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A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN STILWELL UTILIZING OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS PURSUANT TO THE PHWFA
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WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people;
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America;
WHEREAS, the Nation has exclusive tribal jurisdiction over the Cherokee Nation Reservation, the geographic scope of which is defined in federal and Cherokee Nation law;
WHEREAS, the Council enacted the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, as amended (PHWFA) <https://cherokee.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15298244&GUID=EBA58367-8A83-4875-9250-F89E01588120> which includes earmarked funds resulting from certain settlements agreements with firms involved in the opioid industry for the purpose of constructing behavioral health, substance use disorder and related infrastructure, the "Behavioral Health Capital Fund" more fully described in section 4, subsection 1005(A) of the PHWFA;
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief is authorized under the PHWFA to execute construction plans for the aforementioned infrastructure;
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief has advised of the need an outpatient substance use disorder facility to be located in Stilwell, located on 82102 HWY 59 Stilwell, OK 74960 further defined in Exhibit A, for a construction of cost of approximately $10,000,000
WHEREAS, the property described in Exhibit A is designated for purposes of this resolution the "Cherokee Nation Stilwell Recovery Center";
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief, by his designee, has briefed the Council on construction plans for the aforementioned construction project;
WHEREAS, the aforementioned construction projects fall under the authority of, and within the authorized and appropriated budgets relating to, the PHWFA;
WHEREAS, the Council can better ensure its oversight of facilities constructed with opioid settlement funds under the PHWFA with status reports as to such facilities communicated by the Principal Chief or his designee on no less than a quarterly basis, in addition to any statutory reporting requirements under the PHWFA.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION, that the Council of the Cherokee Nation affirms its support of the construction of substance use disorder inpatient facility located in Stilwell, all under the authority of the PHWFA, and requests status reports from the Principal Chief or his designee on all such projects on at least a quarterly basis, in addition to statutory reporting requirements.