Greetings Relatives/Frens/Humans, The Navajo Council called another Special Session to address Legislation 0086-22, which seeks Council approval of a $1.07 Billion ARPA spending package developed by Navajo President Jonathan Nez & Vice President Myron Lizer. The Nez&Lizer $1.07B ARPA proposal cannot get Council approval. Nez&lizer presented their $1.07B proposal last year and since then the Council has repeatedly asked for DETAILED LINE ITEM BUDGETS & the LOCATIONS of Where ARPA funds will be spent. Nez&lizer refused to give info on Who is Getting ARPA FUNDED Homes, Bathroom Additions, Electrical Connections, Water Line Connections, ETC, ETC…
An alternative to the Nez&lizer $1.07B ARPA proposal/Legislation 0086-22, is 0087-22, which Navajo Council Delegates Amber Kanazbah Crotty, Eugenia Charles-Newton, and Carl R. Slater are sponsorng. Legislation 0087-22 seeks Council approval of the allocation of $1.07 Billion of Navajo ARPA for Regional and Chapter Projects, and the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Regional and Chapter Projects Expenditure Plan.
During the Council debate to adopt its agenda, which only had Legislation 0086-22, the Council voted 12 in favor, 9 opposed on Adding Legislation 0087-22 to its agenda.
The Council approved its agenda, which I will post as soon as it is available.
It is 11:47 am, Navajo Council Budget & Finance Committee member Amber Kanazbah Crotty requests the Project Listing in Legislation 0086-22 from Resources & Development Committee member Mark Freeland. Crotty noted that she has been asking for the $1.07 Billion in Projects since April. Freeland says the Project Listing will be sent to Council immediately.
Freeland adds that his agents are Prez Nez & Chief of Staff Paulsen Chaco, former Navajo Dept of Transportation director.
It is 12:08 pm, 6.13.22, Navajo Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty challenged Speaker Damon’s decision to not go back to her amendment to morph Legislation 0086-22 into 0087-22 because the Council ran out of time and so there was no vote.
Delegate Carl Slater says that every time where Council adjourned while in debate, the Council returned to its debate and not amendments that were not voted on.
Budget & Finance Committee Vice Chairman Raymond Smith can’t remember if he’s supporting 0086-22/nez&lizer proposal or 0087-22, Crotty&Charles-Newton-Slater proposal.
It is 12:30 pm, 6.13.22, and Budget & Finance Committee member Amber Kanazbah Crotty explains that she is challenging Speaker Damon’s decision to not acknowledge that she still had Time to Debate her Amendment and that her Amendment doesn’t exist anymore, which she says Damon is basing on a precedence and not actual Council rules.
Crotty adds that the legislative advice supporting Damon used the Council removal of then Controller Pearline Kirk. When Council ceased debate on their Removal of Controller Pearline Kirk without voting because time was running out, there was no precedence regarding a Legal Amendment that was Seconded & Debated on because the Council’s debate on the Removal of Kirk ended without an Amendment and so when the Council took up its Legislation to Remove Kirk after running out of time, there was no Amendment being debated.
I am asking to Reclaim my Time and put 0086-22 back in order. There have been discrepancies in Legal & Legislative Advice because the advice is not written. I will not allow speaker to take my time without my consent.
Resources & Development Committee Chairman Rickie Nez says he supports Crotty.
Delegate Kee Allen Begay says that Delegates Mark Freeland and Raymond Smith keep saying that the Dine’ need the projects proposed for funding in 0086-22, but he needs the Project Listing because his communities currently are not in the nez&lizer $1.07B ARPA proposal, which is why he is asking for project location, project dollar amount, project line-item budgets.
It is 1:46 pm, 6.13.22, and B&F Committee member Crotty says challenge is about how Council conducts it Sessions, what Adjournment means. This is first time, in known history, that during an amendment, an adjournment motion made. Was there a directive? What is the impact on Amendment that was motioned, seconded, and was being debated when Council ran out of time. So how would Delegates want the speaker to proceed? Reclaim time? At no time did I give up my time.
