Welcome to your Denver City Council.

Please stand by.

Full coverage of your Denver City Council begins now.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you for joining us.

Tonight's meeting is being interpreted into Spanish.

Sam, would you please introduce yourself and let our viewers know how to enable translation on their devices?

Yes, of course.

Thank you for having us today.

Good afternoon.

My name is Sam Guzmán with the CLC.

And along with my colleague Alejandro, we will be interpreting today's meeting into Spanish.

I'm gonna give the instructions in Spanish on how to access interpretation.

Thank you, Sam.

Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting of Monday, August 26, 2024.

Council members, please rise as you are able and join Councilmember Gilmore in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council members, please join Councilmember Gilmore as they lead us in the Denver City Council land acknowledgement.

Thank you, Council President.

The Denver City Council honors and acknowledges that the land on which we reside is the traditional territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples.

We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado.

We honor elders past, present, and future, and those who have stewarded this land throughout generations.

We also recognize that government, academic, and cultural institutions were founded upon and continue to enact exclusions and erasures of indigenous peoples.

May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and inequalities and recognize the current and future contributions of indigenous communities in Denver.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Madam Secretary, roll call.

Here El Pitros.

Madam President.

Here ten members present.

There are ten members present.

Council has a quorum.

Approval of the minutes.

Are there any corrections to the minutes of August 19th?

Seeing none, the minutes stand approved.

Council announcements.

Are there any council announcements this evening?

We'll start off with Councilman Hines.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um this day, 16 years ago, we had the Democratic National Convention here in Denver.

And on this day, 16 years ago, I could walk.

This is as the military calls it my live day, as in uh there was a uh critical impactful event that happened as in a crash.

Um and so I celebrate today as the 16th anniversary where I chose not to die.

And yet I am so I am still here, and I'm so glad uh to be here in the presence of all these uh lovely colleagues and uh the audience outside.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Heinz, for sharing that um anniversary with us today.

Seeing there are no other council announcements, are there no presentations?

There are no communications.

There is one proclamation being read this afternoon.

Councilmember Gilmer, will you please read proclamation 241103?

Yes, thank you, Council President.

Whereas the Taste of Ethiopia Festival in Colorado has served as a vibrant celebration of Ethiopian culture, cuisine, and community for the past decade, with a majority of festivals taking place in Parkfield Park in the Montbello community.

And whereas this annual festival has become a hallmark event, attracting thousands of attendees from diverse backgrounds across the metro area to celebrate the rich heritage and traditions of Ethiopia, whereas the Taste of Ethiopia Festival has fostered cultural exchange, understanding, and unity among residents of Denver and the greater metro area, showcase showcasing the vibrant mosaic of cultures that define our city, and whereas local restaurants, small businesses, and artisans have contributed to contributed to the festival's success, offering a wide array of authentic Ethiopian cuisine crafts and goods that enrich the cultural tapestry of our community, and whereas this event has measurably and immeasurably enriched and strengthened our community's cultural diversity, inviting people of all backgrounds to expand their understanding, meet new people, and bring our community closer together.

And whereas this monumental gathering and exchange of culture and joy would not have been possible without the time, talents, and dedication of the staff and volunteers who have made it their mission to showcase and share their culture with our community and all of Colorado, and whereas the dedication of the founding volunteers who have encouraged countless others to join them and share in this event, further growing this gathering and inviting even more people to this unique, powerful, and joyous exchange of culture.

And whereas the 10-year milestone of the Taste of Ethiopia Festival represents a decade of dedication, collaboration, and community spirit that has strengthened bonds and enhanced the cultural vibrancy of our city, surrounding metro area, and the state of Colorado.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by Denver City Council, Section One that the Denver City Council recognizes and honors the Taste of Ethiopia's festival's 10-year anniversary and the efforts of its staff and volunteers.

Second to section two, that the clerk and recorder of the city and county of Denver shall affix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation, and that a copy be transmitted to the Taste of Ethiopia, Colorado.

Thank you, Councilmember Gilmar.

Your motion to adopt.

I move that proclamation 24-1103 be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded.