Special Council Meetings Held in BC

By Iretta Tiger

BIG CYPRESS — On March 2, the Seminole Tribal Council held two special meeting at the Herman L. Osceola Gymnasium.

The first meeting addressed petition – 01 – 05; Removal of Big Cypress Tribal Council Representative. Only tribal citizens were allowed to attend the meeting.

Before addressing the petition, the Council and Tribal attorney Jim Shore discussed how the proceeding should unfold; there is no set procedure. It was decided that this meeting would set a standard as to how petitions would be handled in the future.

Tribal Secretary Priscilla Sayen read the petition to the Council and those present. The councilman then responded to the petition and the council recessed for five minutes to discuss the issue.

The Council, by a majority vote, approved a motion to deny the petition.

After order was restored, the Council began the second meeting. Among the items that the Council approved were:

*The Seminole Tribe of Florida (government) Policy and Procedures Manual.

*The elimination (write-off) of all outstanding tribal council loans to deceased borrowers through Dec. 31, 2004.

*Engineering service agreement between Seminole Tribe of Florida and Suwannee Valley Engineering, LLC for engineering services related to the veteran’s building at the Brighton Seminole Indian reservation.

*Utilities department water unit rate increase for the Hollywood Seminole Indian reservation water system. This increase does not affect tribal citizens.

The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for March 28 on the Hollywood reservation.