Good evening, everybody.

Welcome to the April 3rd, 2025 City Commission meeting, calling the meeting to order, and we're going to start with invocation and pledge by our city attorney, Jen.

Let us begin this meeting by taking a brief moment of silence and reflection.

Amen.

I'd like to use the United States for which one nation under God.

Okay, we're gonna start with presentations, and we do have four of them tonight.

Uh we're gonna start with National Library Week and the 130th anniversary of the Dunedin Public Library.

Very exciting.

And I'm gonna turn that over to Commissioner Sandbergen.

Thank you, Mayor.

Step right up.

So from 1895 to 2025, from 200 books to what we are today.

The first time I got that nice tour with you, it really changed my, you know, it's no longer a sterile keep your you know, your inside voice and you know, sit down and not do anything.

So but from uh movies to study rooms to DVDs to CDs to um even ukulele's doesn't get much better than that, and it doesn't get much better in the leadership.

So if you don't mind, I would like to go ahead and read this proclamation to you.

Whereas the Dunedin Public Library is celebrating 130 years of service to the community on April 25th, 2025, and whereas libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering a space where individuals of all ages can explore new ideas and be drawn into new possibilities.

And whereas libraries serve as vibrant community hubs, connecting people with knowledge, technology, resources, while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

And whereas libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have the support they need to learn to connect and thrive.

And whereas libraries partner with schools, businesses, and organizations, connecting the dots to maximize resources, increase efficiency, and expand access to essential services, strengthening the entire community.

And whereas libraries nurture young minds through story times, STEAM programs, and literacy initiatives, fostering curiosity and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

And whereas dedicated librarians and library workers provide welcoming spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all.

Now, therefore, I, Stephen Sandbergen, by virtue of the authority vested in me in Mofrini, the mayor of City of Dunedin, and on behalf of the entire city commission to hereby proclaim April 6th through the 12th, 2025 as National Library Week.

During this week, and especially on April 25th, I encourage all residents to visit the library, explore its resources, and celebrate all the ways that the library draws us together as a community, and has done so for 130 years.

Thank you, Miss Phyllis.

The floor is yours.

Okay, so for 130, I get to talk for 130 minutes.

They're all here.

Years of staff members and volunteers from the past have woven into the history of our library.

Founded in 1895 with 200 books from Christopher Booten, who lived on Victoria Drive, the library was the hub of the city before the city was even incorporated as a city at Library Hall in Edgewater Park.

It's the oldest library in Pinellas County.

On April 1st, 1935, Library Hall was officially deeded to the city of Dunedin.

The library has moved through various locations from Edgewater Park to Loudon Ave to Main Street.

And finally to the two iterations on Douglas Avenue.

We are celebrating the whole month of April, our anniversary with an author talk, a library movie screening, a local author showcase, trivia, and inviting our community, so everyone here today to an open house on the anniversary day of April 25th, 1895 is when it was founded, but you can come on 2025.

From one to 5 p.m.

And we have a special history of the library with a special guest, Eric Houghton at 2 p.m.

So we invite everyone to join.

Come, you'll see all these historic pieces that we have.

We have the library ledgers from 1900, so you can see what LB Skinner checked out and what Grant checked out and Sutherland, and you'll recognize all the names.

I feel honored to be part of the Dunedin Public Library history and thank all of those before me and those to come.

So I have something special to share.

One of our staff members, Jennifer Castle, that's here, and Brooke Nolan from our communications department created a short video of Dunedin Library through the years.

So see if you remember these locations.

So thank you so much.

Library advisory.

Yeah, let's get everybody up.

We'll try not to mess up the picture here.

Okay, our next item is uh Shredfest recognition for Dunedin High School, uh NJROTC and Achieve a Credit Union, and I guess Natalie and Savannah are gonna come forward and take this all over.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners, and all of those joining us here today.

Natalie Gass, sustainability program manager for the city, and joined by Savannah Bunch, our environmental specialist.

We are honored to stand before you today to recognize two outstanding partners who have played a pivotal role in the success of our annual Shredfest event.

Dunedin High School, NJROTC program, and Achieve a Credit Union.

Over the years, the annual Shredfest event has become a highly anticipated, greatly appreciated, and eagerly expected tradition within the community as it provides residents with a free and secure way to dispose of their personal documents.

Shredfest started in 2014.

Some may remember when it was brand branded as Shred Toberfest and fell in the month of October.

About six years ago, the event was moved to be held in the January-February time frame to stay clear of hurricane season, and just so happens to coincide with the annual of decolor decluttering that is usually a result of New Year's resolutions.

First, to recognize the NJROTC students, chief and program staff from Dunedin High School.

Thank you.

Year after year, these dedicated young volunteers show up on time, work with professionalism and respect, and demonstrate a level of commitment that speaks volumes about the values instilled in them by the program.

These students continue to represent Dunedin High School with pride, and we're incredibly fortunate to have them as key partners in this event.