I know we probably don't have to do that.

Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to our city council meeting for April the 11th.

We have kind of a short agenda tonight, but we do have a good proclamation for the Elks.

Before we get into that, we'll have um please rise and we'll have a moment of silence and pledge of leadance.

Thank you.

Please join us in a pledge of allegiance.

I pledge the flag of the United States of America.

And two for which we stand.

In accordance with section 84 1412 of the Nebraska revised statute, it's a current copy of the open meetings act is available for the use plus on all the council chambers.

Uh we could take roll call, please.

Mayor Claus here.

Bush Cutter.

Here.

Okay, oral communication.

So we invite the folks from the Elks to come up to the podium.

And uh we will read uh the youth week proclamation and then if you want to do a photo op with council, we'll come down and we'll just do photo op.

So uh the proclamation says whereas the benevolent and protective order of elks was designated, has designated May 1 through 7, 2023 as youth week to honor America's junior citizens for their accomplishments and to give fitting recognition of their services to community, state, and nation.

And whereas Carney Elk's Lodge number nine eighty-four will sponsor an observance during that week in tribute to the junior citizens of this community.

And whereas no event could be more deserving of our support and participation than one dedicated to these young people who represent the nation's greatest resource, and who in years ahead will assume the responsibility for the advancement of our free society.

And whereas our youth need the guidance, inspiration, encouragement, which we can give in order to help develop these qualities of character essential for future leadership and to go forth to serve America.

And we're asked to achieve this worthy objective.

We should demonstrate our partnership with youth, our understanding of their hopes and aspirations, and a sincere willingness to help them uh prepare them in every way for the responsibilities and opportunities for citizenship.

Now therefore be it resolved on behalf of the citizens of Kearney.

We hereby proclaim May 1 through May 7th, 2023 as youth week and urge all departments of government, civic, paternal and patriotic groups, and all our citizens generally to participate wholeheartedly in service.

Dated this 11th day of April 2023.

So before we do the pit, you want to talk a little about what some of the things you got planned, maybe?

Great.

Thank you very much, Mayor.

Appreciate it.

And all the council members, thank you.

I'd like to introduce JC Paul and Riley Harris, which neither one of them need much introductions, but uh JC is our new president, our exalted ruler that starts this year and goes through March of next year.

So we're looking for another great year.

This will be our hundred and eight eighteenth year as an elk, uh elks organization.

And I did give you guys each a flyer, but um it needs to be updated.

We're more than the two million three hundred and thirty-nine thousand six hundred and seventy-five dollars.

We're close to the two point five million.

Um that's a few years old.

So um last year uh JC is our grant writer, so we had over twelve thousand dollars of our uh endowment funds from our grand lodge in Chicago that we were able to get back for every dollar that our members donate, we get about eight back.

So uh we put that back into the community and youth organizations and youth programs throughout all of Buffalo County.

Um we are I know the proclamation is for May 1st through the 7th, but we couldn't wait.

We're gonna be doing some stuff April 27th.

Yeah.

Yeah, with the Elks, it's you know, patriotic programs either out at the veterans home or uh community activities.

All the fifth graders in Kearney Public Schools will be coming out for snag events, which is uh the 27th and 28th of this month.

So you'll see a lot of activities out there.

We have foot golf, we have regular golf, it's you know, part three course, so great for kids to start working on that and then move on to Metal Arc and the other bigger golf courses and so they get that background first.

But we appreciate all the stuff that the city of Kearney and all Buffalo County does to promote youth activities.

We do have a summer uh golf league.

We'll have about 70 youth that averages pretty close to 70.

It's a free golf program.

The youth come out and learn basic skills and golf etiquette.

So um very important program, and we appreciate uh all the volunteers that work that we have about 330 members.

Our goal is to increase that by 10 percent the in the coming years.

So um, I did give you guys the flyer, one of the things that we did about oh, five, six years ago, and you'll notice Frank Denine's pictures in that and uh I've been asked to update it, and I just I can't take his picture out because of all the stuff that he helped us with over the years.

He was a 62-year elk member, and so um again, thank you for all the stuff that you guys do to help support youth in Carney and in Buffalo County.

So thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Yeah, thanks, and thank you.

Looking down and big vote.