By: Jerome Clark Dec. 22, 2011

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Resources & Development Committee meeting held their regular meeting in the Navajo Nation Council Chambers on December 20.

Eleven (11) legislations and two (2) reports were received by the Committee during their meeting.

The Committee considered legislation 0476-11, which approved the assignment of 4.78 acres of Navajo Nation trust lands for use by the Navajo Nation Childcare and Development Fund Program.

The assignment of land will allow the Navajo Nation Childcare and Development Fund Program to construct, operate, and maintain the Childhood Services in Tuba City, Arizona. The primary sponsor of the legislation was Council Delegate Joshua Lavar Butler.

The Committee passed the legislation with no amendments; four (4) in favor and zero (0) opposed.

The Committee also considered legislation 0468-11, which confirmed Paul Madison’s appointment to serve on the Black Mesa Review Board for a four year term. The primary sponsor of the legislation was Council Delegate Jonathan Hale but it was presented by secondary sponsor Council Delegate Jonathan Nez.

The Committee passed the legislation with no amendments; three (3) in favor and zero (0) opposed.

The Committee also considered legislation 0480-11, which would approve the submission of a U.S. Environmental Protection Cooperative Agreement to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for $476,570.00.

The federal grant award, which will have no Navajo Nation match and begins on October 1, 2011 and ends on September 30, 2013, will continue to fund the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program. The primary sponsor of the legislation was Council Delegate Roscoe D. Smith.

The Committee passed the legislation with no amendments; three (3) in favor and zero (0) opposed.

The Committee also considered legislation 0450-11, which will amend 6 N.N.C. §606(A)(B). The legislation concerns Council Delegate membership on the Navajo Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and amends the oversight committee as designated in Title 2 of the Navajo Nation Code. The primary sponsor of the legislation was Speaker Johnny Naize.

The Committee passed the legislation with no amendments; three (3) in favor and zero (0) opposed.

The Committee also passed five other legislations; tabled legislation 0481-11 at the request of the sponsor; and took no actions on legislation 0478-11—it will be on the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

The Resources & Development Committee also received reports from Libby Valteau (Acting Director DED-RBDO) on the status of construction ready projects and Tony Perry (Director DED-Project Development Department) on the status of commercial and industrial projects.

The following committee members were present at the regular meeting: Katherine Benally (Chairperson), Roscoe Smith (Vice Chairperson), George Apachito, Leonard Pete, and David L. Tom.

The next Resources & Development Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for 10:00 AM on December 27, 2011 at the Pinon Chapter House.