But first we have two special items of business.

First, a proclamation for historic preservation month, and then a proclamation, the Make It Okay Month proclamation.

And first, I'd like to call up our representatives from the Historic Preservation Commission chaired by Chris Ertall.

Chris, thank you for all your great work with the Historic Preservation Commission.

This is a proclamation that I'll uh be presenting to you, and I'd like to read it at this time.

Preserving and building, building and preserving.

Even as we must acknowledge the loss that resulted from the tragic fire at the Kirk Building, tonight is a time to recognize and celebrate Mason City's landmark accomplishments in historic preservation.

There's a reason Condoness Traveler has named Mason City among the world's best cities for architecture lovers, putting us right up there with Miami, Paris, and Athens.

Preserving and building, building and preserving the work of the Historic Preservation Commission, it includes the last remaining flank Lloyd Wright designed uh hotel in the world, the first right designed prairie style house in Iowa, the largest collection of prairie school architecture in a natural world setting, and that's just to name a few of the historic preservation accomplishments in Mason City.

In recognition of Mason City's leadership in historic preservation, the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office last year held a statewide preserve Iowa summit here in Mason City that was attended by some 200 people.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the members of the Mason City Historic Preservation Commission for spear uh spearheading this important work.

Thank you, Chair Chris Ertal, along with Vice Chair Laura Little, Commissioner Joy Skey, Terry Harrison, Derek Arnold, Eric Ganyangay, and Craig Benaboos.

Thank you for your extraordinary work.

Thanks also to uh Trisha and Stephen and our staff and all those that assist the Commission and all of the other many, many other partners in historic uh preservation uh in Mason City.

Can we show our appreciation?

I'd like to ask our representatives uh to please step forward at this time.

Uh Carrie and representatives from the community health center in Mason City, you're welcome to step forward.

Thank you for your good work in the area of uh mental health.

Uh certainly an important topic, and I'll outline some of the ways it's important in this proclamation.

Whereas there's a proven connection between good mental health and overall personal health, and whereas there is also a proven connection between outdoor recreation opportunities, such as the new Mason City High Line Trail and the 600 acres of parkland in Mason City and the connection with good mental health, and whereas there's also a demonstrated connection between good mental health and community flourishing, including such indicators as a reduction in crime, and whereas even such as the North Iowa Civics be held last Tuesday at John Adams Middle School in Mason City, sponsored by the uh Chamber of Commerce, uh hosted by uh Councilman John Lee.

And whereas there's also a demonstrated connection between good mental health and community flourishing, including such indicators as a reduction in crime, and whereas even such as the North Iowa Civics be held last Tuesday at John Adams Middle School in Mason City, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, hosted by Councilman John Lee.

Those things contribute to mental health and overall community health by building understanding of each other and understanding and trust of each other and in our local institutions.

And whereas, while there are good mental health services to take advantage of in Mason City, sometimes simply talking with a trusted friend can also be very good medicine.

Now, therefore, I bill Schickle, Mayor of Mason City, on this second day of May in 2023.

Do hereby proclaim May as Make It Okay month in Mason City and invite all citizens to talk with each other and learn more about improving our mental health by joining in the Make It OK celebration and walk at the principal pavilion on the Plaza in downtown Mason City.

That'll be noon on Thursday, May 18th.

Let's show our appreciation for the good work being done in the area of mental health.

And the next item of business is the public forum.

If you have a public comment at this time, you're welcome to uh step up to the podium.

State the number of the item on the agenda, and the floor is yours.

Do we have any public comment at this time?

Noah Harris from the Mason City Chamber.

Good evening.

Welcome.

Good evening.

Good evening, everybody.

So this will be for the North Iowa Band Festival on the agenda.

Um I'm gonna do my best to keep this shorter than it was last year, if you remember, I was kind of long-winded.

So the community is gearing up for the 84th North Iowa Band Festival, which begins Thursday, May 25th and runs through Monday, May 29th.

A special thank you to the City of Mason City for your support of the festival.

The festival cannot be possible without the crucial assistance of the Parks Department, the Street Department, the Fire Department, the Police Department, the Engineering Department, and the City Council.

So I'm just going to run through a few uh brief reminders for um everybody and the patrons of the festival.

Um dogs and other animals are not allowed along the parade route on Saturday morning or in Central Park unless they're in the parade.

Um, from Friday morning through Monday evening, volunteers and PD will do their best to make sure that animals are not in the area.

For trash, festival goers are encouraged to use the trash receptacles that will be located along the parade route and in downtown in Central Park.

The Parks Department has worked very hard to have Central Park looking its best for our guests, and the Lincoln Builders Club from Kowanis will clean yards along the parade route following the parade, and the Marine Corps League will assist with picking up trash in the park.

Porta potties will be located along the parade route at the start of the Stu Neverman Memorial Run and in Central Park and in downtown for the comfort of festival patrons.

Several of the parade entries will distribute candy or other items to spectators.

As in the past, entries are instructed not to hand out any items, including candy, after the ban judging zone until after the ban judging zone near a KIMT.

For severe weather, Saturday's more Saturday morning's parade will be rain delayed in half-hour increments and is subject to cancellation at 1130 a.m.

In the event of heavy rain or lightning, the entertainment downtown will be canceled, but decisions will be made prior to each entertainment segment if the weather clears.

The stew will begin as scheduled in the event of rain, but will be delayed in 30-minute increments for lightning.

If the run can't begin by 845, it will be canceled.

For severe weather, the Banfest Committee will defer to the to the Mason City Police Department in the event of severe weather.

Law enforcement will direct the public to seek shelter in the event tornado warning sirens sound.

Patrons attending the entertainment events in Central Park and downtown should refrain from smoking.

And for entertainment, the complete entertainment lineup can be found in the brochure that I passed out to each of you, including the Times for Main Stage Acts, Principal Pavilion Acts, Carnival Marketplace, and more.

Thank you for your continuous support of the North Iowa Band Festival.

Noah, thank you for that report, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the parade will be head headed up by Clempnow Award winner, our very own operations and maintenance manager, Bill Stangler, right over here.

Can we show our appreciation to Bill and congratulations?