OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Emergency Session meeting was held in person and via teleconference on June 14 at the Mound Building.
The National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 22-104 – Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), 2022 COPS Hiring Program (CHP) Grant Program for the Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 15-0.
If the Nation is awarded the grant, the National Council will commit $662,674.00 for a 25% match plus indirect costs. The grant will allow the Nation to hire 16 new police officers for the MCN Lighthorse Police Department.
TR 22-105 – Confirming the nomination of Christopher Combs to serve on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Public Gaming Commission. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill, which passed 14-1. Representative Anna Marshall was the lone dissent.
Principal Chief David Hill nominated Combs. His term will begin upon confirmation and is set to expire June 30, 2026.
NCA 22-077 – A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department for the CAD System Replacement and Health and Safety monitors to staff the closed-circuit television center. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 15-0.
The ARPA funds will be expended in the amount of $2,117,085.00. The funds will be used for remote work equipment, dispatch system capabilities, and digital workflows.
NCA 22-078 – A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of funds for opioid overdose prevention in tribal communities from the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board, Oklahoma Tribal Epidemiology for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 15-0.
Funds from the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board will be expended in the amount of $90,000. The funds will be used to provide culturally appropriate training and technical assistance in coordinating care and linking people to treatment services.
NCA 22-079 – A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Utility Authority Operating Funds. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 15-0.
ARPA Funds will be expended in the amount of $2,626,279.25. The funds will be used for adequate staffing to plan, develop, propose, implement and manage broadband and related utility projects to the benefit and interests of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
NCA 22-080 – A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for premium pay for heightened risk due to COVID-19 to Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Employees for the Fiscal Year 2022. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which passed as amended unanimously 15-0.
The expenditure from the fund will be $5,685,004.79. All tribal employees, both full-time and part-time that are off probation will be eligible for a one-time premium payment. Full-time employees will receive a $2,000 payment. Part-time employees will receive a $1,000 payment.
The payments are in response to essential tribal employees who have performed work during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The meeting, agenda, and full legislation can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
Just wondering why the casinos are excluded because we also work for the tribe as well 🤔 we are exposed every single day probably more so than others just wondering why we would be excluded