[WELCOM/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
[00:00:03]
ALL THE MICS ARE ON AND EVERYTHING.
WELL, WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH.
MY NAME IS AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA I'M THE MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WELCOME TO EVERYONE HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
AND ALSO TO EVERYONE WHO'S WATCHING ON A RECORDING OR LIVE.
WE WILL START OUR MEETING TODAY WITH A ROLL CALL WITH OUR CITY CLERK.
HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.
I'D LIKE TO READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT TONIGHT.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A VIBRANT, HEALTHY, AND CONNECTED CITY.
WE ARE HERE TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, DELIVER EQUITABLE SERVICES, BUILD AND STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS, IMPROVE UPON OUR PAST, AND UPHOLD OUR SUCCESSES. WE STRIVE TO BE BETTER AND ENSURE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR EVERYONE TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.
NOW, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
AND NOW I ASK IF THE COUNCIL, IF WE COULD PLEASE APPROVE THE AGENDA, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS.SEEING NONE, THEN COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED? MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. THEN ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT WE HAVE OUR PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GUESTS.
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
AND TONIGHT WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR THE HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH AND COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION.NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH NOVEMBER 2024 NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH, FIRST DECLARED BY THE US CONGRESS IN 2007 TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS NATIONWIDE.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS REPORT THAT BETWEEN 1.3 AND 1.7 MILLION STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS EACH YEAR, WITH MANY RELYING ON SCHOOLS AS THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF SAFETY, STABILITY AND SUPPORT.
IN ANOKA COUNTY, MANY YOUNG PEOPLE FACE HOMELESSNESS, UNDERSCORING THE URGENT NEED FOR COMMUNITY AWARENESS, RESOURCES AND COORDINATED ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS YOUTHLINK MINNESOTA AND HOPE FOR YOUTH ARE LEADING THE WAY IN PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO HELP YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TRANSITION TOWARD STABILITY AND BRIGHTER FUTURES. HOPE FOR YOUTH, LOCATED IN ANOKA, OFFERS A DROP IN CENTER HOUSING PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES, GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THE TOOLS AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO THRIVE.
HOPE FOR YOUTH AND YOUTHLINK MINNESOTA HOST COMMUNITY EVENTS THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER, INCLUDING FORUMS, FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PROMOTE COLLECTIVE ACTION AGAINST YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS DEDICATED TO ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS AND FOSTERING A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY YOUNG PERSON HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND SUCCEED.
NOW, THEREFORE, I AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA, PROCLAIMED NOVEMBER 2024 AS NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
AND IF YOU COULD COME UP TO THE PODIUM, WE CAN DO A PHOTO.
HELLO. I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE HAVING A GOOD DAY.
[00:05:09]
POTENTIALLY HOMELESS.WE DO WE HAVE A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IN COON RAPIDS WHERE WE HAVE 12 EFFICIENCY APARTMENTS.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE OUR DROP IN RESOURCE CENTER UP IN ANOKA.
SO ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, FROM A WILDER RESEARCH SURVEY, THERE'S 13,000 HOMELESS YOUTH ACROSS THE YEAR, I SHOULD SAY.
SO WHAT WE DO IS WE TRY AND PROVIDE RESOURCES AND REALLY MOVE YOUNG PEOPLE FORWARD FROM BASIC NEEDS.
SO WE PROVIDE FOOD, SHELTER SHOWER, LAUNDRY, AND THEN WE TRY AND CONNECT THEM WITH OUR CASE MANAGERS AND MOVE THEM FORWARD TO STABLE HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES KIND OF ANYTHING THAT'S GOING ON WITH THE INDIVIDUAL.
OTHERWISE, WE HAVE ACCESS TO A TON OF OTHER FUNDS TO TRY AND GET YOUTH HOUSED.
THAT'S UP 23% FROM THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.
WE HAVE 260 NEW YOUTH THAT HAVE SIGNED UP.
WE'VE HAD ABOUT 27% INCREASE IN OUR VISITS TO OUR FOOD SHELF.
AS MOST OF YOU PROBABLY KNOW, FOOD INSECURITY IS A BIG, BIG ISSUE RIGHT NOW.
WITH THAT SAID, WE HAVE A GREAT KIND OF STORY OUT RIGHT NOW THAT CAME OUT ON FOX 9 NEWS LAST WEEK.
IF YOU GO TO OUR WEBSITE JUST HOPE FOR YOUTH.COM.
HOPEFORYOUTHMN.ORG. IT REALLY TALKS ABOUT NEVIN'S STORY.
NEVIN STAYED IN A SHELTER STEPPING STONE FOR A WHILE GOT CONNECTED WITH HOPE FOR YOUTH CONNECT.
CONNECTED WITH CASE MANAGERS WORKED ON EMPLOYMENT SKILLS.
