Good evening and welcome to the mayor and board of alderman regular public meeting for the 17th of November.

We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

To the Republic for which it stands.

Under God.

Liberty and Justice for All.

We have minutes to approve October 20th, 2022 regular meeting.

Move for approval.

Second.

Motion by Alderman Kazemchak, seconded by Alderman Russell.

All those in favor.

That is 5-0.

Thank you very much.

Nice to see you back here, Alderman Shackelford feeling feeling better.

Thank you.

I have report of a closed meeting to read into the record.

Closed session summary Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 at 5 30 p.m.

Motion made by Alderman McKazemchak, seconded by Alderman Shackleford.

The Board of Alderman voted 4 to 0 with Alderman McShane not present to convene in closed session for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee employee or official over whom it has jurisdiction pursuant to Section 3-305 B1i of the General Provisions Article Maryland annotated code.

Present were Mayor Michael O'Connor and Alderwoman Katie Nash, Alderman Kelly Russell, Alderman Derrick Shackelford, and Alderwoman Donna Kazemchak.

Item one others present were Rachel Nesson, Acting City Attorney, Phyllis Haynes, City Clerk, Katie Barkdahl, Director of Budget Administration, and Karen Paulson, Director of Human Resources.

The topic for discussion was appointment of personnel on a motion made by Alderman Russell and seconded by Alderwoman Kazemchak.

The board voted four to zero to approve the mayor's appointment of Patty Slimmer to the position of Director of Finance, effective November 3rd, 2022 at the requested salary.

Item number two, others present were Rachel Nesson, Acting City Attorney Phyllis Hain, City Clerk, Karen Paulson, Director of Human Resources.

On a motion made by Alderwoman Kazemchak and seconded by Alderwoman Nash, the board voted four to zero to uphold the recommendation of the personnel board.

The meeting was adjourned at 6 15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted.

Phyllis Hain, City Clerk.

Mayor's comments.

Knowing, however, since I received uh yesterday a report of a positive COVID test among a member of the city uh staff that it's not gone and flu season is rearing its its uh its ugly head as it does every year.

Um worse in some places than others, and so um I would just ask everyone to continue to be mindful of general good neighborhood and citizenship when it comes to public health.

That uh if you're not feeling well, uh do everyone a favor and take some time to convalce.

And um uh it's the only time I'll say don't share.

Please don't share.

And so um we certainly wish throughout the holiday season that everyone finds um reasons for peace and thanksgiving.

And uh it's gonna be a whirlwind, I'm sure.

Um so find time to rest and uh be with family and friends.

Whatever whatever recharges your battery, find a way over the coming weeks to find the things that recharge your battery.

Alderman comments.

Alderman Shackelford.

Oh, thank you.

Um good to be back.

Thank you, colleagues, for your uh your concerns and for your will wishes um feeling better today.

Um, also thank you, Mayor.

Um this is up next week is Thanksgiving.

I'm also mindful of those persons who have voice in their family during this time.

It's a difficult time, so let's please have some compassion and understanding with each other.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Alderwoman Ash.

Along those lines, uh, there was a gentleman here yesterday who uh was advocating for greater uh services for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and I wanted to lift up that voice and uh also compliment the mayor and his staff for following up with that gentleman.

I've heard several follow-ups just in the short time that I've been here uh specifically about ways that we can work uh together with someone who came in to advocate and uh it's a good time to remember um as Alderman Shackelford said those who are um finding entering the season a period of struggle.

So thank you very much.

Thank you.

Alderman Russell uh thank you, and I'll just add to that that there are uh a lot of folks that'll be uh working for us during these holiday seasons.

Some some of us had the great opportunity to take some time off, and others continue to work for us 24-7.

So uh just keep those folks and their families in your minds because they are uh sacrificing so that uh we can have a great quality of life here.

Thank you, Alderman McZemC.

I I think most of it has been said, just please stay safe.

Um it does tend to be a uh more difficult time of year, so please pay attention to those who who may be having a difficult time.