American dream city.

That's why we're still here after 20 years because of this community.

This is in our community.

This is where we live, this is where we work, this is where the kids went to school.

This was important, and I just wanted other people to feel the same way that we did.

That's our main draw, where we read books with them and we sing songs and do rhymes and really get them excited about reading and books and the library for the older kids, kind of ages five through twelve.

We do a lot of after school activities that involve art and also different STEAM initiatives, so science, technology, engineering, and math.

And then for our older teens, a lot of our programs focus on like pulp culture, so things that are currently very popular and that the teens are interested in.

So we've done things like video game tournaments or K-pop music programs as

well.

And it also gives kids a really good opportunity to meet new people and make new friends that they might not just make from like going to school.

All of our programs at the library are always free.

They don't even require a library card.

Sometimes we do ask for our patrons to register beforehand, just so we can have a head count of how many are coming.

So you can always give us a call at the library or walk in and ask any of our staff members, and all of our information is always updated on our website.

We actually have a calendar that we update frequently that has the times and locations of where everything is happening.

And we have programs at different times of day as well as different days of the week.

So even if you're a parent who works all week, you can still visit the library on the weekends.

We'll always have programs or crafts or activities available for them.

Children's Day is a national initiative that encourages kids to read and families to read together with their children, and it's just a celebration of children of all diverse uh backgrounds and cultures in the world and a celebration of literature and community.

Humanity.

I

am going to invite the always pleasant Dr.

Renee Fowler Hornbuckle from the Destiny Global Ministries to come forward and lead us in an invocation.

Good to see you again, Pastor.

Good to be here.

I love being here.

Let me just say that.

If you'll pray with me.

Dear Heavenly Father, we just come before you today with praise and thanksgiving on our lips.

We thank you for the privilege of gathering today in service to the city of Arlington.

We acknowledge that leadership is both a privilege and responsibility, and we ask, oh God, for your wisdom to guide every decision made in this chamber.

Bless our mayor, city council member, city leadership, and every individual entrusted with the responsibility of serving this community.

Grant them clarity of thought, integrity of heart, courage and difficult decisions, and compassion for those whose voices may not always be heard.

We lift up the needs of our dream community, the safety of our neighborhoods, the well-being of our families, the opportunities for our young people, economic stability, and the wise stewardship of the resources entrusted to the city.

And Father, as our nation enters this important election season, we pray for peace, integrity, fairness, and meaningful civic participation.

May collaboration prevail over competition, service over self-interest, and understanding over discord.

We believe that all of this represents our city.

And so tonight, we commit this meeting, the city, and the work that you've entrusted to all of us into your hands in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Amen.

Please join us in the pledge of allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands.

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

Honor the Texas flag.

I pledge allegiance

to the

Texas one

state under God.

One and individual.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Ms.

Garcia, speaker guidelines and general decorum, please.

We ask that the citizens and other visitors in attendance assist in preserving the order and decorum of this meeting and encouraging attendance at and participation in the meeting.

Any person making threatening remarks or who uses obscene language or engages in any other actions that disturb or are calculated to disturb the meeting or who becomes disruptive while addressing the mayor and 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.

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.