MOVED INTO ONE OF OUR APARTMENTS IN COON RAPIDS, SPENT TWO AND A HALF YEARS THERE.
THROUGH SOME CONNECTIONS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, HE GOT AN INTERNSHIP AT A MECHANIC SHOP.
HE THEN BECAME A LICENSED MECHANIC AND NOW HE IS SUPERVISING FOLKS WITHIN THAT SHOP.
SO NEVIN IS JUST ONE OF MANY SUCCESS STORIES THAT WE HAVE HAD AND JUST PROVES HOW COMMUNITY BONDING TOGETHER TO HELP INDIVIDUALS KIND OF MOVE FORWARD IS REALLY A SUCCESS.
WE WILL TAKE A PHOTO IF WE COULD STAND UP THERE.
OUR NEXT PROCLAMATION IS FOR VETERANS DAY, WHICH IS COMING UP IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
BUT OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WOULD BE THE DAY AFTER, SO WE'RE DOING THIS AHEAD OF TIME.
VETERANS DAY FOR NOVEMBER 11, 2024.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAS FOUNDED UPON THE NOBLE PRINCIPLE THAT EVERY.
INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BASK IN THE BLESSINGS OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.
VETERANS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE FROM OR HAVE LIVED HERE IN OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY.
IT IS WITH SOLEMN HEARTS AND PROFOUND RESPECT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE ENDURING SACRIFICE OF COUNTLESS AMERICANS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF THE CHERISHED FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES THAT RESONATE NOT ONLY WITH ALL AMERICANS, BUT ALSO WITH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
WE HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DEBT OWED TO AMERICA'S VETERANS CAN NEVER TRULY BE REPAID IN FULL, FOR NO SINGLE DAY OR OBSERVANCE CAN EVER SUFFICE TO HONOR THE HEROIC MEN AND WOMEN WHO COMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO SAFEGUARD THE VERY PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY THAT DEFINE OUR NATION.
IT IS OUR SOLEMN DUTY TO REFLECT UPON THE IMMEASURABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES MADE BY AMERICAN VETERANS, RECOGNIZING THAT THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT HAS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN SHAPING A WORLD THAT ASPIRES TO BE ONE OF LASTING PEACE.
[00:10:06]
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 11TH, 2024 TO BE VETERANS DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.A DAY TO NOT ONLY HONOR OUR VETERANS, BUT ALSO TO REFLECT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR SERVICE IN FORGING A PATH TOWARD A WORLD THAT ONE DAY MAY GENUINELY EMBRACE THE IDEALS OF PEACE, FREEDOM, AND LIBERTY FOR ALL.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] AND A VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION IS BEING PLANNED FOR THE WEEKEND OF VETERANS DAY, SO STAY IN TUNE FOR THAT.
AND THEN NEXT WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR TERCHEN TAKSHAM RINPOCHE DAY, WHICH IS DECEMBER 20, 2024.
OVER 5000 TIBETAN BUDDHISTS LIVE IN MINNESOTA, MANY RESIDING IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
ON DECEMBER 20, 2006, JALUE DORJEE WAS BORN IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
ON APRIL 8, 2007, HE WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE EIGHTH REINCARNATION OF THE 17TH CENTURY TIBETAN LAMA TERCHEN TAKSHAM ORGIN [INAUDIBLE] BY [INAUDIBLE] RINPOCHE.
THE EIGHTH TERCHEN TAKSHAM RINPOCHE IS THE ONLY TIBETAN BUDDHIST REINCARNATION BORN IN MINNESOTA AND THE FIRST IN THE UNITED STATES. HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA NAMED HIM TENZIN GYATSO [INAUDIBLE] DORJEE AND EXPRESSED HOPES FOR HIS LONG LIFE AND MEANINGFUL DHARMA ACTIVITIES.
HE HAS ALSO BEEN RECOGNIZED BY OTHER PROMINENT BUDDHIST LEADERS, INCLUDING THE FIFTH HEAD OF THE [INAUDIBLE] NYINGMA LINEAGE, [INAUDIBLE] RINPOCHE AND HIS HOLINESS THE [INAUDIBLE].
HE ATTENDS HIGH SCHOOL, PLAYS FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, LISTENS TO RAP MUSIC, PRACTICES CALLIGRAPHY, AND CONTINUES TO LEARN AND MEMORIZE SACRED SCRIPTURES. UPON COMPLETING HIS PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TRADITIONAL BUDDHIST STUDIES, TAKSHAM RINPOCHE PLANS TO OFFER TEACHINGS AT HIS NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL CENTER, NYINGMAPA TAKSHAM BUDDHIST CENTER, LOCATED HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THE CITY PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED HIS IMPACT BY PASSING A RESOLUTION ON APRIL 24, 2016, CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF HIS CENTER ON DECEMBER 20, 2024 TAKSHAM RINPOCHE WILL TURN 18, MARKING A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE ON HIS JOURNEY.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM DECEMBER 20, 2024 TO BE TERCHEN TAKSHAM RINPOCHE DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.
