For the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

To the Republic, which stands one nation under God and individual.

Thank you.

Laura, if you please call roll.

Councilmember Eckwind, present.

Councilmember Jacobs.

Present.

Mayor Protem Farak present and Mayor O'Connor.

Present, thank you.

Uh the council did meet in closed session before this evening's meeting.

I'll turn to City Attorney Bell for any report ash.

Thank you, Mayor and Council members.

There's no reportable action.

Thank you.

We have two proclamations to present this evening, so I'd like to invite council to join me at the front of the room, please.

All right.

Well, I am gonna invite Dean Hoglan, president of the board for the Museum of American Indian to accept the proclamation for Native Indian Heritage Month.

Thank you so much for being here.

So whereas the City of Novato recognizes the Coast Miwok people are the original inhabitants and stewards of the lands that now compromise the Novato area, having resided here since time and moral and whereas the coastal Miwok people establish thriving communities throughout Marin County, including the significant village of Alumpali and Chiaki, near present-day Novato, and develop sophisticated resource management systems over thousands of years.

And whereas Native American traditions and knowledge have enriched our understanding of sustainable living, natural resource management, and the interconnectedness of all living things, and whereas the city of Navado recognizes the importance of preserving indigenous heritage and supporting an educational opportunity that promotes understanding of Native American history and culture.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of its cities do hear proclaim the month of November 2025 as National Native American Heritage Month in the City of Novato and encourages all residents to learn about and honor the rich heritage of the Coast Miwok people and all individual people visit the museum of the American Indian at Miwok Park and work towards building a more inclusive community that respects and uplifts indigenous voices and experience.

And this is just so exciting.

Absolutely.

First of all, um, on behalf of the museum, and again, and for our tribe, uh, I would like to say comolis and our Miwok language.

That is thank you again to Mayor O'Connor and the esteemed uh other council members and leadership of the city of Nevada.

Wow.

Uh, and you know, I'm just thinking I've trying not to get emotional because I know I'm here because of my grandmother and her grandmother before her, and uh, you know, they would be so proud, you know, and and so that that just really uh makes my makes my day and the rest of the month, too.

That way as we honor, you know, as you take the time to honor, you know, Native American Heritage Month.

And again, it's it's it's kind of a um, I guess a part of the ongoing, I guess, growing um effort, you know, to you know, be included in and to know that we've always been a part of this community, and that we want to continue to, you know, be, you know, grow with our community and to share, again, indigenous knowledge and you know, in a good way, in the best way, and so uh, and to uplift every one of our citizens here in the city of Nevado and beyond.

So, thank you all.

Come on, and there's river otters at the park now, by the way.

I was down there a week or so ago.

If you want to see river otters, go to Mewok Park.

Yeah.

Okay.

Uh next up, we're going to recognize National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month proclamation.

I'd like to invite Lauren Vreeland Lang up to accept the proclamation.

Welcome, Lauren.

Thank you.

Sure, now the merrier.

Come on up, guys.

Yeah.

100%.

Please.

This is great.

Um, before I get into the formal proclamation, I think the representation of just age groups here is such a wonderful reflection of what being a caregiver gives.

I mean, it truly means.

I mean, at all points in life we care for different people in our family primarily and others, and it impacts all age groups.

So thank you guys for being here.

It really means a lot.

I it's touched all of us in our different lives at some point or other, we've cared for a significant other.

And just that the recognition and what we're recognizing today is true, it's truly God's work.

Um whereas over seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, including nearly 720,000 in California, and this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050.

And whereas there are nearly 12 million unpaid dementia caregivers in the U.S.

providing an estimated 19 billion hours of care for people living with Alzheimer's or other dementia.

And whereas half of all caregivers who provide help to older adults do so for someone living with Alzheimer's or another dementia, and whereas Alzheimer's takes a devastating toll on caregivers, twice as many caregivers for those with dementia indicates substantial emotional, financial, and physical difficulties compared with the caregiver caregivers of other people without dementia.

And whereas it can be overwhelming to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer's or other dementia.

Fifty-nine percent of dementia caregivers say that they experience high levels of emotional stress.

Unpaid family caregivers typically don't identify themselves as much, so it can be difficult for local service providers to find them and offer support.