Good evening and welcome to the January 26th, 2026 Tualita City Council meeting.

I'll go ahead and call the meeting in order.

First item on our agenda, it's a pledge of allegiance.

Tonight, led by uh Councilor Gonzalez.

Thank you, Councilor Gonzalez.

We have one announcement.

It's a proclamation for Black History Month, and that'll be read by Councillor Brooks.

Thank you, Mayor.

Here's our the City of Tualeton's proclamation for Black History Month.

Whereas Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, black culture is American culture, and black stories are interwoven into the fabric of the nation through shared struggles, progress, and aspirations.

And whereas historian Carter G.

Woodson established Black History Week in 1926 to recognize the significant contributions of African Americans selecting the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

And in 1976, the observance was formally expanded by Congress to National Black History Month.

And whereas the theme for Black History Month 2026, a century of Black History Commemorations, marks the 100th anniversary of the first national observance of Black History Week and honors a century of organized efforts to study, preserve, and elevate African American history, culture, and achievements.

And whereas the 2026 theme encourages reflection on the evolution of Black history commemorations and their enduring rules, role in shaping public understanding of African American contributions across generations, institutions, and communities.

And whereas during Black History Month, all are encouraged to reflect on the rich history, enduring lessons, and significant contributions of African Americans, and to recognize the progress, resilience, creativity, and achievements that continue to strengthen society as a whole.

Now, therefore, be a proclaimed by the City Council of the City of Tualton, Oregon, that Tualton recognizes February 1st through February 28th, 2026 as Black History Month, and calls upon the people of Tualeton to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and reflections, and to continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, equitable, and prosperous for all.

Introduced and adopted this 26th day of January 2026.

Thank you.

Okay, that brings us to public comments.

This is an opportunity for anyone to address the council regarding an item that's not on tonight's agenda.

Please keep your comments to about three minutes.

If there's anyone here who would like to address the city council, this would be the appropriate time.

If you uh get the urge to speak after these folks get uh have their three minutes, you can certainly come on up and uh give us your public comment, and then I'll go switch over to Zoom if there's anybody in Zoom who'd like to give public comment.

So first person I have is uh Chris Paul.

Chris.

Hi there, Mayor City Council.

It's me again.

I know we've been talking to you a lot this couple last couple of weeks, but uh I think it's important to be engaged with the community.

So first off, I just want to clarify that all my statements tonight are on behalf of myself as a private concern citizen and not as in any part of my role as on the ADEA committee.

Um I just want to come and talk to you tonight.

Uh I had a whole thing written and this week was crazy, so I had to throw it out and um just gonna kind of speak from the heart tonight.

But first I want to thank you all for the support that you've shown for the Martin Luther King Day rally.

Um I also want to thank there's several people who showed up for that uh in this room, so thank you to them.

But I just want to kind of talk about one of what I view is Toolaton's greatest value, and that is that we love our neighbor.

As soon as I moved to Tuala 10, I was immediately greeted by all of my neighbors to say, Hi, do I need any help?

Do I need anything moving in?

So I knew this was a community that really valued loving your neighbor and coming and helping them out.

So I just want to remind us of a few things and ways we can do that.

First, emergency preparedness.

I think emergency preparedness is extremely essential, especially giving the many, many possibilities for natural disasters that we have around here, wildfires, flooding.

We have volcanoes around, so just be aware of that, guys.

So just uh make sure that you guys all have your emergency preparedness talked up, and you have enough to share because maybe your neighbor didn't get together go to the grocery store that week.

So just keep that in mind, guys.

Um and then just I just want to remind you that everybody's your neighbor.

You know?

Our neighbor, it doesn't matter where they're from or how they got here, they're still your neighbor.

Doesn't matter what clothes they wear or what pronouns they use, they're still your neighbor.

Um then I just want to say, you know, I've made it obnoxiously obvious that I'm a follower of Jesus.

And a while back there was a phrase going around, what would Jesus do?

And I use that to guide my life.

Um I think Jesus would have showed up uh to meetings regularly to discuss with his fellow community members how they can make their city a better place.

I think Jesus would have stood on a street corner and called for justice.

And I think Jesus would have come to places where decisions are being made and reminded people that the most important thing is to love your neighbor.

So with that being said, I think Jesus would have come to city council meetings.

Thank you.

Thanks, Chris.

All right.

I have what this is gonna be a tag team effort.

Uh Kelly and Ed, come on up, and they'll be allowed six minutes since they're doing it together.