AND NOW [INAUDIBLE] WILL COME UP.
YOU TWO, TOGETHER. YOU'RE COMING UP? YES. OKAY.
IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE YOURSELF, THEN THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND SHARING A FEW WORDS.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO COME UP FOR A PHOTO WITH EVERYBODY.
I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE PROCLAMATION TO CELEBRATE A TRULY SPECIAL OCCASION, THE 18TH BIRTHDAY OF HIS EMINENCE, THE EIGHTH TAKSHAM RINPOCHE, OR JALUE AS WE FONDLY CALL HIM.
[00:15:07]
EXPERIENCES OF YOUTH.HIS ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THESE DUAL IDENTITIES IS A TESTAMENT TO HIS CHARACTER.
AS THE FIRST REINCARNATED TIBETAN LAMA IN THE STATE, HIS EXISTENCE REPRESENTS A BLEND OF CULTURES AND TRADITIONS, ALLOWING HIM TO EMBODY THE RICH SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAS A TAPESTRY OF DIVERSITY, YET JALUE'S PRESENCE AND STORY ADDS A DISTINCTIVE THREAD, ONE OF SPIRITUALITY, WISDOM AND A DEEP CONNECTION WITH SOMETHING GREATER. ON BEHALF OF THE TIBETAN AND BUDDHIST COMMUNITY IN MINNESOTA AND ACROSS THE WORLD, I SINCERELY THANK THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND COMMITMENT TO COMPASSION, LOVE, AND UNDERSTANDING IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX WORLD.
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION AND TASHI DELEK.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING MAYOR.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND EVERYONE GATHERED HERE.
EVERYONE AT HOME WATCHING LIVE OR IN RECORDING.
AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY, MAYOR, YOU DID AN AMAZING JOB PRONOUNCING THOSE NAMES.
IT'S REALLY COMPLICATED, SO KUDOS.
MY NAME IS JIGME, AND I'M A TIBETAN.
I WANT TO APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR THE PROCLAMATION, CELEBRATING AND RECOGNIZING THE 18TH BIRTHDAY OF HIS EMINENCE, THE TERCHEN TAKSHAM RINPOCHE.
AS [INAUDIBLE] SHE DID AN AMAZING JOB BEAUTIFULLY SPEAKING ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS OWN UNIQUE JOURNEY AND HIS REMARKABLE LIFE DETAILS.
I WANTED TO FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PROCLAMATION IS NOT JUST A TRIBUTE TO RINPOCHE, BUT IT IS A VITAL REMINDER OF THE RESILIENCE OF THE TIBETAN PEOPLE AND THE RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE.
ONE PARTICULAR ALARMING ASPECT OF THIS OPPRESSION IS THAT IN TIBET, IF YOU HAVE A REINCARNATED LAMA, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS ACTUALLY PUT A LAW THAT WITHOUT THEIR APPROVAL, NO TIBETAN LAMA WOULD BE RECOGNIZED.
NOW, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ITSELF IS AN ATHEIST GOVERNMENT.
SO THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL ORDER NUMBER FIVE.
THE ORDER NUMBER FIVE WAS CREATED SPECIFICALLY TO TARGET THE REINCARNATION OF THE NEXT DALAI LAMA, THE 15TH DALAI LAMA, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY ALLOW CHINA TO NOT ONLY MANIPULATE THE HISTORIC INSTITUTION OF THE DALAI LAMA, WHICH DATES BACK TO THE 14TH CENTURY, BUT FULLY ASSERT THE ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OVER TIBET AND MITIGATE THE TIBETAN FREEDOM MOVEMENT.
SO BY HONORING TERCHEN TAKSHAM RINPOCHE TODAY, YOU ARE SENDING A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT WE WILL NOT TOLERATE OPPRESSION, AND WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE WHO SEEK TO PRESERVE THEIR RELIGIOUS PRACTICE AND IDENTITY.
FOR TIBETANS IN OCCUPIED TIBET THIS MEANS THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP FREELY, TO MAINTAIN CULTURAL TRADITIONS, AND TO PASS DOWN SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS AND EXPERIENCE THAT HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY DESTROYED AND UNDERMINED.
AS I SPEAK HERE TONIGHT, 1 MILLION, 1 MILLION TIBETAN CHILDREN INSIDE OCCUPIED TIBET, SOME AS YOUNG AS FOUR YEARS OLD, ARE FORCEFULLY SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND PLACED INTO COLONIAL STYLE BOARDING SCHOOLS, INDOCTRINATED AND STRIPPING THEM OF THEIR CULTURE, RELIGION AND LINGUISTIC IDENTITY.
FOR YEARS, TIBET CONTINUES TO BE THE NUMBER ONE LEAST FREE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
THIS YEAR, FREEDOM HOUSE RANKED TIBET ZERO, WHICH IS EVEN BELOW ONE.
NORTH KOREA RANKS NUMBER THREE.
97 OF TIBET'S ANCIENT BUDDHIST MONASTERIES, WHICH IS ABOUT 6000, HAVE BEEN DESTROYED OR CLOSED.
[00:20:08]
100,000 MONKS AND NUNS HAVE BEEN DEFROCKED AND 1.2 MILLION TIBETANS HAVE BEEN KILLED.SINCE LAST YEAR, CHINA IS BULLYING THE WORLD TO CHANGE THE VERY NAME OF OUR COUNTRY, TIBET TO XIZANG, A NAME THAT CHINA DECIDED TO JUST NAME TIBET.
CHINA IS NOT JUST DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY, BUT OUR ENTIRE CIVILIZATION.
WE ARE WHAT WE CALL AN ENDANGERED SPECIES.
SO IN STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE TIBETAN COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SENDS A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT YOU WILL NOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO THIS INJUSTICES AND SHINE A LIGHT ON THE URGENT NEED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR TIBET.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO BE AN INCREDIBLE CITY FOR TIBETAN REFUGEES TO GROW, GROW THEIR FAMILIES AND PROUDLY CALL THE SECOND HOME.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] WITH THAT, AS THE MAYOR SAID EARLIER, THERE IS A BIG CELEBRATION ON NOVEMBER 9TH, WHICH WE'VE INVITED THE MAYOR AS ONE OF THE KEY GUESTS, WHERE YOU WILL BE PRESENTING THE PROCLAMATION IN FRONT OF WHAT WE THINK IS CLOSE TO ABOUT 8 TO 900 TIBETANS GATHERED. IT WILL BE RECOGNIZED AND THE MESSAGE SHARED ACROSS THE WORLD, AND WE WILL DO THAT.
EVEN THOUGH HIS BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 29TH, THE NINTH SEEMED LIKE A GOOD DAY FOR THE CELEBRATION.
WE WANTED TO DO THAT, AND ALONG WITH THAT, AS IF WE COULD PERMIT, WE'D INVITE JALUE'S FATHER TO OFFER KHATA'S TO ALL OF YOU KHATA'S A RE SCARVES THAT ARE GIVEN TO IT'S A SYMBOLISM OF OUR HOPE DREAM.
IT'S A SYMBOLISM OF OUR GREETINGS.
IT'S A SYMBOLISM OF SHARING TRAUMA.
IT'S WHAT SYMBOLIZES OF ANY AND ALL OCCASIONS THAT TIBETANS ARE IN.
SO PLEASE, IF YOU DON'T MIND, WOULD YOU BE OKAY FOR HIM TO PUT THE KHATA ON ALL OF YOU UP HERE? YES. CAN WE COME DOWN HERE? YEAH. YEAH, YEAH. SO.
SO THIS BEAUTIFUL SILK SCARVES ACTUALLY HAVE.
IF YOU SEE A PRINT, THOSE ARE THE EIGHT AUSPICIOUS SIGNS.
SOME WOULD HAVE, SOME WOULDN'T.
BUT IT'S ALL IF IT DOESN'T, IT'S STILL SILK.
AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A PHOTO. YES.
DID YOU WANT THEM TO COME UP? YEAH.
[00:25:08]
DO WE NEED TO SQUEEZE IN A LITTLE BIT MORE? YES. CAN YOU DO THAT AGAIN? ALL RIGHT. CHEESE.THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] SO YOU'LL BE BRINGING THIS ON THE 9TH RIGHT.
PLEASE COME ON IN. IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST TIBETAN SETTLEMENT IN MINNESOTA, AND IT'S COMPARATIVELY TO THE REST OF AMERICA, TOO.
SO IT'S A REALLY LARGE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
WE ALL LOVE WHEN THERE IS MANY PEOPLE HERE AT THE CITY HALL.
THIS IS, YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY SPACE FOR WHERE WE GOVERN OUR OWN CITY.
SO IT'S LOVELY TO SEE PEOPLE HERE AND HEARING FROM A MEMBER FROM THE COMMUNITY.
YOU DID SUCH A GOOD JOB SPEAKING.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
NEXT WE HAVE OUR INTRODUCTION OF OUR NEW FIRE CHIEF, DAN O'BRIEN.
O'BRIEN. CHIEF O'BRIEN I HAVE TO START SAYING CHIEF O'BRIEN MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS THE DEPARTMENT'S ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF AND WAS PROMOTED FOLLOWING THE RETIREMENT OF FORMER FIRE CHIEF CHARLIE THOMPSON THIS FALL.
WELL, THURSDAY, FRIDAY JUST RETIRED.
HE WENT ON TO BECOME A FULL TIME FIREFIGHTER IN 1999, AND WAS PROMOTED TO FIRE CAPTAIN IN 2005, BEFORE HIS PROMOTION TO ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF IN 2019. AS ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, O'BRIEN HAS FOCUSED ON OVERSEEING AND STREAMLINING PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND RENTAL LICENSING, SERVICES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE COMMUNITY'S LIFE AND SAFETY.
UNTIL 2015, O'BRIEN ALSO LED THE DEPARTMENT'S FIRE EXPLORER PROGRAM, SERVED AS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE MINNESOTA FIRE EXPLORING ASSOCIATION, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION HE HELPED TO FOUND TO PROMOTE FIREFIGHTING AS A CAREER PATH FOR YOUTH.
O'BRIEN WILL LEAD A BUSY DEPARTMENT THAT RESPONDED TO 1574 MEDICAL INCIDENTS AND 583 FIRE INCIDENTS JUST LAST YEAR.
SO BEFORE HE EVEN SAYS IT, WE'RE HIRING.
BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS, DAN.
THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR NEW CHIEF.
[APPLAUSE] AND IN THE AUDIENCE WE HAVE HIS FOLKS AND SOME FRIENDS AS WELL.
AND YOU KNOW, BEING HERE ON THIS VERY SPECIAL DAY.
GO AHEAD. MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
LIKE I SAY, I'LL KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET, BUT NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT MY, YOU KNOW, FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, THE COUNCIL, MY COWORKERS, AND OF COURSE, THE PUBLIC.
[00:30:08]
ANY SUCCESSES I'VE HAD ARE A REFLECTION OF YOUR SUPPORT AND BELIEF IN ME AND THE CITY'S MISSION FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.SO AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I WAS JUST THINKING, SHOULD WE DO A PHOTO WITH OUR NEW FIRE CHIEF? YES, I THINK WE SHOULD.
ALL RIGHT. YOU ALL LOOK AMAZING WITH THAT.
[APPLAUSE] AND NOW WE GET TO OUR REGULAR BUSINESS AT HAND.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH FOR COMING, EVERYONE.
OF COURSE, IN NO WAY DO WE WANT PEOPLE TO NOT BE HERE.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
AGENDA BY ONE MOTION.ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE AT ALL? ALL RIGHT THEN. HEARING AS NONE WOULD OUR CITY MANAGER, PLEASE GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
ITEM TWO IS APPROVING THE OCTOBER 14TH, 2024 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION.
ITEM FOUR IS CANCELLATION OF THE DECEMBER 23RD, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM FIVE IS RESOLUTION 2024-78, WHICH IS ACCEPTING MINNESOTA OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAM HIRING GRANT, WHICH IS A GRANT FROM THE STATE OF $50,000 THAT HELPS TO IDENTIFY CANDIDATE FOR A POLICE OFFICER POSITION THAT HAS A COLLEGE DEGREE AND A NON-POLICE DISCIPLINE.
AND IT COVERS THE TUITION AND TRAINING FOR THAT CANDIDATE.
SO A RECRUITMENT PROGRAM GRANT FUNDED FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ITEM SEVEN IS RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.
AND FINALLY, ITEM EIGHT IS REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE CITY'S BILLS, WHICH FOR THIS PERIOD TOTALS $1,506,926.56.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT. HEARING AS NONE THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED. SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, THEN EVERYONE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
IS THERE A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST? COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.THANK YOU. I ATTENDED THE CENTRAL AVENUE PRESENTATION AND CHIEF O'BRIEN'S EVENT THIS AFTERNOON, AND I MET WITH PUBLIC WORKS TO DISCUSS SOME PARKING REMEDIES AFFECTING THE SIGHT LINE ALONG 41ST AVENUE.
I'D LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE VETERANS PROCLAMATION, AND I'M VERY PROUD THAT THAT WE'RE ONE OF FEW COUNTRIES THAT ACTUALLY CELEBRATES THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY AT LEAST TWICE IN A YEAR.
[00:35:02]
VETERANS DAY HONORS ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND MEMORIAL DAY HONORS THOSE THAT GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND GIVING THEIR LIFE FOR OUR COUNTRY.I THINK THAT'S A IT'S KUDOS TO US.
YEAH, THANK YOU. A COUPLE OF THINGS.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE CENTRAL AVENUE MEETING HERE AT CITY HALL.
THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE.
IT WAS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS AND TALK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, NOT ONLY FROM COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BUT FROM SURROUNDING CITIES AS WELL, WHO USE ALL OF CENTRAL AVENUE AND HEAR THEIR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
THEY DIDN'T WIN, BUT IT WAS EXCITING TO TO SEE THEM AND SUPPORT THEM.
JUST MAKING SURE YOU WERE SUPPORTING COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, RIGHT? I WAS. OKAY MAKING SURE.
