This meeting of the Cedar Rapids City Council will come to order.

Welcome everybody to the city of Cedar for being here today, and thank you to city staff as always for attending and being available for questions.

Should we have them after the meeting today?

A reminder to those who are in the gallery today to turn off any electronic devices that might distract us from our proceedings today.

And note that all of our meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are available on our city's website.

Regular sessions are also available to watch live and on replay through Facebook Live.

And before we begin, I would also just like to welcome in the gallery today our students from Isaac Newton Christian Academy, who uh were a large part of the mayor's uh leadership youth leadership summit and followed up with a visit today.

So thank you for your interest and in government.

And now we'll begin with our invocation by public safety chaplain Jim Coyle, followed immediately by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you, Mayor, Council.

Uh what a great time of year for us to be grateful and thankful.

So, God, I just asked that uh your presence would guide the conversations here today, that the decisions that are going to be made will benefit not only Cedar Rapids but for every individual present and not present.

So be with us now, and I pray these things in your name.

Amen.

I'd like to please face over religious stance under God.

And now I'd like to invite our special guests who are here for small business Saturday, every Saturday, to join us here at the Daisy.

Wonderful.

Thank you for making time out.

It isn't lost on us that the people that can't get away at lunch are our small business owners.

So we appreciate you uh making time as we uh work to um elevate the conversation about supporting our local businesses, especially after such a tough weather weekend.

Mother Nature wins every time, but we can do our best.

It's my honor to issue a proclamation today.

Whereas the city of Cedar Rapids is home to a vibrant, diverse, and hardworking community of small business owners whose creativity and dedication strengthen our city's economy, cultural richness, and character through the goods, services, local jobs, and community support they provide.

And whereas the small businesses, artisans, makers, and local restaurateurs play a vital role in sustaining Cedar Rapids' unique identity and quality of life, and continued support for these enterprises helps preserve the cultural assets as well as economic vibrancy that strengthen our city.

And whereas Small Business Saturday is a nationally recognized event held each year following Thanksgiving, which encourages residents to support local merchants and strengthen neighborhood economies, and whereas this year's small business Saturday was heavily impacted by a historic record snowstorm that temporarily closed many of our community's small businesses, reducing opportunities for residents to shop locally and take part in this important annual tradition in our commercial districts and venues.

And whereas extending the spirit of Small Business Saturday throughout the entire month of December will provide residents with additional opportunities to shop and dine locally and support those who make Cedar Rapids a thriving and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.

Now, therefore, I, Tiffany O'Donnell, mayor of the City of Cedar Rapids, alongside my grateful council, do hereby proclaim every Saturday in December as small business Saturday in Cedar Rapids and call upon all community members to join in supporting our local retailers, artisans, service providers, and restaurants during this month and throughout the year.

Thanks for all you do.

Do you want to just say the the businesses you represent today?

Mode Health Hut.

Almost famous pop.

Almost famous pop popcorn.

Funky Cebra's boutique.

Next page, next page books.

Alan Vital Wellness Clinic.

Newbow City Market.

And thank you for again for taking time out.

And we know there are so many more, thousands more in our community that aren't able to be here today, but just know that we support you as well.

So thank you.

I'm going to give this, I'll give this to someone after, okay.

Next up, I need to ask my friend Bart from Next Page Books to stay up here.

Uh what many of you may not know is Bart uh was scheduled to be honored at this meeting for meeting a milestone that all retailers I have to imagine aspire to, and that is uh being around for 10 years through the good times and the bad.

And I'm gonna have, I know your dear friend, uh Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem and Poe read that for you.

Okay.

Well, this one's for you, Bart.

Well, congratulations on 10 years uh of next page books in New Bohemian Czech Village area, we're really proud of you, so thank you so much for your continued commitment to small business in that portion of our community, beloved community, I should say.

This is a proclamation, whereas Next Page Books was founded on December 1st, 2015 in the historic new Bohemian neighborhood of Cedar Rapids and will celebrate 10 years of book selling throughout the month of December.

And whereas Next Page Books serves as a welcoming community gathering place where individuals from all walks of life can engage in free and open expression of ideas, fostering a vibrant culture of dialogue and connection.

And whereas Next Page Books has demonstrated remarkable resilience overcoming economic and natural challenges with continued growth each year since its founding, more than doubling its annual revenue in attracting customers from across the state, nation, and the globe.

Whereas Next Page Books along with Cedar Rapids has generated significant attention at both the state and national level, having been featured on Iowa Public Radio, National Podcasts, ABC's Good Morning America, and KCRG's Everyday Iowa Morning Show, as well as in prestigious publications such as Forbes Magazine and the New York Times.

And whereas Next Page Books has received numerous accolades since 2015, including the recognition of its owner, being named the 2020 entrepreneur of the year by the Little Village magazine for his innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And whereas Next Page Books, Resident Cat, Frank, delights customers and has become a beloved local celebrity working at the shop on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Now, therefore, for IN Poe on behalf of Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell and the entire Cedar Rapids City Council here by proclaimed December 2025 as Next Page Books of Cedar Rapids Month.

Wow.

And encourage residents to visit visit Next Page Books.

Support local businesses and encourage one another through the love of literature, celebrating the profound impact this establishment has had on our community.

Let us come together as a community to honor this milestone and to continue to foster an environment where creativity and conversation can thrive.

Congratulations, Bart.

Oh, I didn't know I had to speak.

So I'm so grateful to be here.