We'll get started here in one minute.

Like to call to order the regular council meeting of September ninth, twenty twenty-five.

Our invocation this evening will be by Pastor Delmer Ghisi of Life Community Church.

Councilmember Monty Lyons.

Here.

And Councilmember Jim Torgeson.

A quorum is present.

Thank you.

We have one proclamation tonight.

Declaring September 2025 is National Suicide Prevention Month.

Councilmember Torgesson.

Well, this isn't time for me to talk about myself.

I actually want you guys to introduce yourselves and tell you a little bit us a little bit about why you're involved.

My name is Jessica Nicely.

I'm the CEO and founder of Wing Tope Family Advocacy Foundation.

To my right, starting with the white sweater and all the way down our board members, and on the very end is my son Spencer.

This matters to me because 27 years ago, uh my daddy died by suicide, and um he uh was also my abuser.

And so I spoke loudly about that for the past 29 years, and as a result, his family had a lot of anger about it, and I think that's something that people don't talk about a lot, but with suicide, it's such a difficult and extensive loss that people need someone to blame.

And unfortunately, I was that person, so I still don't speak to many of my family members because they still blame me for his death.

And so I'm here because um after starting Wingtope, we've jumped in and helped so many families and walked with them through either um attempted suicides or completed suicides, and it's just such a gift and honor for me to be here.

It's very personal for me to be able to stand up here to have my baby with me, to have my dear friends with me, um, and to be able to be a voice for those struggling.

Um, and I just want to say what we've always said to our babies too everything is overcomable, everything except suicide.

Um, if there's something that you're thinking of or struggling with, it can be overcome.

But once you make that decision, we can't turn back.

So I just ask you if you are in crisis or you need help or you love someone who does, reach out to us, and we'd like to be there for you.

Thank you.

Uh my name is Caitlin Kirkham.

I'm the clinical director and clinician over at the Hope Institute of C USD.

We're an outpatient mental health treatment center that solely treats folks who are having thoughts of suicide ages five and up.

Um so this is very important to me because of the work that I do day in, day out working, sitting with folks in their darkest moments who are struggling with the decision to live and sometimes actively experiencing suicidal thoughts or suicide behaviors when they leave us.

Um I myself, when I was in high school, struggled and didn't have access to these resources, and it wasn't a conversation that was had.

Um so I appreciate these proclamations being invited here because suicide it's not just a statistic, it's affecting our family, our friends, our co-workers, our whole community, and the more we can have these conversations and have these moments where we're all coming together to talk about it, the more hope and healing that we can bring to our communities.

So thank you.

From the office of the mayor for the town of Gilbert, this proclamation, Suicide Preventions Awareness Month, whereas suicide is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of over 48,000 Americans each year, and is a deeply personal tragedy that affects friends, families, and entire communities, and whereas in Arizona, the suicide rate has reached approximately 18 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average, with Maricopa County, home to the town of Gilbert, reporting a rate of 20.1 per 100,000 in 2023, and whereas suicide is the eighth leasing caught leading cause of death for males and the 11th for females in Arizona, with fire arms involved in 60 percent of completed suicides, highlighting the urgent need for prevention and safe storage education, and whereas youth in Arizona are particularly vulnerable with 17.3% of surveyed youth reporting they seriously considered suicide, and 8.6 having attempted it, often influenced by bullying, substance abuse, and mental health challenges, and whereas suicide is preventable, and through increased awareness, education, and access to mental health resources, we can reduce stigma, support those in crisis, and save lives.

And whereas the town of Gilbert is committed to fostering a compassionate, informed and resilient community where every individual feels feels seen, supported, and valued.

Now, therefore, I, Jim Torgerson, on behalf of Scott Anderson, the mayor of Gilbert, to hereby proclaim September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Gilbert, Arizona.

Encourage all residents to learn the warning signance of suicide and how to respond, support local mental health initiatives and organizations, promote open conversations about mental health and well-being, and reach out to those who may be struggling and offer hope and connection.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, we have a special recognition, recognition of service and leadership for United States Air Force Major General.

I believe retired now.

Is that correct?

Major General Carrie L.

Muhlenbeck and Councilmember Lyons will be doing this.

Charles.

Well, we want to thank you with this certificate of appreciation for the service that you've given to this country to the state of Arizona, and we're proud that you're a resident of the town of Gilbert.

And in recognition of that, we'd like to recognize you with our sincere appreciation for your outstanding service and leadership dedicated to the Adjutant General of Arizona and safeguarding our stay through emergency response and military readiness and public safety.

And like I said, it is an honor that you are among our citizens, and thank you so much.

And we'd like to present you as with this as a token of our appreciation.

Thank you.

Charles, would you like to say that?

Yeah, I just have a few.

Okay.

Um, on a moment is special as this, I have just a few words, if you'll bear with me.

Um good evening, Mr.

Mayor, Councilmembers and fellow Gilbert residents, thank you for this for honoring this great Gilbert resident.

Uh, on behalf of the Veterans Advisory Board, it is my pre privilege to help recognize Major General Carrie Mullenbeck for her extraordinary service to our service, to our state and nation.

Her military career began in 1992, and for more than three decades, she has combined she has more than three decades of combined service in uniform with an accomplished civilian career as an attorney and educator.

General Mullenbeck recently concluded her tenure as Adjutant General of Arizona, where she led the Arizona Army and Air National Guard, joint task force, and emergency management.