[LAUGHTER] COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE RETIREMENT CEREMONY FOR CHIEF CHARLIE THOMPSON.
WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ON OCTOBER 23RD, I WENT TO HEAR STORIES FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS EVENT THAT WAS HELD AT FIRST LUTHERAN WITH SPEAKERS FROM THE DWELLING PLACE WHO SPOKE AT OUR COUNCIL MEETING.
AND IT WAS VERY POWERFUL AND MOVING TO LEARN ABOUT THAT.
AND THEN ALSO GOT TO GO TO TRUNK OR TREAT AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE CITY STAFF.
THERE WAS A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE WORKING FROM ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS AND IT WAS A GREAT TIME.
THERE WAS MANY, MANY KIDS OUT AND GOT TO SEE SO MANY FAMILIES, SO IT WAS GREAT.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.
ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, I ATTENDED A MEETING WITH MNDOT, ANOKA COUNTY ENGINEER AND HILLTOP CITY MANAGER TO DISCUSS CONCEPTS THAT THEY HAVE FOR THE NORTHERN THIRD OF CENTRAL AVENUE.
I HAD THE JOY OF ATTENDING WITH MY HUSBAND THE PUMPKIN CARVING MURZYN HALL WITH THE MAYOR AND OTHERS FROM COMMUNITY TO PREPARE THE PUMPKINS FOR SPOOKTACULAR, WHICH WAS THE NEXT ITEM.
MY NEXT THING I ATTENDED ON THAT WEEK.
IT'S SO COOL. I DON'T MIND NOT HAVING A LOT OF LIGHTS WHERE EVERYONE GATHERS.
AND SO IT WAS REALLY, REALLY A NICE EVENING.
AND THEY'RE LOOKING MORE AT MORE DISTRICT WIDE NOW.
THEY'VE BEEN DOING PIECEMEAL HERE, THINGS HERE AND WHICH IS GREAT.
THEY'LL CONTINUE DOING SOME OF THAT.
BUT THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING NOW AT A BIGGER DISTRICT SYSTEMATIC LOOK AT HOW WE CAN PULL THINGS TOGETHER IN ONE AREA THAT WILL WILL ACTUALLY MAKE THINGS IMPROVE EVEN MORE. SO WE TALKED ABOUT QUITE A BIT ABOUT THAT.
AND ALSO TO GET TO KNOW THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
I ATTENDED THE CHARTER COMMISSION.
I HADN'T SEEN THEM, AND IT'S BEEN, I THINK 6 OR 7 YEARS SINCE I WAS LIAISON.
SO I JUST, I ATTENDED THAT AND THEN TURNED INTO A LIAISON BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE THERE RACHEL WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT, AND THAT WAS THEY HAD A TWO HOUR DISCUSSION ABOUT TWO PARTS OF THE CHARTER THAT HAVE TO DO WITH RECALL.
SO THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING.
EVERYONE WAS INVOLVED IN THE DISCUSSION, SO IT WAS REALLY FUN TO WATCH.
IT WAS A REALLY COOL BUILDING THAT THEY WERE INSIDE.
HINT, HINT. I ATTENDED CHARLIE THOMPSON'S RETIREMENT.
I WANT TO THANK CHARLIE FOR ALL THE WORK HE DID IN GETTING OUR DEPARTMENT BACK UP TO SPEED.
AND JUST DID A PHENOMENAL JOB WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
AND I HOPE HIS NEXT CHAPTER IN LIFE IS LONG AND HEALTHY.
I ATTENDED THE PARTNERS IN ENERGY WORKSHOP.
[00:40:06]
LOTS AND LOTS OF STRATEGIES AND IDEAS TO DO.I ATTENDED THE OPEN HOUSE FOR MNDOT.
IT WAS PACKED. WHEN I LEFT AT SIX, I HAD TO GO TO ANOTHER EVENT RIGHT AFTER THAT.
SO THAT WAS REALLY COOL TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY COME IN AND CHECK IN.
AND THE THING I LOVED THE MOST WE DIDN'T HAVE BIKE RACKS IN THE GARAGE, BUT THE BIKERS THAT SHOWED UP PARKED IN THE HALLWAY, AND I THOUGHT THAT WOULD SEND A GREAT MESSAGE, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT BIKE THAT WOULD LOVE TO USE CENTRAL.
IT'S A MORE DIRECT ROUTE, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND THEN AFTER THAT EVENT I ATTENDED WITH OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI FUND SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE DINNER RAISING MONEY THEY RAISED APPROXIMATELY $90,000 FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
ON SATURDAY, WE HAD THE TRUNK OR TREAT, WHICH WAS PACKED.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING HIM AS OUR FIRE CHIEF, AND IT'LL BE VERY EXCITING.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE POLICE.
THAT IS A GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND I WOULD SAY PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE CITY, THEY DON'T HAVE TO ONLY BE RESIDENTS, BUT JUST TO HEAR FROM THE POLICE.
