Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I want to welcome you to this evening's meeting of the Woodstock City Council.

A few brief announcements before we get started.

First is that the agenda will be shown on the uh screens behind or in behind us in front of you.

There are two opportunities for public comment this evening.

The first being at the start of the meeting, members of the public may come forward to the podium in the center of the room if they choose to state their name and address for purpose of the record and then make uh comments on any items not on this evening's agenda.

Uh second opportunity for public comment will be uh after we or for when any items are before us for discussion or action, there will be an opportunity for public comment on those items.

Any questions on those announcements before we begin this evening?

Hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this October 4th uh 2022 meeting of the Woodstock City Council, and I'll ask the clerk to please call the roll.

Councilman Flynn, Councilwoman Lomeyer here, Councilman Nearman.

Here.

Councilwoman Pearsall.

Here.

Councilman Seegers.

Councilman Teball.

Here.

Mayor Turner.

Here.

Cindy, I'll ask you to please confirm that the agenda this evening is the true and published agenda.

It is.

Very well.

TJ, operating with five council members, we have a quorum.

We haven't been able to operate.

We do, Mayor.

Thank you, sir.

I'll make a quick note to council that uh items for action this evening uh still require not a majority vote of the five, but require a majority of the body, which is a total of four.

Um Cindy, thank you for confirming the agenda is the true and published agenda.

That being the case, ladies and gentlemen, the people's business is duly inappropriately before us.

Uh first item that we have uh this evening is floor discussion, and I'm pleased to have two proclamations that we are going to make this evening.

Uh the first being uh recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

And I'd like to uh have uh Olga Ortiz and Teresa Flores, if you all would like to join me at the podium, that would be great.

Don't look, don't move so quickly to get up there.

We're just shocked.

Shocked to get called up over here.

Oh, right here would be great.

So thank you, sir.

So it's my great honor tonight to um to um offer a proclamation uh honoring uh Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Woodstock from September 15th to October 15th, Council without objection.

Yeah, very well.

So, whereas Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and whereas the observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th each year.

It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, and approved uh and on the approval of public law 100-402.

And whereas nearly 480 years ago, the recorded Hispanic Heritage uh the recorded Hispanic Heritage has been part of the DNA of American culture with undeniable influence in education, public safety, infrastructure, economic development, culinary arts, and government governance.

And whereas during Hispanic Heritage Month, we take the opportunity to honor all Americans of Hispanic descent and to acknowledge their past and ongoing contributions to the success and growth of our nation.

Hispanic Americans are the largest minority group in the United States today, and generations of Hispanic Americans have consistently helped make our country strong and prosperous.

And whereas Hispanic Heritage Month encourages us to reflect on the legacy of Hispanic people who have influenced our nation's history and serve today as leaders in all aspects of our national life from the Supreme Court and halls of Congress to boardrooms and main streets across the United States.

And whereas our Hispanic Connections Group through the Woodstock area of Chamber and Commerce of Commerce and Industry celebrates Mexican Independence Day each September on the Woodstock Square, bringing thousands of residents and visitors of all races and ethnicities to Woodstock to celebrate with traditional music, food, dance, and a parade.

And whereas during Hispanic Heritage Month, the City of Woodstock, Illinois, recognizes our sister cities, symbols of our commitment to this to celebrating the diversity of Woodstock.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the City of Woodstock that we recognize September 15th through October 15th, 2022 as National Hispanic Heritage Month, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, the fourth day of October 2022.

I would like to uh to provide this proclamation to you both and thank you for all of your efforts in helping uh make Woodstock uh a tremendous place that recognizes the contributions of Hispanic culture.

So thank you very much.

Yeah, I know.

Do you want to make comment?

Quick comments?

Just a quick one.

Okay.

Uh we appreciate uh the city supports uh that they've been they've they've given us for many many years, and um as uh Hispanic Connections, Teresa and I, we thank everybody uh for allowing us to show you guys um our culture and um invite you guys each September at the square, of course, uh, to celebrate with us and appreciate the support that you give us and make us feel welcome and um and uh we're uh honored to represent the city.

Thank you.

Uh Jackie, you want to join me up here and Kate Holm as well.

So we're also very pleased tonight to to uh recognize uh Manufacturing Month at Woodstock uh for October 2022.

Uh whereas National Manufacturing Day, an annual event that occurs on the first Friday of every October, is an occasion during which manufacturers open their doors, showcase their potential, showcase their potential of modern manufacturing, and foster interest in manufacturing careers.

And whereas manufacturing companies seek to fill four million high-skilled, high-tech, high and high-paying jobs over the next decade, empowering manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they help their communities and future generations thrive.