NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL IN SPECIAL SESSION TODAY, JUNE 6, 2014, BECAUSE COUNCIL LOST QUORUM ON MAY 30, 2014, AND DIDN’T FINISH ITS AGENDA. THERE ARE THREE ITEMS ON TODAY’S AGENDA. THE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED TWO OF THE THREE ITEMS.
The Council temporarily tabled LEGISLATION 0102-14, which is for the Council to appropriate $5 million for 110 chapters. Council approved three amendments to 0102-14 before losing quorum on May 30, 2014. The three amendments were for $1 million for veterans’ financial assistance, the attachment of all supporting chapter resolutions to 0102-14, and $3 million for summer jobs for college and high school students.
When the Council temporarily tabled 0102-14 today, Katherine Benally made an amendment #4 to increase $5 million to $15 million, after financial documents for amendment #3, which was $3 million for summer employment for college students and high school students at the 110 chapters, were still unavailable. The Council had approved Amendment #3 with a vote of 11 in favor, 1 opposed. Amendment #3 was $3 m. for 110 chapters for college and high school students’ summer jobs.
Council approved $15 million and now Council back to attaching budget documents for Amendment #5 – $3 million for summer employment for college and high school students.
15 in favor, 0 opposed on Amendment 5.
DELEGATE KENNETH MARYBOY
Amendment #6, an additional $10 million for 110 chapters.
OFFICE OF CONTROLLER
MINUS $9.5 MILLION IN RESERVES.
DELEGATE KENNETH MARYBOY
Amend #6 to make $9 million, instead of $10 million.
DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE
I thought Council practice was for Delegates to be prepared when making amendment.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
If the tribal financial staff were keeping Council updated instead of just sitting there looking pretty then we’d be prepared.
COUNCIL CALLS FOR VOTE ON AMENDMENT #6 FOR ADDITIONAL $10 M. FOR 110 CHAPTERS, KNOWING THAT THE ADDITIONAL $10 M. WILL PUT THE TRIBAL RESERVES IN A DEFICIT OF $9.5 M.
VOTE 4 IN FAVOR, 11 OPPOSED ON AMENDMENT #6.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
I suggest we do financial forms because I realize those of you that made agreement with President Shelly and so not really for people.
DELEGATE JONATHAN HALE
Conduct throws everything out. Be respectful of amendments that went through proper process.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
I have Constitution to speak and if i hit guilt spot then i extend no apology. i asked to allow Delegate Kenneth Maryboy to amend amendment. Our chapters are pleading with us. And if the council is unwilling to allow Delegate Maryboy to amend his amendment then the Council should vote down 0102-14.
DELGATE KENNETH MARYBOY
my colleagues i ask for your support. my community is in desparate need of thse funds and i don’t know if your chapter is also in need.
AMENDMENT ONE: $1 MILLION FOR VETERANS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
AMENDMENT TWO: INCLUDE CHAPTER SUPPORTING RESOLUTIONS
AMENDMENT THREE: $3 MILLION FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT FOR COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND SPEND FUNDS BY FOURTH QUARTER
AMENDMENT FOUR: $15 MILLION TO REPLACE $5 MILLION FOR 110 CHAPTERS
AMENDMENT FIVE: ATTACHING BUDGET FORMS FOR AMENDMENT #3, $3 M. FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT FOR COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
VOTE ON 0102-14 WITH FIVE AMENDMENTS, AT 1:32 PM
8 in favor, 7 opposed
COUNCIL ADJOURNS AT 1:33 P.M.