Speaker Damon says Green supports Challenge by Crotty and Red supports Speaker.
The Council votes 19 in favor, 2 opposed so Crotty wins her Challenge.
The Unofficial voting tally is:
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown Green; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty Green; Herman M. Daniels Jr. Green; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Green; Rickie Nez Green; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr. Red; Wilson Stewart Jr. Green; Otto Tso Green; Charlaine Tso Green; Daniel Tso EXCUSED; Eugene Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green Edison Wauneka Red; Edmund Yazzie NoVote; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.
It is 2 pm, 6.13.22, and the Council votes 13 in favor, 9 opposed on 0087-22, which is the $1.07 Billion ARPA spending proposal by Delegates Crotty, Charles-Newton & Slater. Speaker Damon says 16 Yes votes are needed & so 0087-22 failed to get 16 Yes votes.
The Unofficial Council voting tally:
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Red; Nathaniel Brown Green; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty Green; Herman M. Daniels Jr. Red; Mark Freeland Red; Pernell Halona Red; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Green; Rickie Nez Green; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr. Red; Wilson Stewart Jr. Red; Otto Tso Green; Charlaine Tso Green; Daniel Tso EXCUSED; Eugene Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Red; Edison Wauneka Red; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair Red.
Speaker Damon recognizes Crotty’s question about whether 16 votes were needed to pass her legislation 0087-22.
Chief Legislative Counsel Dana Bobroof, says ARPA resolution CJY 41-21 mandates that all ARPA legislation requires 2/3 approval vote by Council, which is 16 Yes votes.
It is 2:57, 6.13.22, and the Council recessed to work on Huge Amendment to nez&lizer $1.07 Billion ARPA spending plan. Council scheduled to return at 3:30 pm, 6.13.22.
It’s 7:15 pm, 6.13.22, and the Navajo Council adjourned without approving a $1.07 Billion ARPA/American Rescue Plan Act spending plan due to Incomplete or zero Reports/Documents/Project Listings/Budgets submitted by President Nez & Vice President Lizer to the Navajo Council, which directed Speaker Damon to make a formal request to Nez & Lizer for documents.
After the Council adjourned, Damon informed them that there would be a special Two-Day Council Session on Legislation 0086-22/Nez&lizer $1.07B ARPA spending proposal.
Damon urged the Council to work with the Office of Chief Legislative Services on their proposed amendments to 0086-22 and to have them ready before the two-day special session in two weeks.
The Council decision to adjourn was made after Chief Legislative Counsel Dana Bobroof reported to the Council at about 7 pm that she was working on Five Amendments to 0086-22.
APPROVED AGENDA OF THE 24th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION, Monday, June 13, 2022, 9 AM (DST), Navajo Nation Council Chambers, Window Rock, Navajo Nation (AZ)
Call-in Number: (669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 928 871 7160
Passcode: 86515
Livestream will be available online at:
VIMEO: www.vimeo.com/navajonationcouncil
YouTube: www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil
NNC Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/navajonationcouncil/
PRESIDING: Honorable Seth Damon, Speaker, 24th Navajo Nation Council
- CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION
- RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS TO THE NAVAJO NATION
- REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
(m) Hon. Raymond Smith, Jr. (s) Hon. Jimmy Yellowhair (v) 21-1 (snv) - REPORTS: NONE
- OLD BUSINESS:
A. LEGISLATION 0086-22: An Action Relating to the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and Navajo Nation Council; Allocating $1,070,298,867 of Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Funds; Approving the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Expenditure Plans for: Chapter Assistance; Public Safety Emergency Communications, E911, and Rural Addressing Projects; Cyber Security; Public Health Projects; Economic Development Projects; Hardship Assistance; Water and Wastewater Projects; Broadband Projects; Home Electricity Connection and Electricity Capacity Projects; Housing Projects and Manufactured Housing Facilities; Bathroom Addition Projects; Construction Contingency Funding; and Reduced Administrative Funding (2/3)
SPONSOR: Honorable Mark A. Freeland
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Wilson C. Stewart, Jr.
