I'd like to welcome everyone to our council meeting of May twenty second.

I'd like to call our meeting to order.

We are holding our meetings in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation.

Items will be taken in the order, they are listed on the agenda.

With our hybrid meeting format, the public comment procedures are as follows.

Speaker cards are located at the back table in the council chambers and must be turned into the city clerk at the dais.

Please be sure to indicate the agenda item number you wish to speak on.

Item number five, presentations and acknowledgments.

I want to remind everybody that public comment on any of these recognitions are welcome to our regular public comment period, which is item number six on tonight's agenda.

So if you're here to speak on other items other than our celebratory part, you'll have a chance as we get to item six.

Tonight we have four sub celebrations.

The first one is a proclamation recognizing Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

In May, we celebrate the diversity of cultures, breadth of achievement, and remarkable contributions of communities, of brave immigrants who, motivated by the promise of possibilities, picked up their lives and found new homes here of Native peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial, and of community leaders shaping a brighter future for us all.

On behalf of the City Council, I present the following proclamation.

Whereas, as one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse groups in the United States, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community reminds us that though we have all distinct backgrounds and origins, we're bound in common purpose by our shared hopes and dreams for ourselves and our children.

And whereas we recognize the Asian American and Pacific Islander community who have enriched Redwood City's history and cultural vibrancy.

Now therefore be it resolved that I, as Mayor of Redwood City, on behalf of our City Council and the people of Redwood City, do hereby proclaim May 2023 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Redwood City and encourage all people to observe this month in honor of the history and contributions made by the AAPI community.

It is now my pleasure and honor to introduce and welcome Ms.

Chinatown, USA, and Redwood City resident Ashton Sui to the podium to accept this proclamation and share with any of us any remarks.

Ashlyn, can you join me at the podium, please?

Okay, thank you.

It's an honor to be able to uh to be recognized by the Redwood City Mayor and the Council, especially um on AAPI month.

It just means a lot to be able to advocate for Asian Americans and the Asian community in general and to promote togetherness and unity.

And um I'm just really honored to be able to be here.

And um thank you so much for um the recognition.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Ashlyn, for joining us and mom manager.

Our next proclamation this evening is recognizing Pride Month, a month where we honor our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus community.

In celebrating Pride Month, we bring awareness to the LGBTQ plus liberation movement and support the rights of all citizens to experience equality and freedom from discrimination.

As the city often partners with San Mattel County on LGBTQ plus initiatives, it is my pleasure to present the following proclamation to a longtime member of the county's LGBTQ plus commission, Pride Initiative co-chair, and a board member of Coast Pride Center for the County of San Mateo, Dana Johnson.

Let me read a couple of whereas.

Whereas all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, LGBTQ plus individuals have had immeasurable impact to the cultural, civic, and economic successes of our country.

And whereas the City of Redwood City is committed to supporting visibility, dignity, and equality for LGBTQ plus people in our diverse community.

Now, there before it resolved that the City of Rebeau City hereby complain hereby proclaims the month of June 22nd as Pride Month in support of the LGBTQ plus community.

Be it further resolved that the pride flag, widely recognized as symbol of pride, inclusion, and support for social movements that advocate for LBGTQ plus people and society, will be raised at Courthouse Square beginning Thursday, June 1st, for the entire month of June, recognizing all LGBTQ plus residents whose influential and lasting contributions to our neighborhoods make Redwood City a vibrant community in which to live, work, and visit.

And I believe that June 1st is at no May 31st is when we raise the flag at 5 30.

Did I get that right?

So if you want to come out and see the flag raising, May 31st, 5 30 Courthouse Square.

I'd like to now welcome Dana Johnson to make his remarks.

And I think Dana, you're joining us virtually.

Hello there.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Wonderful.

Thank you.

My name is Dana Johnson.

My pronouns are very than theirs.

I am a proud and out transgender non-binary individual.

As shared, I serve as an LGBTQ commissioner, a pride initiative co-chair, and a post pride board member for the County of San Mateo.

I would like to thank the Redwood City City Council for your due diligence and your support of the LGBTQIA plus community and providing this proclamation on May 31st raising the Professor Pride flag at Courthouse Square.

This is an honor to receive this proclamation, and I'm very thankful that you are in support of your LGBTQIA plus community within Redwood City.

And we just thank you for the continued connections that we have with you in community.

And if you just are eager and want to do a little bit of some movement earlier that morning at 10 a.m., we are having our first annual Cemateo County Pride Parade.

So we'll love to see if you're interested in contingents and come on on out and support and celebrate in pride with us.

Thank you and have a wonderful evening.

Dana, thank you.

And again, what was that time for the parade?

The parade is from 10 a.m.

to 11 a.m.