OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Land, Natural Resources and Cultural Preservation Committee meeting was held on June 7 at the Mound Building, which was closed to the public but live-streamed on www.mcnnc.com.
All passed legislation is subject to full council approval during the regular session.
LNC addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 22-089 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Program contract for the MCN Conservation District. Representative Galen Cloud sponsors the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
MCN Conservation is seeking to construct a High Tunnel System at the Morris Indian Community Center to cover and protect crops from the sun, wind, excessive rainfall, or cold to extend the growing season in an environmentally safe manner. Funds of $9,999 are available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentive Program.
TR 22-090 Authorizing the Principal Chief to accept property donated, acquire all necessary documents and place property into trust. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the resolution, which was passed 4-0. ‘
Bob Arrington has donated 40 acres in Creek Co. through his will and trust documents which will be used for agriculture.
TR 22-091 Authorizing the Principal Chief to accept property donated, acquire all necessary documents and place property into trust. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
Bob Arrington has donated 40 acres in Creek Co. through his will and trust documents which will be used for agriculture.
TR 22-092 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Association of Conservation Districts for the benefit of the MCN Conservation District. Rep. Charles McHenry sponsored the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
Grant funds of $50,000 will be used to identify citizens and MCN communities in urban areas who currently need or desire to create a garden and assist the citizens and communities in creating a garden while implementing conservation practices.
TR 22-093 Amending TR 21-098 (Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a specific agreement between Expedition Properties, LLC and the MCN Department of Health) Authorizing the Principal Chief to place property into trust. Rep. Charles McHenry sponsored the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
Amendment will allow the property to be placed in trust.
TR 22-096 Amending TR 21-019 (Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract and related documents for the purchase of property in Okmulgee) to correctly reflect the entire property that was purchased by the Nation. Rep. McHenry sponsored the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
Amendment needed to identify the entire property.
TR 22-097 Amending TR 19-062 (Authorizing the Principal Chief to purchase property located in McIntosh Co.) to correctly reflect the Nation’s intended use for the tract of land. Rep. Darrell Proctor sponsors the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
Amendment will describe the usage of land correctly. It will be used for a parking lot.
TR 22-098 Amending TR 04-021 (Authorizing the Principal Chief to negotiate for and purchase restricted property in Okmulgee Co., located on the western boundary of the Nation’s tribal headquarters in Okmulgee) to correctly reflect the Nation’s intended use for the tract of land. Rep. Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsors the resolution, which passed 4-0.
Amendment will describe land usage correctly; it will be for continued use as a cemetery.
TR 22-099 Authorizing the Principal Chief to renew a U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Business Lease between the Nation and U.S. Cellular to use an existing cellular tower located on the Nations’ Eufaula Dormitory site. Rep. Proctor sponsors the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
U.S. Cellular proposed a 15 years Business Leases for 0.05739 acres of tribal trust property with access and utility easement located at the Dorm site for the purpose of a cellular tower.
TR 22-100 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Purchase Sale Agreement for the property located in Hughes, Co. Rep. Cloud sponsors the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
Properties and facilities will be used to benefit the Nation for additional office space, including a courthouse.
TR 22-102 Approving the commercial sale of real estate contract for the MCN Department of Housing. Rep. Proctor sponsors the resolution, which was passed 4-0.
The total cost for purchasing six duplexes and three vacant lots in Sand Springs is $2,688,000, to be paid with the Indian Community Development Block Grant-American Rescue Plan Act.
NCA 22-069 Authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for the benefit of the Department of Interior Affairs for the MCN Tribal Complex Drainage Project. Rep. Cloud sponsors the Act, which was passed 4-0.
MCN received federal funds (ARPA) of $424,351,068.50. The Interim Final Guidance outlines eligible uses for a broad range of necessary investments in projects that improve access to clean drinking water and wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
At the west edge of the complex adjacent to Hwy 75, the drainage ditch has not been maintained and has eroded to the point that existing utilities have become exposed and are at risk of damage. Interior Affairs will work with ODOT, and construction will be in conjunction with Complex Master Plan Project. Total budget cost, $3,278,568.
NCA 22-070 Authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for the benefit of the Tiny Homes Program. Rep. Cloud sponsors the Act, which was passed 4-0.
MCN received federal funds (ARPA) of $424,351,068.50. The Interim Final Guidance encourages the Nation to facilitate access to resources that improve health outcomes, including services that connect residents with health care resources and public assistance.
The Tiny Homes Project needs operational and maintenance funding in the amount of $353,200 to provide and support housing for elderly citizens who experience short-term homelessness.
NCA 22-072 Approving the FY 2023 Indian Housing Plan. Rep. McHenry sponsors the Act, which was passed 4-0.
The NAHASDA Indian Housing Block Grant funding requires a tribal-approved plan to be submitted to HUD for approval of compliance at least 75 days before the end of the Fiscal Year.
NCA 22-073 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the National Association of Conservation Districts for the benefit of the MCN Conservation District. Rep. McHenry sponsors the Act, which was passed 4-0.
The grant was awarded based on a match of $15,318 from the current appropriated budgets. Grant funds of $50,000 will be used to identify better citizens and MCN communities in urban areas who currently have a need or desire to create a garden and assist the citizens and communities in creating a garden while implementing conservation practices.
NCA 22-074 Appropriating funds to be used toward the Purchase of Property located in Hughes Co. Rep. Cloud sponsors the Act, which was passed and forwarded to BFJ, 4-0.
The owner is asking $300,000 for the property. Other associated costs with the purchase include tax, title, surveys and studies.
The meeting can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
