By BROOKLYN BROWN
One Feather Reporter
CHEROKEE, N.C. – The planning board of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) met on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 22. The meeting included a series of project updates from EBCI Project Management, and discussions on ordinance changes presented by EBCI Finance Director Brandi Claxton.
Claxton noted several draft ordinance changes to the planning board ordinance in Cherokee Code. Membership was adjusted to increase from one business owner who is an enrolled member of the EBCI to two business owners who are enrolled members of the EBCI, and from one EBCI elder to two EBCI elders.
The above slide from the Planning Board Presentation on May 20 shows the planning process for projects.
A copy of the most recent draft of the proposed planning board ordinance was requested by the One Feather but it was not available for this report.
Elawodi (Yellowhill) Rep. Tom Wahnetah motioned to add a staff member from the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) to the planning board. The addition of a staff member from TERO was approved unanimously, making board membership increase to 16 members.
Claxton said the draft ordinance also reads that the board should meet “not less than once a month,” and that any resolution submitted to Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) that requests funding of a capital project in an amount of $50,000 or more shall be referred by Tribal Council to the planning board for preliminary review. The ordinance change does add a stipulation that “for good cause,” Tribal Council may vote to approve without sending the capital project to planning board.
Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks requested that the ordinance specifically define “capital project.” Claxton also noted that the draft ordinance requires that the EBCI Office of Budget and Finance produce a fiscal note indicating how the capital project will impact the budget. The ordinance change also requires monthly and quarterly collaborative reports from the EBCI Office of Budget and Finance, EBCI Project Management, and other EBCI tribal programs.
EBCI Project Management Manager Rebecca Bowe provided the following project updates:
Cherokee Post Office Repairs/Expansion
- Planning – Complete
- Design Development/Construction Documents – Complete
- Bid Project – July 2024
- Construction Begins – August/September 2024
- Construction Complete – April 2025
Riverview Greenspace
- Planning – Complete
- Design Development/Construction Documents – Complete August 2024
- Bid Project – September 2024
- Construction Begins – November 2024
- Construction Complete – Summer 2025
Soco Falls Trailhead
- Planning – Complete
- Construction Begins – Summer 2024
Cherokee Indian Police Department Evidence Building
- Planning – Complete
- Design Development/Construction Documents – Complete August 2024
- Bid Project – October/November 2024
- Construction Begins – January 2025
- Construction Complete – January 2026
Kituwah Field
- Railroad Lease – Under review with legal
- Timber Structure – Reviewing and collecting pricing information
Ceremonial Grounds
- Interim Improvements
- Grading on site to improve areas that pond water
- Install a walking path and benches
- Plant native trees
- Planning – Complete
- Design Development/Construction Documents – November 2024
- Bid Project – January 2025
- Construction Begin – February 2025
- Construction Complete – October 2025
Mingo Falls Trailhead
- Planning – Complete
- Design Development/Construction Documents – August 2024
- Bid Project – September 2024
- Construction Begins – October/November 2024
- Construction Complete – October 2025
Old High School Site
- Fairground:
- Design Development/Construction Documents – August 2024
- Bid Project – September 2024
- Construction Begins – October/November 2024
- Construction Complete – September 2025
- Multi-use Areas:
- Planning – Begin June 2024
Elementary School site
- Planning – Begin June 2024
Other Projects
- Old Yellowhill Community Building – Renovation/Repairs Begin June 2024
- Qualla Arts and Crafts Sidewalk Repair – Demo Complete, Concrete to be poured next week
- US441 Water Line – Construction Complete
- Water Lab Expansion – Construction Complete
