Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I'd like to welcome you to this evening's uh meeting of the Woodstock City Council.

A few brief announcements before we get started this evening.

The first is that uh copy of the agenda will be provided on the screen to uh everybody uh for everybody here to be able to see.

Uh the City of Woodstock operates on what's called a consent format.

Consent format means that all items will be for action this evening will be considered in a single motion and a single vote.

If a member of council wishes to have an item separately removed for consideration, they may request and have that item removed for separate consideration and voting.

If a member of the public would like to have an item separately considered this evening, they may request that item to be removed and if agreed to by a member of council, that item too will be removed for separate consideration and voting.

Uh there's two opportunities this evening for public comment.

First being at this at the start of the meeting uh during the public comment uh section.

Uh if you're if you'd like to make a comment to the Woodstock City Council on any item that's not on this evening's agenda, you may come forward to the podium in the middle of the in the middle aisle, state your name and address for purpose of the record if you're willing to do so, and feel free to make your comment to uh the city council.

Second opportunity for public comment will be uh at the uh prior to any vote on any items for action, and then also uh if there's any public comment for the discussion items that we have this evening.

Any questions on those announcements before we get started?

All right, I will go ahead and officially call to order the September 19th, 2023 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask the clerk, Cindy, on a monumentus night for her to please call the roll.

Councilman Flynn, Councilwoman McMahon, here.

Councilman Nearman?

Here.

Councilman Seegers.

Here.

Councilman Tebow.

Councilwoman Ziamba, here.

Mayor Turner.

Here.

The record reflect that five of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present this evening.

We have enough for a quorum.

Cindy, can you please confirm that the um that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda?

It is.

Thank you, Cindy.

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

Uh the first item on this evening's agenda, are we not projecting on the back wall?

Sorry.

That's all right.

Just just checking.

Uh first item on this evening's agenda is floor discussion.

And under floor discussion, uh, we have two um present uh presentations to make.

Uh the first this evening is to the is in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Um I am very pleased to uh make a proclamation uh to uh members of the Hispanic Connections uh organization uh without objection, council.

Okay, very well.

I would ask those member uh those members who are present this evening, I think Arturo Flores, Teresa Flores, Olga Ortiz, America Quintana, and uh Tania Garcia and Gabby Ordóñez to join me at the podium on the side, please.

Well, this is uh a purposeful and timely.

I don't want to block anybody, so you come on over here.

This is a purposeful and uh timely uh proclamation this evening.

Uh we just finished with the um uh the Mexican independent Independence Day celebration this past Sunday, which was a raging uh success uh despite some early weather challenges, uh but the the day went off uh terrific.

I know that you all put in a ton of time uh from a volunteer perspective, and so I want to thank you all for doing that.

I know there are many other volunteers as well, but you all showed the leadership in putting on that uh event.

So thank you.

Thank you again for for that.

So it's my pleasure to read this proclamation from the City of Woodstock.

Proclamation honoring Hispan Hispanic Heritage Month in Woodstock, September 15th through October 15th, 2023.

Whereas National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide from September 15th to October 15th, honoring and recognizing the historic the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

And whereas the observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending October 15th, it was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

It was enacted into law on August 17th, 1988.

And whereas nearly 480 years ago, 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 governance.

And whereas every year, Hispanic Heritage Month has a theme.

The 2023 theme is Latinos, driving prosperity, power, and progress in America.

These three themes, prosperity, power, and progress are interconnected.

Economic success leads to more power and influence, which in turn drives further progress for our community.

And whereas Hispanic Heritage Month encourages 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 national life, from the Supreme Court and Halls of Congress to boardrooms and main streets across all of the United States.

And whereas our Hispanic Connections group through the Woodstock Area Chamber 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 food, music, dance, and a parade.

Over a hundred horses, correct?