The council.

In Mayor Shahnman's absence, it is my privilege to conduct this evening's meeting.

I'm Alan Johnson, Deputy Mayor, and we extend a warm meeting um warm welcome to everyone here in City Hall, as well as to everyone who's joining us online tonight.

Council Member Ronin, President Foberg, Present Liebelt present Ward President.

Oh, second.

Okay, we have a motion from Liebel, second from Folberg.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

And next we'll uh get approval of the minutes for this evening.

Do I have a motion?

So moved.

We have a motion from Nielsen and a second from Novstrop.

All in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed.

Thank you.

With the council's permission, before we dive further into the agenda, I would like to share very brief remarks, if I may.

Last Wednesday evening, as you know, we learned with great sorrow of a tragic accident that claimed the life of young Emerson Shannon and Emerson's father, our mayor Travis Shanneman sustained serious injuries.

Emerson's 10-year-old sister was also injured.

And the loss has deeply affected the Aberdeen community.

I would say that this accident has dominated the thoughts and touched the hearts of city staff, this council, and much of the community.

And so to Travis Kelly and extended family, our hearts are heavy, and we mourn with you, and we're united in our love and affection for you.

What impresses me perhaps most tonight is the outpouring of love and generous support from the community.

It's been gratifying and rather amazing.

I've lived here 41 years and cannot recall an experience where I have felt uh such unity and bonding across the city.

Uh Shannum and family, the love that you have for our city is being reflected back to you.

And thank you, Aberdeen citizens, for your powerful response and your well-wishes.

Uh we're encouraged by your recovery, Travis, and pray for continued blessings of health and healing for you and your daughter and family.

And may you continue to feel our compassion and find peace, comfort, and strength in the days ahead.

From all accounts, Emerson was a bright light, uh, special, joyful, faithful, one of a kind young man, and at times uh words are insufficient.

And to express our condolences properly and to signify the impact of Emerson's life, we'll now observe a moment of silence and reflection in his honor, thank you very much.

Thank you.

Um we have anyone signed up for open forum?

Thank you for checking that.

Uh on our consent calendar, we have six items, and these include um one important item, item 5A is a notice of special meeting to be held Monday, August 31st.

That's next week at 5 30 p.m.

here in city council chambers for input from business interests on a potential ordinance regarding data centers.

And this would be an opportunity for the public to join us here in the chambers or online uh to hear presentations and input from specifically businesses and organizations uh who might uh provide valuable insight.

Beyond that, uh we have reports and minutes from four city boards, uh bid date for snow removal services, um, some malt beverage and wine and cider uh licenses and two lottery notices.

Uh do I have a motion to approve the consent calendar?

Move to approve.

Second.

All right, we have a motion from eConger, second from Ward.

All in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

Any questions on any of those six items?

Perfect.

Uh there is no old business, so we jump into new business.

And here also we have six items.

And uh the first is um possible approval of the reappointment of Brad Gardner to the City Board of Zoning adjustment, and that uh service would begin August 24th.

Ken, any comments, input?

Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

Uh, Mr.

Gardner has just completed his first three-year term on the board and has indicated that he would like to serve a second third three-year term.

Uh Brad comes to us with a background in building inspection um co-enforcement, and he has been an asset to the board and will continue to be so going forward.