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Legislative highlights:
Tuesday, September 22, 2020: Legislative hosted a Pre-Band Assembly meeting to discuss the agenda items.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020: Band Assembly occurred through conference call and Zoom.
Band Assembly approved Joint Resolution 19-02-156-20: A Joint Resolution Authorizing the Sale of
Government Vehicles to Outgoing Elected Officials.
A nomination from Chief Executive Benjamin for David Sam to serve as the At-Large position on the Corporate Board of Directors was taken from table and denied. The nominee was not interested.
A nomination from Chief Executive Benjamin for Richard Osburn to fill the position of District Court Judge was taken from the table and approved. Judge Osburn's term will expire August 15, 2026.
Band Assembly approved Bill 19-02-61-20: A Bill enacting the Helping Expedite and Advance
Responsible Tribal Home Ownership Act, to be known as Leasing of Trust Lands, and numbered in the Mille Lacs Band Statutes as Chapter 7 of Title 21. The Leasing of Trust Lands Code will grant the Band the authority to negotiate and enter into leases without further approvals by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Specifically, the Act authorizes the Band to execute agricultural and business leases of Band trust lands for a primary term of 25 years and up to two renewal terms of 25 years each. Leases of Band trust lands for residential, recreational, religious, or educational purposes may be executed for a primary term of up to 75 years. The bill was sponsored by the District III Representative.
Band Assembly also approved Bill 19-02-62-20: A Bill of Supplemental Appropriations for Education, Health & Human Services and Natural Resources for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2020. The bill was sponsored by the District I Representative.
Resolution 19-02-153-20: A Resolution Approving the Continuance of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, Non-Gaming, and Gaming Fiscal Operations Until October 31, 2020, was approved with a waiver of the formal reading.
Resolution 19-02-154-20: A Resolution Authorizing the Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures to Expend Funds from FY2020 Capital Budget for Grand Casino Hinckley Kiosk Upgrades was approved with a waiver of the formal reading.
Resolution 19-02-155-20: A Resolution Authorizing the Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures to Expend Funds from FY2020 Capital Budget for Grand Casino Mille Lacs HVAC Upgrades was approved with a waiver of the formal reading.
A contract was approved for Flagship Recreation to provide materials and labor for installation of new playground equipment and landscaping in District II and District III Head Start locations. Contract end date is September 30, 2021.
A contract addendum was approved for Degerstrom & Sons Construction, LLC. to provide additional unforeseen repair costs for the renovation of the three quad buildings at 2481 & 2485 Evergreen Ct. in Hinckley. Contract end date remains at September 30, 2020.
A contract was approvedf for McKinnis & Doom, P.A. to provide representation for MLB member clients when a conflict of interest with civil cases in matters such as child protection, family law matters, child support and custody proceedings as well as all other case types as outlined within the contract. Contract end date is September 30, 2021.
A contractwas approved for Central MN Conflict & Pro Se Services, LLC to provide representation for MLB member clients in civil cases when a conflict of interest with BMLA representing other MLB member clients in matters such as child protection, family law matters, child support and custody proceedings as well as other types of cases as outlined within the contract. Contract end date is September 30, 2021.
A contract was approved for Citon Computer Corporation to provide current VDI network stabilization and VICO (Virtual Chief Information Officer) engagement for the HHS Building. Contract end date is December 30, 2020. Contract was approved.
(q) Contract (DNR): A contract for Widseth Smith Nolting to provide surveying, engineering and other technical services for Tribal Real Estate Services in D1, D2, and D3. Contract end date is September 30, 2021.
The Child Protection Subcommittee met for the third time. The subcommittee members meeting 3 consists of: Review of Title 8, Chapter 13, Subchapter 3. The subcommittee members had a good discussion on Subchapter 3, purpose, general responsibilities, next section, guardianship assistance up to age 21, administrative reviews and disposition hearings, and guardianship records. Each member was given the opportunity to comment on each item discussed. The members also gave their input on possible solutions and recommendations for each item discussed.
On Thursday, September 24, 2020, Legislative held a work session for the Band Assembly members, Legal Counsel, Staff Attorney, OSG Attorneys, Housing Attorney, and Chief Executive Legal and Policy Counsel on Title 21 – Review (start at § 303). The attendees went through Title 21 Proposed revisions red line version line by line. Questions and comments were made during each section. Draft changes were made upon agreement of all involved while considerations of other parties affected or may be involved with the revisions.