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Edison J. Wauneka
(m) Hon. Edmund Yazzie (s) Hon. Wilson C. Stewart, Jr. (v)
5/13/2022 – The Navajo Nation Council adjourned at 5:15 pm before acting on Legislation 0086-22; therefore, legislation remains with the Navajo Nation Council. - NEW BUSINESS:
A. LEGISLATION 0063-22: An Act Relating to the Resources and Development, Health, Education and Human Services, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and to the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $1,600,000 Out of the Síhasin Fund to Cover the Funding Shortfall for the Ganado Chapter Senior & Veterans Center Project; Reapproving the Related Expenditure Plan Pursuant to 12 N.N.C. § 2501 – § 2508 (2/3)
SPONSOR: Honorable Vince R. James
(m) (s) (v)
B. LEGISLATION 0060-22: An Act Relating to the Health, Education, and Human Services, Resources and Development, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $4,000,000 from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (“UUFB”) for the 110 Navajo Nation Chapters’ Summer 2022 Youth Employment Programs; Waiving 12 N.N.C. § 820(E), § 820(F), § 820(J), and § 820(L) to Allow Use of UUFB Funds for Recurring Chapter Expenses (2/3)
SPONSOR: Honorable Eugene Tso
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Mark A. Freeland
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Carl R. Slater
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Raymond Smith, Jr.
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Wilson C. Stewart, Jr.
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Daniel E. Tso
(m) (s) (v)
C. LEGISLATION 0087-22: An Action Relating to the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and Navajo Nation Council; Allocating $1,070,298,867 of Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Funds for Regional and Chapter Projects; Approving the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Regional and Chapter Projects Expenditure Plan (2/3)
SPONSOR: Honorable Amber Kanazbah Crotty
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Eugenia Charles-Newton
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Carl R. Slater
(m) (s) (v) - CLOSE OF SESSION; ANNOUNCEMENTS; ADJOURNMENT
PROPOSED AGENDA OF THE 24th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION, Monday, June 13, 2022, 9 AM (DST), Navajo Nation Council Chambers, Window Rock, Navajo Nation (AZ)
Call-in Number: (669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 928 871 7160
Passcode: 86515
Livestream will be available online at:
VIMEO: www.vimeo.com/navajonationcouncil
YouTube: www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil
NNC Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/navajonationcouncil/
PRESIDING: Seth Damon, Speaker, 24th Navajo Nation Council
- CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION
- RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS TO THE NAVAJO NATION
- REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
(m) (s) (v) - REPORTS: NONE
- OLD BUSINESS:
A. LEGISLATION 0086-22: An Action Relating to the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and Navajo Nation Council; Allocating $1,070,298,867 of Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Funds; Approving the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Expenditure Plans for: Chapter Assistance; Public Safety Emergency Communications, E911, and Rural Addressing Projects; Cyber Security; Public Health Projects; Economic Development Projects; Hardship Assistance; Water and Wastewater Projects; Broadband Projects; Home Electricity Connection and Electricity Capacity Projects; Housing Projects and Manufactured Housing Facilities; Bathroom Addition Projects; Construction Contingency Funding; and Reduced Administrative Funding
SPONSOR: Honorable Mark A. Freeland
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Wilson C. Stewart, Jr.
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Edison J. Wauneka
(m) Hon. Edmund Yazzie (s) Hon. Wilson C. Stewart, Jr. (v)
5/13/2022 – The Navajo Nation Council adjourned at 5:15 pm before acting on Legislation 0086-22; therefore, legislation remains with the Navajo Nation Council. - NEW BUSINESS: NONE
- 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.