AND IT'S AN ALWAYS AN OPEN CONVERSATION.
THE SHORT ANSWER TO THAT IS A LOT IS HAPPENING.
WE WERE AT MURZYN HALL AND JUST HAD A LOT OF FUN CUTTING UP PUMPKINS.
SO THAT WAS A FUN THING TO LEARN.
AND LET'S SEE, THE DAY AFTER I WORE PURPLE ON OCTOBER 17TH, THAT'S TO SHARE WITH A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY MESSAGE AND SERVICES ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA.
AND THEY ALSO ADOPTED A PURPLE BADGE THIS MONTH AS WELL.
SO I JUST APPRECIATE WHAT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS DO IN SHARING ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, FEET ON THE GROUND COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOW WE CAN HELP BRING THOSE RESOURCES TO PEOPLE.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE TEEN POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATION DURING EMMY WEEKEND.
OUR POLICE ALWAYS HAVE A TWO DAY WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS TEENS, I SHOULD SAY TEEN STUDENTS TO COME IN AND LEARN SOME SKILLS AND MORE ABOUT CAREERS IN YOU KNOW, IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO SAY IT, CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS.
AND WITH OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A GREAT EVENT.
AND I THINK THEY HAD, LIKE, 25 YOUTH CAME TO THAT.
A GREAT WAY TO SPEND THAT [INAUDIBLE] WEEKEND.
I ALSO ATTENDED OUR SECOND ANNUAL SPOOKTACULAR EVENT AT KORDIAK PARK.
IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. I THINK WE HAD OVER 200 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.
AND THEN WE HEIGHTSNEXT WE GAVE OUT S'MORES AND APPLE CIDER.
SO WE HAD A NICE BONFIRE AND JUST A WONDERFUL SMALLER COMMUNITY WALK THROUGH THE PARK.
JUST FINDING OUT MORE RESOURCES AND I'LL BE SHARING THOSE WITH OUR CITY MANAGER AS WELL.
ALSO ATTENDED THE TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT FOR THE CITY.
[00:45:05]
OUR LIBRARY HAD A CLASS ON SOMALI KEBED WEAVING, WHICH IS A HAND WEAVING TECHNIQUE.AND THAT WAS THEY HAD SOMALI GRANDMOTHERS, ELDERS THAT CAME IN AND TAUGHT THE CLASS.
I SAID GOODBYE TO OUR RETIRING FIRE CHIEF, CHARLIE THOMPSON.
ATTENDED OUR PARK AND REC DEPARTMENT MEETING, WHERE WE HAD A GREAT PRESENTATION ABOUT SULLIVAN PARK AND SOME IDEAS OF WAYS THAT WE CAN START WORKING ON THAT WITH JUST SOME DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT IDEAS.
ATTENDED OUR MNDOT HIGHWAY 65 MEETING WITH OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT WAS TRULY, I MEAN, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER PEOPLE.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALWAYS OUT THERE GETTING INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNITY.
BUT THIS WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE WAYS TO DO THAT.
ALSO ATTENDED WITH MY ROTARY CLUB AND SOME OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION DINNER AND LOVE TO SEE HOW PEOPLE ARE CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
I TOOK SOME RECYCLING OF PLASTIC BAGS OVER THE RECYCLING CENTER.
SO THANKS TO KIWANIS FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE AT OUR RECYCLING CENTER.
AND I PICKED UP OUR VETERAN BANNER.
SO I PICKED THAT UP ON SATURDAY AND THEN JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I LIKE THAT IDEA OF GRAY WATER SYSTEMS OVER AT PUBLIC WORKS, IF POSSIBLE.
SO I'LL GIVE A LITTLE A SECOND TO THAT.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST A FEW MORE NOTES ON TRUNK OR TREAT.
SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENT, BY ALL ACCOUNTS.
THE CITY WANTS TO THANK MAGNIFI FINANCIAL FOR SPONSORING THE EVENT AND ALL OF THE OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNERS THAT HOSTED A BOOTH OR BROUGHT A VEHICLE TO THE EVENT. IT'S TRULY A COMMUNITY EVENT, AND STAFF ESTIMATE THAT OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE ATTENDED THIS YEAR.
SO HATS OFF TO EVERYONE THAT PLAYED A PART IN THAT.
JUST SOME NOTES ON DIRECT BALLOTING AVAILABLE AT CITY HALL AND SOME EXTENDED HOURS FOR VOTING.
SO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENTS CAN VOTE AT CITY HALL THROUGH NOVEMBER 4TH.
WE DO ASK THAT IF YOU'RE DRIVING TO CITY HALL TO PARK IN THE GARAGE OR THE MUNICIPAL LOT ACROSS THE STREET, IF YOU DON'T PARK IN THE GARAGE, YOU CAN ENTER THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR ON CENTRAL AVENUE.
