Oh yeah.

I wish they would sink that.

Like that clock with like the actual thing.

Okay.

It is 53.

And I will call the uh Grand Junction City Council meeting to order for March 18th.

All

right, we will start with the uh Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence, if you all please stand.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

Okay, we are going to start this evening off with a proclamation.

We do have we did have one scheduled for um Caesar Chavez Day, but that was polled.

So we'll go right into the uh March 26th, or excuse me, the uh we're gonna proclaim March 2026 as brain injury awareness month in the city of Grand Junction.

And we have a lot of our friends from Hilltop here this evening, so I'm excited to have them and welcome them here.

Um I also want to express that I have a dear family member that has a uh traumatic brain injury that I talk to probably

two

to three times a week, and he is a big part of my life, and it is uh I think it it's very very important to be thinking about the the uh the challenges that that these uh community members face, but also just that they're all they're they're part of our lives, and and and um I'm just I'm thrilled to have such a great relationship.

You know, Brian's here all the time and always uh invite invites myself and other council members um to uh to the campus for their meetings.

So it's very meaningful.

Um and with that, I'll go ahead and read the proclamation.

So and did is uh Mallory Rodriguez

here.

Yep.

If you want to um accept the uh podium, we'll be asking you to accept the proclamation.

So um this is from the city of Grand Junction.

Uh whereas brain injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, affecting individuals of all ages, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, including many within the city of Grand Junction, and whereas a brain injury can have profound physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral effects, presenting unique challenges to those affected, their families, and their caregivers.

And whereas Hilltops brain injury services plays a cru a crucial role in our community by providing comprehensive support for adults with brain injuries, offering personalized assistance and resources that empower individuals to live as independently as possible, fostering dignity and self-sufficiency, and whereas Hilltop's brain injury services has also created a community of inclusion, where individuals living with uh brain injuries can come together in an environment free of judgment, a place where they can share in camaraderie and joy, offering each other understanding and friendship and celebrating their strengths and progress, and whereas awareness of brain injuries and the challenges faced by those who uh live with them is essential to creating a more supportive and inclusive society where individuals can thrive and reach their full potential, and whereas the month of March is recognized as brain injury awareness month nationwide, bringing the attention to the impact of brain injuries, promoting prevention, and advocating for improved access to care and resources for survivors and their families, and whereas the City of Grand Junction is proud to join in these efforts to raise awareness and support all of those affected by brain injuries, including the life-changing work being done by Hilltops Brain Injury Services.

Now, therefore, on behalf of the Grand Junction City Council and the community members of the Grand of Grand Junction, we recognize March 2026 as Brain Injury Awareness

Month.

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

Today we gather to celebrate the recognition of March as brain injury awareness month, bringing attention to the impact of brain injuries, supporting those living with brain injuries,

promoting awareness and brain injury education.

Brain injuries affect millions of Americans every year, and many people live with lifelong cognitive, physical, and emotional changes.

Awareness helps reduce stigma and ensures people receive the support and services they need.

At Brain Injury Services, the Life Adjustment Program, this awareness is more than a campaign.

It is the work we do every day.

We are proud to support individuals on their journey of growth, independence, and meaningful living.

Every interaction, every success, and every moment of progress reflects the dedication and heart our team brings to this mission.

We take time to recognize the resilience of the individuals we serve and the incredible commitment of the staff who walk alongside

them.

Together we continue to build understanding, promote inclusion, and celebrate the strength of our community.

This evening I would like to introduce Anthony.

He is

a member of the at the brain injury campus, and he would like to say a few words.

Hi, I'm Anthony Paul.

I'm from uh Hilltop.

Uh I've recently lived there for over a year.

And my Aunt Cindy got me in there through pulling strings and making sure that I would be okay where I'm at, and that uh everything that's happened since I've been in Hilltop has been more than a dream come true because I've got to live out my life and focus on the things that I need to focus on to deliver my uh my uh my message to people that need that kind of care and that kind of uh push through life and it's just become super educational, super I mean it's just been such a good opportunity that I can't really fault myself from from being from being up here by myself because I know I have plenty of people that support me and guide me towards the right uh steps in life, and and I got people that care for me and and the people that care.

So far, I've been um Hilltop, and I'm just appreciative for everything that's happened towards my experience and my time staying at Hilltop, and it's been such a good opportunity that I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I'm just thankful that I'm

there.

All right, thank you.

That what a great way to start our night.

Um our next um our next item is public comment.

And this is the time for individuals to comment on any topic except those listed on the regular agenda under the public hearing section.

Speakers will have three minutes to make comments when the 30 seconds remain, you will see a yellow light and hear a beep.

Once your time is up, you will see a red light and hear continuous beeps.

I would ask that uh we refrain from clapping, booing, making um any other signs of of support or or objection to what anybody is saying.

Just treat whoever's at the podium as you would want to be treated.

Let's just treat each other well.