Good evening.

The meeting of the Myanmar City Commission is now called to order.

An opportunity was given to the public to register to participate or email the city clerk twenty-four hours prior to the commission meeting with any questions, comments, concerns, and items we will hear on this evening's agenda.

Any person may be heard by the city commission through the chair and upon registering pursuant to the published notice for not more than three minutes on any proposition before the city commission unless modified by the chair.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel Seventy Eight and ATT Uverse Channel 99 for City of Myanmar subscribers.

As of April twelfth, two thousand twenty-three.

Thank you.

On to presentations, we have several proclamations and a couple of presentations to present.

And at this time, I invite Mrs.

Naima Ghani and the family of the late Gasim Bakai and all the members of the Muslim communities of South Florida to join me on the stage for recognition for this proclamation.

If my colleagues would join me as well as we acknowledge American Muslim Heritage Month in the city of Myanmar with our Muslim community.

Proclamation, American Muslim Heritage Month, April twenty twenty-three.

Whereas Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar and marks the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

And whereas Ramadan lasts twenty-nine to thirty days based on the timing of the astronomical new moon.

And whereas Muslims around the world observe the month by fasting each day from dawn to sunset.

And whereas the daily breaking of fast called Iftar is often celebrated by family and community gatherings and is followed by the Tarawi evening prayer.

And whereas Ramadan is regarded as a time for spiritual reflection, increased awareness, and giving to the global poor, sick and hungry, and a bridging of differences between people over a shared commitment to faith.

And whereas Muslims across the Broward County and the city of Myanmar and around the world marked the beginning of Ramadan this year amidst the global pandemic and were forced to find new ways to connect and observe together over video calls and virtual group gatherings.

And whereas it may have been challenging to experience Ramadan without all of the customary gatherings and formalities, the holy month was still full of reflection, compassion, and unity nonetheless, and the acts of kindness and selflessness shown by the Muslim community continue to bring hope to us all.

And whereas the end of Ramadan is traditionally commemorated by the Eid Al-Fiterfestival of Breaking the Fast, a joyous occasion marked by sharing sweets, gifts, and good tidings with family, friends, and neighbors.

And whereas, despite a new normal, Broward County and Myanmar joins with Muslims around the world celebrating the close of close the close of Ramadan and a blessed Eid Al-Fatir this year.

Now therefore, I Wayne Mesa, mayor of the City of Myanmar, and on behalf of the City Commission, do hereby proclaim April twenty twenty three as American Muslim Heritage Month and April twenty first, twenty twenty three, Muslim day in the city of Myanmar, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens and residents.

Thank you all so much for coming this evening, and may the Ramadan season be of blessings and strength and unity for your community.

Wait before everyone, we have some before you leave.

Good evening.

On behalf of the Muslim community of South Florida and the City of Myanmar, I would like to accept this proclamation on also on behalf of behalf of my late husband who spearheaded the initiative to have the holy month of Ramadan be recognized by the City of Myanmar with in coordination with our dear friend Sister Naeema.

So I accept this proclamation on his behalf and on behalf of our community.

Thank you very much.

Kevin's brother couldn't make it today, so he asked me to say a few words about one of Kevin's greatest initiatives, which was the founding of the Sunshine 411 Foundation.

Kevin was a dreamer, always had big plans in business and in his personal life, and at all times everything he did was always for his family and the community.

And one dream that we are going to move forward on in Kevin's name is to create a community center, which will be interfaith and multicultural, which will give children in the community the opportunity for athletics, arts, and education.

And we're so thrilled and honored to be able to move forward in this initiative and to be able to work with municipalities and have this dream of Kevin's completed in the next few years.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, our next proclamation, I invite HR analyst and supermom Joanne Reese to the daisy.

How are you?

Good evening.

And this proclamation is in observance of autism awareness and acceptance month, April 2023.

Whereas autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD, represents a broad group of disorders that vary widely from mild to severe, impacting the social, communication, and behavioral skills of those touched by it.

And whereas in 2021, the CDC reported that approximately one in 44 children in the U.S.

is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to 2018 data.

Regardless of race, religion, social economic status, or geography, each person is impacted differently, resulting in unique strengths and challenges in families and communities.

And whereas, while there is no cure for autism, it is well documented that if individuals with autism receive early and intensive treatment, they lead significantly improved lives.

And whereas individuals with autism often require a lifetime of specialized and community support services to ensure their health and safety and to support families' resilience as they manage the psychological and financial burden autism can present.

And whereas the first National Autism Awareness Month was declared by the Autism Society in April 1970 to provide an opportunity to educate our communities about autism and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.

And whereas in March 2021, the Autism Society of America, along with leading disability organizations across the country, shifted their language to match the growing need for acceptance within the community to foster acceptance to ignite change through improved support and opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care, and comprehensive long-term services.

And whereas the City of Myanmar seeks to help spread awareness and acceptance in our community and encourage further education on this disorder.

Now, therefore, I wane Mesa, Mayor of the City of Mirabar, Myanmar, do hereby proclaim April 2023 in the City of Myanmar to be autism, awareness, and acceptance month.

Thank you so much.

Whereas Florida's natural beauty, crystal blue waters, and white sandy beaches attract residents and visitors from around the world, and whereas clean and sustainable water resources are vital to Florida's environment, economy, quality of life, and is a basic and essential need of every living creature.

More than 90% of Florida's drinking water is supplied by underlying aquifers.

And whereas every business, industry, school, and citizen, can help by saving water and thus promote a healthy economy and community.

And whereas the South Florida Water Management District is implementing a comprehensive water conservation program to instill a lasting culture of conservation in our communities.

And whereas the City of Miramar has partnered with Broward County's water conservation incentive program to encourage residents and businesses to adopt an enduring water conservation ethic that supports long-term water resource sustainability.

And whereas the City of Myanmar with grant assistance from the state of Florida is investing millions of dollars to develop alternative water supplies, upgrading drinking water facilities, reclaimed water, reclaimed wastewater for beneficial use, and reduce waste disposal.

And whereas the City of Myanmar is the pioneer of the South Florida region on water conservation by reusing up to four million gallons per day of reclaimed water as an alternative water supply for our irrigation, the City of Myanmar has also developed the brackish water from the Florida and Aquifer as an additional alternative water supply to meet future consumptive demands.

And whereas the South Florida Water Management District and the State of Florida have designated April, typically a dry month, we can't tell that today, when water demands are most acute.

Florida's Water Conservation Month to educate citizens about the importance of water conservation and how they can help to save Florida's precious water resources.

Now, therefore, I Wayne Mesa, mayor of the City of Myanmar, on behalf of the City Commission, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2023 as Water Conservation Month.

And thanks to our utilities department for all that you do in our award-winning facility.

Don't trust the flooded streets and water out there.