Before the meeting convened on January 5th Ron Red Elk was sworn in as Vice-Chairman by Chairman Coffey.  Congratulates Mr. Red Elk.

Meeting held at the Comanche Code Talker meeting room in the Education Building at the Complex.

Call to Order at about 10:11 a.m.

Roll Call: Coffey, Red Elk, Tahhahwah Jr., Mahseet, Asepermy, Bigbee & Narcomey present. 

Prayer by Coffey

Motion to recess and reconvene at 1 p.m. January 8th, passed 6-0 (the motion was made due to the funeral of Howard Whitewolf at 11 a.m. on January 5th and the CBC agenda books were not distributed in a timely manner).

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Meeting reconvened on January 8, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. at the same location.

Roll Call: Coffey, Red Elk, Mahseet, Asepermy, Bigbee & Narcomey present (Tahhahwah arrived about 1:45 p.m.)

Invocation by Raymond Laurenzana

December minutes, approved 5-0

Resolution 01-08 Renewal of 638 contract, passed 5-0 (this is a multi-year contract for the Aid-to-Tribal Government Program under P.L. 93-638 to begin January 2008 and end December 2010).

02-08 Enrollment list no. 715 eligible, passed 6-0 (this approves the enrollment of thirty-seven (37) new Nation members).

03-08 Enrollment list no. 716 ineligible, passed 6-0 (this denies enrollment of six (6) applicants due to enrollment with another tribe and/or applicants received monetary benefits for another tribe).

04-08 Enrollment list no. 717 ineligible, passed 6-0 (this denies enrollment of four (4) applicants due to not meeting the 1/8 blood degree).

05-08 Enrollment list no. 718 ineligible, passed 6-0 (this denies enrollment of one (1) applicant due relinquishment of membership in 1991).

NOTE:  According to the December monthly report from Enrollment there are now 14,082 enrolled Comanche Nation members.
 
06-08 Education request to enter into multiyear contract to consolidate Adult Education, passed 6-0  (this request the BIA to enter into a multiyear contract to consolidate Adult Education, Job Placement and Higher Education Programs into a Consolidated Tribal Government Program (CTGP) under the P.L. 96-638 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act).

07-08 Distribution of approved funding for cemetery improvements of “Comanche” cemeteries, passed 6-0 (this identifies Cache Creek Cemetery west of Apache; West Cache Creek Cemetery aka “Tombstone” west of Cache; Deyo Cemetery Southwest of Lawton; Post Oak Cemetery in Indiahoma, Little Washita Cemetery east of Fletcher and Mount Scott Intertribal Cemetery on Gore Cap Road as “Comanche” cemeteries and directs the Tribal Administrator to present three bids from reputable lawn service companies to the CBC by the February, 2008 meeting with the bids not to exceed the Tribal Council approved funding of $60,000 for Cemetery Improvements.  The approved contract will begin on April 1, 2008 and expire on October 1, 2008 and will include upkeep and improvements to the above cemeteries – the “Airport” and Otipoby cemeteries on Fort Sill were added to the list).

08-08 Increase of Bereavement payments, passed 6-0 (this would increase the bereavement payments to $200.00 for Nation members living within the seven county service area; to $350.00 for Nation members living outside the seven county service but within the state of Oklahoma and $500.00 to Nation members living outside the state of Oklahoma).  NOTE:  The CBC directed an increase to $100.00 within the seven county service area; $200.00 outside the seven county service area but within the state and $300.00 outside the state during the December, 2007 meeting.  The bereavement payments prior to that were $75.00 to those living in the service area and $125.00 outside the service area and outside the state).
 
09-08 Amending the Comanche Tribe Drug-Free Workplace Policy Act of 1995, passed 6-0 (this amendment would require a 100% drug test of all Nation employees annually beginning in February, 2008 and 10% of all Nation employees would be required to take a random drug test monthly thereafter).

10-08 Comanche Nation Enterprise, Inc. ratifying the Federal Charter of Incorporation approved by the United States, passed 4 yes and 2 abstain (this ratifies the federally-approved Charter of Incorporation for Comanche Nation Enterprises, Inc.)

11-08 Comanche Nation Enterprise, Inc. appointing seven (7) Directors to the Corporate Board of Comanche Nation Enterprises Inc., Tabled (this appoints seven (7) directors as the Corporate Board of the Comanche Nation Enterprises Inc.)

12-08 Comanche Nation Gaming Commission/Approving the hiring of an Executive Director for the Comanche Nation Gaming Commission, passed 4-2 (this approves the hiring of Jill Aitson as the Executive Director of the Comanche Nation Gaming Commission).

13-08 Social Services/Multi year contract for programs under the BIA, passed 6-0 (this provides services from the BIA for General Assistance, Tribal Work Experience Program, Child Welfare Assistance and Miscellaneous Assistance from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010).

14-08 Comanche Nation Elder Center request for a grant under Title VI of the Older Americans Act, passed 6-0 (this provides appropriate services for elderly Indians living within the service area)

15-08, this resolution was rescinded

16-08, For the Comanche Nation to enter a contract with Joseph Ede to conduct the 2006 audit for the Nation, passed 6-0

New and Old Business

Edward Tahhahwah Jr. 20% drawdown from the BIA – approved 6-0 (this allows the Secretary/Treasurer to request drawdown of 2006, 2007 and 2008 20% monies – monies are to be used for the Nursing Home investment).

Gaming Commission supplemental budget request – approved 5 yes and 1 abstain (this will allow the Gaming Commission to increase their staff from ten to twenty employees which will meet the needs of the Commission)

Fred Ticceahkie request – approved 6-0 (this requests the Gaming Board to assist Toqua Ticceahkie the starting Nose Guard for the Arizona Adrenaline of the American Indoor Football Association)

Melissa Jackson request – approved 6-0 (this requests the Gaming Board to assist high school junior honor student Ms Jackson with an educational exploration program called People to People)

Executive Session

Lanny Asepermy
     Status of Resolutions - discussed
     Status of signature cards – discussed
     Discussion of Constitution Revision – discussed
     Discussion of recommended Constitution amendments – discussed

Economic Development request from Delphine Nelson - discussed

Financial Reports – Finley & Cook provided their monthly report to the CBC on December 27, 2008 (in a “nutshell” the Nation is 3% under their FY08 budget as of December 14, 2008)

Programs Reports (a total of twenty-nine reports were submitted)

Adjournment at about 8:35 p.m.

Other information:

The Education Department mailed student funding checks on January 8, 2008

The CBC and the Constitution Revision Commission will meet on January 29 & 30, 2008 to review the final draft of the Constitution revision – meeting site will be in Oklahoma City

A Special Meeting will be called by the Chairman at the request of the CBC for January 31, 2008, an agenda will be set prior to that meeting – meeting site will be in Oklahoma City at the Nation Law Offices

The Nation Law offices provided legal services assistance to Nation members on January 9, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nation Gym – these services included wills, living wills, powers of attorney and limit legal assistance (no DUI’s, divorces, etc;).  A total of six members used the services.  These services will be offered again at the same time and place on January 16 and 23, 2008.  NOTE: for wills bring a legal description of your property, you’re spouse, children, or whomever you designate on the will, address, birth date and social security number.