Well, good evening, everybody.

Welcome to the Arlington City Council.

We're not gonna belabor the start of this thing.

I'm gonna invite Dr.

Charles Coos from Park Springs Bible Church to come forward and lead us in an invocation.

If you're able, please stand up.

Father, we are grateful for this great city that you have given us the joy of being in its leaders and its citizens.

We pray that this evening you would be amongst us, granting us wisdom beyond our knowledge, hope in the midst of uncertainty, and Lord, that you would allow us to continue to be a city that dreams for the future of all the life that is here.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

One state, under God, one and indivisible.

Thank you, you may be seated.

All right, Venera Ashley, come on up, you're the first contestants on the prizes, right?

We got a couple of proclamations this evening here, whereas the City of Arlington recognizes the compassion, dedication, and tireless efforts of our Arlington Animal Services who provide daily care and attention to homeless and abandoned pets, often going above and beyond by fostering animals in emergency situations, and whereas AAS serves as a vital community resource, equipping residents with the tools and education needed to build a responsible pet community while rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals to give them a second chance at a wonderful life.

And whereas the City of Arlington encourages the community to adopt Don't Shop, recognize that while adoption saves lives and reduces pet overpopulation, it also curbs the demand that fuels breeding operations.

And whereas pets adopted from AAS receive core vacuum vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm and combo testing, and spay and neuter services, y'all do all of that?

Holy cow.

Newter service, ensuring a healthy, responsible and cost effective start to pet owner ownership.

And whereas AAS provides year-round opportunities for residents to make a difference beyond adoption through volunteering, donating, fostering, networking, networking animals and participating in outreach and education events.

And whereas AAS is currently experiencing overcrowding, making adoption efforts more crucial, as adopting even one animal directly saves a life and opens a kennel for another in need, creating what is known as the rescue effect.

And whereas high intake rates of unwanted and abandoned animals continue to strain shelter resources, making adoptions and support essential to maintaining humane care standards and preventing youth in Asia for capacity.

And whereas by choosing adoption, Arlington residents provide love, compassion, and a second chance to deserving animals.

Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the city of Arlington, do hereby proclaim November third through ninth, twenty twenty-five, as Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

Thank y'all.

One of y'all say something up here first, then we'll take a picture.

We're so thankful for the support.

We're so thankful for the support that the City of Arlington, uh, City Council as well as the management, the departments, and our community gives us each and every day.

We couldn't do this without the support of our community, and we think are so thankful for you all.

Congratulations, ladies and milia and meg, were you.

Oh no, this is the American Indian heritage and not Amelia.

Handy wrote this.

I can't even read it.

Meg Anderson.

And whereas the Village Creek and Rush Creek areas of present day West Arlington were once home to as many as 25,000 indigenous people.

And whereas the Caddo Nation, known for their agricultural practices and complex societal structure, were the earliest residents of what is now Arlington arriving in the area over 7,000 years ago.

And whereas members of the Comanche tribe, known for their whole horse culture, resided in the Arlington area.

As did the Tanakawa and Wichita, y'all are going to really challenge me with this.

And Wichita and all of them contributed to our area's rich history.

And whereas their customs and traditions are respected and celebrated as part of a rich legacy throughout North Texas.

And whereas Native American Awareness Week began in seven 1976, and recognition was expanded by Congress and approved by President George Bush in August of 1990, designating the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month.

Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, Mayor of the City of Arlington, encourage our community to participate in the cultural, educational, and historical activities planned around this celebration, and do hereby proclaim November 2025 as American Indian Heritage Month.

Thank y'all ladies.

Thank you, Mayor Ross, for um helping us celebrate uh Native American Heritage Month.

Uh speaking of the cultural events, I know there are several things that the Arlington Public Library is going to be doing this month, and even UTA has got some activities going on.

And we, our DAR chapter, uh has a display in the foyer of the uh Southeast branch of the public library.

So got a few things going on.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

We'll get this out of the way and take a picture.

Thank you.

Okay, Mr.

Buskin, let's get down to business.

Uh guidelines and general decorum, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

We ask that the citizens and other visitors in attendance assist in preserving the order and decorum of this meeting and to provide for attendance at and participation in the meeting without fear of intimidation, threats, or hostility.

Any person making personal, profane, hostile, slanderous, or threatening remarks who uses vulgar or obscene language, who engages in any other actions that disturb or are calculated to disturb the meeting, or who becomes disruptive while addressing the mayor in the city council or while attending the city council meeting may be removed from the council chambers.

All speakers shall address the city council and not the audience or city staff and shall not call out individually named members of city staff or the public.

For speakers tonight, when your name is called, please come to the microphone at the podium and state your name and city of residence for the record.

Speakers may not use music, videos, other forms of media signs or props.

During public hearings for zoning cases, the applicant will be asked to speak first and will be given five minutes to make a presentation.