All right, we are going to bring the city council meeting for Wednesday, January 7th to orders at 532.

And we will start with a Pledge of Allegiance.

And to the Republic for which we

stand one nation

under God, individual liberty and justice with all.

So to start us off, we have uh council member Stout who will be reading the proclamation for the City of Grand Junction as an inclusive city.

City of Grand Junction, State of Colorado Proclamation.

Whereas Grand Junction, Colorado is a city that welcomes and celebrates people of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders, economic status, and physical and mental circumstances.

The

City of Grand Junction cherishes our diversity and believes it enhances the quality of life in our community.

And whereas Grand Junction respects diversity and desires to ensure that the human rights of all people are protected, and to that end, the city implores all citizens to make known that we do not tolerate discrimination in any form and recognize that marginalized individuals experience increased instances of bias, hate speech, bigotry, and violence through no fault of their

own.

And whereas the residents of Grand Junction are urged to work together to engage in dialogue and move forward to ensure all Grand Junction residents feel their voices are heard, and to ensure that our community will foster equality, social justice, and freedom from fear, fear of persecution based on race, religious belief, country of origin, sexual orientation, gender, income, disability, age, or family status.

And whereas the residents of Grand Junction are urged to expand community outreach, engagement, and authentic collaboration that will empower each Grand Junction resident with the ability and desire to help create a society that condemns racism, misogyny, intolerance, discrimination, or oppression toward any person.

Now

therefore, the City of Grand Junction City Council commits to support, participate in, and help expand inclusivity conversations in support of a community that is free of oppression, persecution, and hate.

I

believe we have Amanda Salinas

here from

the Center for Independence to receive the proclamation.

For the past 44 years, the Center of Independence has held has had the privilege of serving citizens of Grand Junction and surrounding communities.

Our mission has always been rooted in one core belief that people with disabilities have the right to live independently, make their own choices, and fully participate in community life.

One of our five core services is advocacy, both individual and system.

Advocacy is not just about addressing barriers one person at a time.

It's about creating lasting change that benefits the entire community.

Over the years, we have worked alongside city leaders, planners, and community partners to help improve accessibility and inclusivity across Grand Junction.

This includes efforts to support accessible buildings, parking, sidewalks with curb cuts, public transportation, and transfer stations, parks, uh restaurants, and public spaces.

These improvements do more than just increase access for people with disabilities.

They make our city safer, easier to navigate, and more welcoming for everyone.

This includes parents with strollers, older adults, veterans, and visitors alike.

This award reflects the collaborative spirit of Grand Junction and is shared commitment to building a city where everyone belongs.

We are thankful for the city's leadership and partnership

in

advancing um equality, access and inclusive.

Um the Center for Independence is honored by recognizing this recognition as we remain committed to continuing this work, empowering individuals, advocating for change, and helping to ensure that Grand Junction is a city where all people can live, work, and thrive together.

Thank you again.

Thank you.

And with that, we have Councilmember Bielfis uh reading a proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr.

Day.

Thank you.

Um

the

City of Grand Junction State of Colorado proclamation.

Whereas that all people, regardless of the color of their skin, their persp the persuasion of their theology or the level of their intelligence, were built by one creator with one blood, designed and fashioned to live on one earth with one another.

And whereas Martin Luther King Jr.

was a minister who dedicated his life for this purpose so we may, as Americans, truly live out the Declaration of Independence as we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

And whereas the third Monday of each January is acknowledged as Martin Luther King Junior Day in Grand Junction to honor a great American who awakened a nation's pre conscience to not judge a person by the color of their skin, by but by the content of their character.

Now, therefore, on behalf of the city

of

of Grand Junction Council and the citizens of Grand Junction, we recognize January 19th, 2026 as Martin Luther King Junior Day in the City of Grand Junction encourage and encourage all citizens of Grand Junction to observe this day with appropriate activities and programs that honor the memory and legacy of Dr.

King.

Elijah Williams will be accepting the proclamation.

Y'all can hear?

Yes, you can.

I can hear the echo.

I just want to say, first and foremost, my name's Elijah Williams, and I'm speaking on behalf of Black Citizens and Friends.

Um Council, thank y'all for um thank you all for supporting Black Citizen Friends for the previous years as well as this year.

I know that to some people it's of significance, and to others, it's really not of significance.

So I just want to say thank you for taking the time to acknowledge Martin Luther King Junior Day as uh as a um a uh as a uh celebration, pardon the the lack of words, but yes, I just want to say thank you and this is this is I'm just soaking in the moment, y'all.

Pardon me.