REGULAR HOURS, CITY HALL IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8:00 A.M.
TO 4:30, BUT THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL EXTRA HOURS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING AND THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS.
TUESDAY. TOMORROW, OCTOBER 29TH, 8 A.M.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, 9 A.M.
TO 3 P.M.. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, 9 A.M.
TO 3 P.M.. AND MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH IS THE LAST DAY FOR ABSENTEE VOTING HERE AT CITY HALL.
AND JUST A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE ELECTIONS APPARATUS BEING LED BY OUR CITY CLERK, SARA ION.
IT'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK, AND WE'RE ABOUT TO DEPLOY RESOURCES CITYWIDE FOR ELECTION DAY.
IT REQUIRES A MASSIVE LIFT WITH AN ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS AND WORKERS.
SO JUST A THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT'S INVOLVED.
WE'RE ON THE HOME STRETCH HERE, SO IT'LL BE GOOD TO GET THROUGH THAT.
LIBRARY AND RECREATION PROGRAMS. JUST A PLUG. THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT PROGRAMING AND UPCOMING OPENINGS.
PLEASE VISIT THE CITY'S WEBSITE TO REGISTER.
STAFF WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT A FEW ELECTRONIC UPDATES.
THE E-NEWSLETTER GOES OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MONTH, AND CODE RED NOTIFICATIONS GET SENT OUT IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS SUCH AS SEVERE WEATHER OR WATER MAIN BREAKS, AND STAFF WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT PEOPLE CAN REGISTER FOR THESE UPDATES CURRENTLY IN CHINESE AND SPANISH AS WELL, AND CITY STAFF ARE WORKING WITH THE CODE RED VENDOR TO PROVIDE OTHER LANGUAGES TO BETTER REFLECT THE COMMUNITY.
CITY HALL OFFICES ARE CLOSED NOVEMBER 11TH IN OBSERVANCE OF VETERAN'S DAY, AND THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR THAT WEEK WILL BE ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, NOVEMBER 12TH.
AND JUST A NOTE ABOUT BIKE RACKS.
[00:50:05]
STAFF HAVE REVIEWED SEVERAL OPTIONS.WE'RE LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, THE BEST FIT, BUT WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR.
UNTIL THAT TIME, THEY ARE WELCOME IN THE CORRIDOR.
COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? IF MY MEMORY AND MY MATH SERVES ME CORRECT, I THINK LAST YEAR AT TRUNK OR TREAT, WE HAD ABOUT 800 PARTICIPANTS.
AND IF WE'RE AT 1000, THAT'S A 25% INCREASE, ROUGHLY.
I THINK THAT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT THAT THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD JUMP.
AND A QUICK LITTLE SHOUT OUT THAT WAS INITIALLY ERIC CAPTAIN ERIC JOHNSTON'S IDEA.
HE HAD SAW THAT SOMEWHERE ELSE AND BACK WHEN HE STARTED, CONNIE REMEMBERS THIS.
HE HAD REACHED OUT TO HEIGHTSNEXT AND SOME OF THE COMMUNITY GROUPS, THE LIONS, AND HAD SAID, HEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT DOING, YOU KNOW, WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT? AND IT WENT REALLY WELL THE FIRST YEAR.
BUT IN A SUSTAINABLE GROWTH, IT'S JUST GREAT TO SEE.
I HAD TWO OTHER THINGS I HAD FORGOT TO MENTION.
AND THAT WAS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BAY.
IT WAS A LOT OF FUN TO SEE EVERYBODY THERE.
AND THEN ALSO, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT DID DRUG TAKE BACK DAY ON SATURDAY AND JUST WANT TO GIVE A JUST A LITTLE KUDOS TO THAT AND JUST LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOUR MEDICATION NEEDS TO BE SAFELY DEALT WITH WHEN YOU'RE NOT USING IT AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE USING IT, OR IF SOMEONE ELSE IN YOUR FAMILY MAYBE IS NOT USING THEIR MEDICATION AND YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE POLICE STATION, THEY ALWAYS HAVE A CONTAINER FOR DRUGS TO GO AND THEY WILL BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.
SO PLEASE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO ALWAYS BRING THEM TO THE POLICE STATION.
BUT THEY DO A SATURDAY EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
THAT'S A FULL SATURDAY TIME FOR PEOPLE TO STOP BY.
AND THANK YOU. AND THAT IS THE END OF OUR REPORTS.
SO IT TAKES US TO OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
AND I'LL ASK OUR CITY CLERK IF ANYONE HERE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
AND MISS GOMEZ, DID YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL? OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
THERE IS NOBODY ON THE RECORDING OR, SORRY, VIRTUALLY ATTENDING THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
SO WE WILL FINISH OUR MEETING.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO CLOSE THE MEETING.
ADJOURN THE MEETING? SO MOVED.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.