HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE NAVAJO COUNCIL CHAMBER IN WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ, WHERE COMMITTEE IS HEARING A REPORT FROM THE NAVAJO VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE ON THE STATUS OF ITS CONSTRUCTION OF 75 HOMES FOR NAVAJO VETERANS.
HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEMBER DELEGATE KENNETH MARYBOY
a unique thing here is that we have Home Depot on board. and i’d like to also say that this construction project would probably move faster if we could move Navajo Office of Management and Budgets faster.
HEHS COMMITTEE VICE CHAIRPERSON DELEGATE CHARLES DAMON II
perhaps the NVA could look at cost savings by collecting data how the cost of all these small contracts for rentals.
HEHS COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON JONATHAN HALE
the process for 2014 budget for operation of tribal government has started and there is a request from the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee on continued funding for this construction of homes for veterans and also funding of modular homes for veterans in the Eastern part of the Navajo Reservation.
HEHS COMMITTEE MEMBER DELEGATE PHELPS
NVA Nez said he wanted Home Depot representative to speak. But knowing contract with Home Depot is from one Home Deport in Farmington, N.M., and to make delivery to Bird Springs and Tolani Lake which is about 4 hours from Farmington, how much is that delivery cost? And there are Home Depots in Flagstaff, Ariz., which is closer to some areas. And also Ramah is closer to Home Depot in Gallup, NM. And Tohajiilee is closer to Albuquerque Home Depot.
HEHS CHAIRPERSON HALE
I also suggested that NVA ask for waiver of tribal taxes to save funds. Let’s waive taxes and find out if those saving cud be used to buy home appliances for some veterans.
NVA DIRECTOR NEZ
Staff gave me these figures: $12,700 to rent and to buy would be $8,000
HOME DEPOT REPRESENTATIVE LUCERO
delivery costs are distributed among stores and that is large step forward. we jsut met with Flagstaff store and we put this project in that store to expedite delivery and relieve pressure on getting deliveries on schedule. but incidences, truck broke down on road to Pinedale and set back time schedule. right now i am delivering 8-10 a week, Monday to Saturdays. use two trucks and takes some pressure off. other obstacles, one agency bills little different that other agency and so we have to make sure that agencies get correct deliveries. original deliveries changed also regarding cement because of weight but able to overcome. we commuicate any issues such as trucks breaking down very quickly. and we bought out some of the materials from our vendors with Home Depot. delivery costs built into budget so if go to shiprock or oljaito, there is no overbudgets. i would like to ask Council to come to Home Depot to see special set-aside for materials for Navajo and no one can purchase. we have room with info on five agencies. we also have spread sheet from main office about montly expenditures. we sent out individual itemized bill. nothing done until get approval from Nez and agencies before make deliveries. i am scheduled all this month and into next month. but we are bringing on other stores. we just didn’t want to give to stores and hope they do what we are doing. so test is Flagstaff Home Depot.
HEHS COMMITTEE MBMBER DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON
happy to see progress and recommendations being provided is for participation of veterans in construction.
