January Tribal Council Meeting

By Iretta Tiger

HOLLYWOOD — On Jan. 13, the Seminole Tribal Council held its January meeting in the Seminole Headquarters auditorium.

The first resolutions to be addressed were on the consent agenda. The resolutions included homesite leases on all the reservations and liquor licenses for several restaurants and clubs at Seminole Paradise. Also on the agenda was a resolution to set aside several acres for a senior center on the Brighton reservation.

These resolutions on the consent agenda were read by Executive Administrator Ken Fields and were to be passed in a single vote. However, before a vote could be taken, Tribal citizen Carl Baxley questioned the Council on a number of issues.

The next items were on the regular agenda; they are listed below in the numerical order in which they appeared on the agenda. The agenda number is not the resolution number.

Item 21 was a license agreement with American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). As explained at the meeting, musicians must pay a fee to ASCAP to perform copyrighted music. The agreement is for the all musicians that perform at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa. The resolution was approved.

Item 22 was a construction contract with Turner Construction and Development, Inc. The contract is for the expansion of the parking garage at the Tampa Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The expansion will add 560 parking spaces. The resolution was approved.

Item 23 pertained to the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Policy and Procedures Manual. Several Tribal employees, including Chairman Mitchell Cypress, expressed concern about the lack of input from Tribal employees and other issues pertaining to employees who are Tribal citizens. After some discussion, the item was tabled until these concerns are addressed.

Item 24 was withdrawn. No explanation was given.

Item 25 was to move the Brighton payroll to a Bank of America checking account. The resolution was passed.

Item 26 was to eliminate, or write-off, all outstanding Tribal Council loans to Tribal citizens who are deceased. The write-off was for those who passed away before Jan. 1. Going along with this resolution, Tribal Treasurer Mike D. Tiger urged Tribal citizens to buy life insurance. Corrections for the resolution were made and it was approved.

Item 27 was the “Approval of credit documents to be executed with respect to the Revenue Anticipation Notes (State Road 7 Improvement Project) to be arranged by Merrill Lynch; Waiver of Sovereign Immunity.”

This resolution was also questioned by Baxley; his concern was why the Tribe had footed the bill for the project. It was explained that the Tribe is being reimbursed. The resolution was approved.

Item 28 was in conjunction to item 27. This resolution was also approved.

Item 29 was for the appointment of members to the Tribal Council Loan Review Committee. The committee will consist of Treasurer Mike D. Tiger and a representative from each reservation. This resolution was approved.

Item 30 was to renew an agreement with Ietan Consulting, LLC. Ietan is an Indian-owned “federal government relations firm specializing in the representation of tribal governments and tribal business enterprises.” This resolution was approved.

Item 31 was for the approval of a sale of a home in Brandon, Fla. to a Tribal citizen. The home is not on any reservation. This resolution was approved.

This concluded the regular agenda.

The Council thanked Baxley for addressing the rumors in an open forum and Councilman Max B. Osceola Jr. announced that he is available to anyone who would like to discuss any issues.

Before the Council went into closed session, two special guests were introduced. From the Yakama Nation in Washington were the Chairman Jerry Meninick and Vice Chairman Virgil Lewis Sr.; who were touring the office and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

“We feel privileged to be amongst you and your people,” said Meninick

“We’re very impressed with your facilities and we hope to achieve what you’ve achieved,” added Lewis

Meninick also expressed his condolences at the loss of the late Billy Cypress.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18 on the Big Cypress reservation.