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Navajo Council meeting 10 am, 9.4.20
September 4, 2020 News Articles

Navajo Nation Council having special session today, 9.4.2. It has already stated. It is now 10:50 am and the Council is ready to Vote on Overriding presidential veto. There are two Override bills on new Council agenda. I posted proposed agenda which does not have Legislations 00182-20, OVERRIDE veto of CYJ-62-20; 0198-20 OVERRIDE veto CJY-59-20′ 0197-20 NN CARES Fund Chapter Distribution Expenditure Plan.
Livestream will be available online at:
VIMEO: www.vimeo.com/navajonationcouncil
YouTube: www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil
NNC Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/navajonationcouncil/

Council voted 23 in favor, zero oposed on Legislation 0182-20:

An Action Relating to Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and the Navajo Nation
Council; Overriding the Navajo Nation President’s Veto of Navajo Nation Council Resolution CJY62-20 SPONSOR: Honorable Daniel E. Tso
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Eugenia Charles-Newton

It is now 11 am and the Council is debating LEGISLATION 0197-20: An Action Relating to Resources and Development, Budget and
Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and Navajo Nation Council; Approving and Adopting the Navajo Nation CARES Fund Chapter Distribution Expenditure Plan
SPONSOR: Honorable Mark A. Freeland
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Eugenia Charles-Newton
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon

This is the Second OVERRIDE veto bill: LEGISLATION 0198-20: An Action Relating to Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and the Navajo Nation Council; Overriding the Navajo Nation President’s Veto of Navajo Nation Council Resolution CJY59-20 SPONSOR: Honorable Edmund Yazzie
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Mark Freeland
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona

THE FOLLOWING IS CURRENT DEBATE ON LEGISLATION 0197-20: An Action Relating to Resources and Development, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and Navajo Nation Council; Approving and Adopting the Navajo Nation CARES Fund Chapter Distribution Expenditure Plan (2/3)
SPONSOR: Honorable Mark A. Freeland
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Eugenia Charles-Newton; CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon; CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona

DELEGATE MARK FREELAND
ASKING chapters to help chpaters respond to COVID to ensure Navajo members are adequately protected . this is protectin legislation. Any unspent money after Dec. 30 return to NN CARES fund, not limited to PPEs, theronmeters, work places, wipes, adult pullups, lotions, etc.

DELEGATE AMBER KANABAH CROTTY
Amendment, dec. 30 deadline, for community members not active and move to dec. 1.
Withdraws her Amendment after Dana asks for clarification and clarification would put all unspent CARES money into Hardship Budget for Chapters..

DELEGATE MARK FREELAND
Hopes Rural Addressing gets more funding. We need to overhaul financial resources. Once NGS and Peabody closed, that shud have been alarm.

DELEGATE CARL SLATER
THIS pkg largest with CARES. Seen this week, it will take time. Concern is putting money into system that not set up for quick immediate relief. Our desire is to get to Hogan level as quickly as possible.
I see all of the things spoken about at chapter with selfeshless service of chapter official and volunteers. But concern is size of package.
God willing we have vaccine soon and maybe NN deploy faster than HIS and other sources but won’t have money to buy with this pkg size.

KEE ALLEN BEGAY
Amendment, know on crunch time, but discussed for lengthy amt of time regarding cell and wifi, CJY $15M for non tribal cell carriers. Yesterday we were told by CLC that there no need for documents or budget forms.
Justification that those chaps in dire need of cell service, without cell towers would be priority and at the same time, each cell carrier provide matching fund.
Asking for $15M for our kids doing schooling from home.

CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL DANA BOBROOF
Received 12 minutes ago and stacked up with Amendments. And Kee Allen Begay’s amendment is complicated. Ask for an hour.

DELEGATE KEE ALLEN BEGAY
Ask for same privilege that she gives to other delegates.
DELEGATE OTTO TSO Point of Order
Is there indication that delegates getting special privileges.
SPEAKER SETH DAMON
I Haven’t heard of anyone getting special privileges.
DELEGATE KEE ALLEN BEGAY
I request CLC work with me on this amendment.
SPEAKER SETH DAMON
They said they will.
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL DANA BOBROPF
Nobody getting special treatment. We handle requests as they come in. To move Kee up to top of list and move others down and I will not do that.
DELEGATE KEE ALLEN BEGAY
I didn’t mean to disrupt so apologize and just ask for amendment.

