HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE NAVAJO COUNCIL CHAMBER IN WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ.
THE COMMITTEE VOTES 4 IN FAVOR, 0 OPPOSED ON ACCEPTING REPORT FROM NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HORTICULTURE DR. KEVIN LOMBARD ON HEALTH GARDENS/HEALTH LIVES PROJECT.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO VOTES 4 IN FAVOR, 9 OPPOSED ON ACCEPTING REPORT FROM THE NAVAJO DIVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF SELF RELIANCE REGARDING THEIR OPPOSITION TO RECOMMENDATION FROM DIVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO REMOVE THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FROM THEIR DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF ALLEGED COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
THE COMMITTEE IS NOW HEARING A REPORT FROM THE NAVAJO NATION VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE ON ITS “HOUSING PROJECT.”
SHIPROCK AGENCY NAV STAFF WALLACE CHARLEY
Seems like we’re going slow but we are putting homes together in a quality way. For Aneth, Utah, we are building 3-bedroom home for young lady who is a veteran. we are in phase 2. the other one is Red Valley. The veteran is wheel chaired bound. The homesite lease is near Shiprock Hospital. We are working at Fruitland, Cudeii, Two Grey Hills, Sanostee. right now the plan is five 3-bedrooms. For shiprock, we are already building those. and we are building 2 2-bedroom and 4 1-bedrooms. if ou look at list, Cudeii and Red Valley have 2 2-bedrooms. But veteran wanted 3-bedroom. We gave veteran 2-bedroom but veteran provided additional funds for 3-bedroom so there will be a total of 7 3-bedroom. The trust fund set aside for us is good. Any changes to that allocation would disrupte our housing plans. The veterans of the Shiprock, NM, Agency oppose any changes.
In Aneth, about a month ago, we are done with phase 1 and going to phase 2.
Home is in Shiprock near hosptial but veteran is from Red Valley.
GadiiAhii, veteran gave 2-bedroom but veteran came up with more than $2,000 so veteran cud have 3-bedroom.
Sanostee is at 20 percent completion.
CHINLE AGENCY NVA STAFF TOM GORMAN
we are proud to build homes for veterans. we are ahead of schedule. we have 3 five man crew in three districts, mainly district 4, district 10, district
Spider Rock, 1-bedroom: 50 percent phase 1,
Chinle, 3 bedroom. 100 percent phase 1, 90 percent phase 2 for female veteran who lost home to fire.
Nazlini, 3-bedroom: phase 1, 100 percent. phase 2, 35 percent.
Many Farms, 2-bedroom: phase 1, 100 percent. phase 2, 80 percent.
Many Farms, 1-bedroom: phase 1, 25 percent.
Lukachukai, 3-bedroom: phase 1, 10 percent.
Tsaile/Wheatfields, 2-bedroom: phase 1, 10 percent.
Tsaile/Wheatfields, 1-bedroom, phase 1, 100 percent, phase 2, 90 percent.
Low Mountain, 1-bedroom, phase 1, 100 percent, phase 2, 90 percent.
Blue Gap, 1-bedroom, phase 1, 100 percent.
Black Mesa, 2-bedroom, phase 1, 80 percent.
Round Rock, 2-bedroom, phase 1, 80 percent.
Pinon, 3-bedroom, phase 1, 80 percent.
FORT DEFIANCE AGENCY NVA STAFF KENDALL LONG
currently we have staff of 13 working on houses, 8 are carpenters and 5 laborers. completed phase 2 in Tohatchi and Twin Lakes. we have veteran being deployed in spring and he hopes to sleep in home before deployment.
EASTERN AGENCY NVA STAFF JOHNNY MARTIN
We have one project manager, 3 carpenters, 3 laborers. we began Feb. 10, 2014 with hiring of staff. we are constructing homes five at a time. footing, foundation, enclosing: 100 percent. we are waiting for electrician. Tohajiilee 100 percent phase 1 and 2. Ojo Encino and Torreon, 100 percent phase 1 and 2. Pinedale completed footing and subfloor. After finish then move to Smith Lake. Church Rock is at 80 percent for footing, foundation, enclosing. Iyabito has 2 houses and at 10 percent. Red Rock, Tselache, Chichiltah, Ramah have houses. Eastern doing good even with small manpower but moving along. we are working with chapter for inkind services. our budget has funds for equipment but chapters volunteering backhoe for foundation. thank chapters. right now just waiting for electrician to be hired and then after wiring then sheet rock homes. In Tohajiilee, chapter dug up and trenched for us and that is for 1-bedroom for veteran living in small hogan. Eastern very supportive of Eastern AGency Veterans Organization, which is very supportive of this housing project.
WESTERN AGENCY SENIOR CARPENTER DONNY PETERMAN
Started slow because people not hired that knew about project. First house, veteran passed away while house under construction, and family will move in. Two veterans Shonto. Chapters are also helping us with equipment and water for cement. I have 14 files reviewed and ready to go in Oljato, Navajo Mountain, Tuba City, Bodaway-Gap, Leupp. have 11-member crew. We are still waiting for equipment. We will roll in next few months. We are doing quality work for these veterans who come around and express appreciation.
NVA DIRECTOR DAVID NEZ
to understand how construction is being done, we have phases. there are four phases and last phase is when everything is done. Home Depot has pre-packaged materials so there needs to be coordination on ground. Phase 1: footing, stem wall, subfloor. Phase 2: exterior and interior walls, roofing, windows and doors. Phase 3: electrical and plumbing installation. Phase 4: punch out, includes drywall, mud and texturing, cabinet, sinks.
Seven bids from Navajo companies for electrical. Two contracts went to Navajo Justice Department and one to Office of Controller this morning. I always follow up on contracts to move along. I hope that once get contract out of NDOJ then get electricians. Fort Defiance and Chinle hired additional crews to make up for lost time.
Some issues and concerns is Project Managers getting hired. We have numerous applicants but because of new qualifications that don’t allow for equivalency, we have to change position to project supervisors. And then there have been problems with bids being too high. We are using force account methods which means we are using tribal financial departments. Hiring of workers started in February but we also needed to deal with rental of equipment, which has become costly. And if four year project, we could have purchased equipment. So we would like permanency. Site preparation projected started in October. Got to construction in March. And now at electrical which will go very quick. Onsite supervision by senior carpenter or project manager who also coordinates delivery of materials.
not part of package are oven rangers, refrigerators, electrical wall heaters.
Q&A:
HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEMBER DELEGATE WALTER PHELPS
thank you for good report. I was little curious about rentals. the cost of rentals, type of equipment renting and average cost of rentals per project. i know you said you preferred purchasing at some point cuz of high rental costs.
NEZ
agency offices invoices show electrical generators for power saws, drills and air compressors so use air guns instead of hammers. also rent backhoes. if had those equipment to remove use of hammers and handsaws then construction move faster.
WALTER PHELPS
now that it is budget season, wud be adding to Navajo VA budget for 2015. i see need but these projects are being administered thru Veterans Trust Fund.
we have contract with Home Depot for 75 homes
