On behalf of the City Council myself, I'd like to welcome you to the February the third 2026 meeting.

I will now call the meeting to order.

First up, we will have the invocation, and that will be Councilman Glenn Silverman.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Take a moment.

Source of life, hope, and shared purpose.

We come together this evening with gratitude for this community and the opportunity to serve it.

We give thanks for the gift of life and health for the people of the city and state and all who decide who dedicate themselves to the public good.

Our first responders, public servants, volunteers, and neighbors who work every day with tireless dedication, integrity, and care.

Bless this land and all who call it home.

Let it be a place where hope rises, where dignity is honored, and where everyone belongs.

Shelter us in compassion and stretch over us a canopy of safety, justice, and respect.

Grant wisdom and clarity to those who lead and serve, and guide them with courage, humility, and commitment to the common good.

Help us to listen to one another with openness and respect, to learn from one another, and to collaborate with unity and purpose.

May we be bold in our vision, thoughtful in our decisions, and faithful to a future that is brighter and more equitable for all.

We lift up those facing hardship, uncertainty, or loss.

May we be sources of comfort, strength, and hope in every circumstance.

Fill this gathering with encouragement, clarity, and purpose, inspire us to uplift one another to lead with compassion and to strive each day to do better, be better, and serve better.

May peace take root in our neighborhoods, and joy in our homes.

Let justice, understanding, understanding, and kindness shape every street, every school, and every gathering place.

May our shared efforts build a future where we can all live in safety, dignity, and hope.

Amen.

Everybody would rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Each of you should have a copy of the agenda in front of you.

Are there any corrections, additions, deletions to the agenda as presented?

Motion to approve the agenda.

Can I have a second?

Second.

Have a second by Mayor Pro Tim.

All those in favor?

It's unanimous.

Next up, approval of the amendment, we have one set, which is the January 20th, 2026 meeting.

Uh are there any objections to that?

Having heard none, can I have a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Have a motion by Councilman Silverman.

Can I have a second?

Have a second by Councilwoman Barber.

All those in favor.

Councilwoman Drear.

All those in favor?

It's unanimous.

Next up, we're going to have a proclamation recognizing February the 7th through the 14th, 2026 as congenital heart defect awareness week.

The recipient is Miss Amanda Shipman, and it'll be presented by Councilwoman Stepp.

Okay, I'm going to read the proclamation to start with.

So our proclamation reads as follows, whereas congenital heart defects or CHDs are the most common birth defects affecting nearly one and one hundred newborns in the United States each year, including children and families within the city of Gastonia, and whereas congenital heart defects encompass a wide range of conditions from mild to complex, many of which require lifelong specialized medical care, surgical intervention, and ongoing monitoring, and whereas individuals living with congenital heart defects and their families often face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges require an extraordinary resilience, advocacy, and community support, and whereas continued medical research, advancements in treatment, and improved long term outcomes for individuals with congenital heart defects depend on sustained funding for research, education, early detection, and access to specialized care.

And whereas raising public awareness and promoting education about congenital heart defects are vital to encouraging early diagnosis, supporting research efforts, improving treatment outcomes, and enhancing quality of life for those affected, and whereas congenital heart defect awareness week provides an important opportunity to recognize the strength of affected individuals and families, honor those who have lost their lives to congenital heart defects, and acknowledge the dedication of health care professionals, researchers, advocates, and organizations committed to advancing care and support.

Now, therefore, let it be resolved.

I, Richard Franks, the mayor of the City of Gastonia and the City Council of the City of Gastonia to hereby proclaim the week of February 7th through 14th, 2026 as congenital heart defect awareness week.

In witness thereof, I hear unto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Gastonia to be affixed.

This is the third day of February in the year of our Lord, 2026, signed by the Honorable Richard Franks and attested by Suzanne Gibbs, our city clerk.

Would you like to say anything?

Come on now, can you come up?

Come here.

Introduce her to us.

This is Savannah.

She is four and a half years old, and she was diagnosed with a CHD when she was three weeks old.

She was diagnosed with a hole in her heart after being overlooked by multiple doctors.