DELEGATE CHARLES NEWTON question of privilege, 11:25 am
Is it proper to ask amendment and if I ask for amendment that my amendment would go before Kee amendment.
SPEAKER SETH DAMON
When we were working on expenditure plan, last three, we did same thing. Delegaes not ready, we went on and came back. Other delegate made amedne ahed of them and ready to go. If not rady to go then move on. So continual process of moving meeting forward otherwise puts on hold.
If your amendment ready, then recognize and precedent set.
DELEGATE CHARLES NEWTON
Want all amendments at one time.
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL DANA BOBROOF
Have three and maybe four if Charles Newton wants her amendment.
DELEGATE CHARLES NEWTON
No, not make amendment. Ask for Proposed Amendments. Have amendments aheard of time.
DELEGATE CROTTY question of privilege
As delegates we make amendment to CLC. What rights do we reserve to make amendments and is up to amending party to disclose those amendments?
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL DANA BOBROOF, 11:35 am
We don’t disclose requests for amendments until submitted to requesting delegate and copy OLS but delegate right to propose or not. We try to keep that info/request between ourselves and delegates until amendments final.

DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES NEWTON
Question I’m receovomg, if not members, students turned 18, not registered voters. Feel registered voters. If received Pandemic assistance, can chapters receive any of these funds?

DELEGATE HERMAN DANIELS
0209-20 uses 50-50 formula but change to 60-30 as suggested by Delegate Yellowhair.

DELEGATE MARK FREELAND
There is no requirement to be chapter member, registered voters. We have to start spending. $714M and hate return $500M. We got to start spending and emphasize to non voting membership and those in urban areas.
When spoke to Crownpoint members, they asked if not registered then no food boxes. Some not registered cuz not from crowpoint or chapters they living in so asked to register.
It is humanitarian legislation to help those in dire need. The whole intent is to sped and if amend to include urban population then I support. SLC, Flag, Gallup, Farmington, Albuquerque, etc.
Also emphasize, we have to also think of those who have tested positive. I dk if getting help at home. CHRs doing best.
Backhoe: written in expenditure plan to include chapters with backhoe. Unfortunate have to put in there. Crownpoint had lot of burials but no back hoe and ask other chapters to use their back hoe.

DELEGATE DANIEL TSO, 11:50 am
Council needs to order development
No budiness unit or budgets for which the Council has approved. Maybe time develop independent office. And with the adoption of this legislation, MOTION for directive to develop NN CARES Act Office. They would be empowered to make sure as much as possible that we spend CARES Act money.

SPEAKER DAMON
As early as Tuesday, have Leadership Meeting with President, Chief Justice regarding spending of CARES money. Will bring up. But need to know what initiatives this Office would have and speak with Navajo Justice Department and Navajo Council Chief Legislative Counsel.

DELEGATE CROTTY
Want to make amendment to include Broadband assistance to families for wife/internet.
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL BOBROOF
Nothing to prevent spending CARES dollars on Broadband but not specifically mentioned.
ADD Broadband and telecommunications needs and equipment.
CROTTY – DANIEL TSO holding motion for Amendment.

DELEGATE RAYMOND SMITH
Is CMY 44 20 suppose to be included? I am asking because OPVP goes thru Council actions with fine tooth comb and will use the smallest discrepancy to line item veto Council legislation to get COVID relief aid to chapters.
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL BOBROOF
Shud not be in Hardship Legislation so delegate reference to CMY 44 20.
DELEGATE SMITH
Add homes as another use for CARES money so chapters could use for homes.
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL BOBROOF
Would language, “home improvements” be what Delegate Smith asking for.
DELEGAT SLATER
ADD language to include “new construction.” The Council focused on water as priority but housing shud have been.
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL BOBROOF
Construction has to be fully constructed by Dec. 30.
But to make clear then add this language, “housing that can be completed by Dec. 30.”
DELEGATE SLATER
Withdrawing motion because covered by language already in legislation.
DELEGATE CHARLENE TSO
There are water infrastructure projects but specifically include water heaters, solar repairds. I have many families in my district that have solar but no means repair cuz costly.

APPROVED AGENDA OF THE
24th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL
SPECIAL SESSION – VIA TELECONFERENCE, September 4, 2020, 10:00 AM, Window Rock, Navajo Nation (AZ)

PRESIDING: Honorable Seth Damon, Speaker, 24th Navajo Nation Council

  1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION
  2. RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS TO THE NAVAJO NATION
  3. REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
    (m) Honorable Eugenia Charles Newton (s) Honorable Eugene Tso (v) 23 – 00
  4. REPORTS: NONE
  5. OLD BUSINESS: NONE
  6. NEW BUSINESS:
    (A) LEGISLATION 0182-20: An Action Relating to Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and the Navajo Nation Council; Overriding the Navajo Nation President’s Veto of Navajo Nation Council Resolution CJY-62-20 (2/3) SPONSOR: Honorable Daniel E. Tso

CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Eugenia Charles-Newton
(m) (s) (v)
(B) LEGISLATION 0197-20: An Action Relating to Resources and Development, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and Navajo Nation Council; Approving and Adopting the Navajo Nation CARES Fund Chapter Distribution Expenditure Plan (2/3)
SPONSOR: Honorable Mark A. Freeland
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Eugenia Charles-Newton
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona

CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Vince James
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Charlaine Tso
(m) (s) (v)
(C) LEGISLATION 0198-20: An Action Relating to Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and the Navajo Nation Council; Overriding the Navajo Nation President’s Veto of Navajo Nation Council Resolution CJY-59-20 (2/3) SPONSOR: Honorable Edmund Yazzie

CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Mark A. Freeland
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona
(m) (s) (v)
(D) LEGISLATION 0164-20: An Action Relating to Resources and Development Committee; Naabik’íyáti’ Committee, and the Navajo Nation Council; Requesting the National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Extend the Termination Date of the Quadrilateral Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding Dated September 16, 1994, and Bridge
Agreement Dated January 13, 2003 SPONSOR: Honorable Paul Begay

CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Herman M. Daniels, Jr.
(m) (s) (v)
(E) LEGISLATION 0215-20: An Action Relating to Budget and Finance and Naabik’íyáti’Committees and Navajo Nation Council; Accepting the Audit Report of Moss Adams on the Basic Financial Statements of the Navajo Nation for Fiscal Year 2019

SPONSOR: Honorable Jamie Henio
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon
(m) (s) (v)

  1. CLOSE OF SESSION; ANNOUNCEMENTS; ADJOURNMENT

Livestream will be available online at:
VIMEO: www.vimeo.com/navajonationcouncil
YouTube: www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil
NNC Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/navajonationcouncil/

PROPOSED AGENDA OF THE
24th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL
SPECIAL SESSION – VIA TELECONFERENCE
September 4, 2020
10:00 AM
Window Rock, Navajo Nation (AZ)

PRESIDING: Honorable Seth Damon, Speaker, 24th Navajo Nation Council

  1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION
  2. RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS TO THE NAVAJO NATION
  3. REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
    (m) (s) (v)
  4. REPORTS: NONE
  5. OLD BUSINESS: NONE
  6. NEW BUSINESS
    (A) LEGISLATION 0164-20: An Action Relating to Resources and Development Committee;
    Naabik’íyáti’ Committee, and the Navajo Nation Council; Requesting the National Park Service,
    Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Extend the Termination Date of the
    Quadrilateral Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding Dated September 16, 1994, and Bridge
    Agreement Dated January 13, 2003 SPONSOR: Honorable Paul Begay
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Herman M. Daniels, Jr.
    (m) (s) (v)
    (B) LEGISLATION 0215-20: An Action Relating to Budget and Finance and Naabik’íyáti’
    Committees and Navajo Nation Council; Accepting the Audit Report of Moss Adams on the Basic
    Financial Statements of the Navajo Nation for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pending Referral from
    Naabik’iyati’ Committee) SPONSOR: Honorable Jamie Henio
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon
    (m) (s) (v)
    Page 2 of 2
  7. CLOSE OF SESSION; ANNOUNCEMENTS; ADJOURNMENT
    THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE: The public is advised that the Navajo Nation Council Agenda and the Agendas of the Standing Committees are
    not final until adopted by a majority vote of the Navajo Nation Council or the Standing Committee at a Navajo Nation Council or a Standing Committee
    meeting pursuant to 2 N.N.C. §§163 and 183, Navajo Nation Council Rule of Order No. 7, and Standing Committee Rule of Order No. 8.
    Livestream will be available online at:
    VIMEO: www.vimeo.com/navajonationcouncil
    YouTube: www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil
    NNC Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/navajonationcouncil/
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