And good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

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

A few brief announcements before we get started tonight.

First being uh that the agenda for this evening's meeting will be on uh displayed on the screens uh in the council chambers.

City of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent format, consent format meeting means that all items for action are considered under single motion and a single vote.

If a member of the public wishes to have an item removed or a member of council wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may uh request uh to have that item removed and it will be separately voted upon.

If a member of the public wishes to have an item separately voted upon and considered, uh they can make that request.

And if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be removed for separate consideration and voting.

On this evening's agenda, there is a separate item outside of the agenda uh consent uh calendar uh that will be separately considered, and that is um the MDC garbage contract.

So I just wanted to make that uh that notation on uh exception for this evening.

There's two opportunities for public comment tonight.

The first being at the start of the meeting during floor discussion.

During floor discussion, members of the public may come to the uh podium in the middle of the room.

If they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record.

Feel free to make comments uh to the Woodstock City Council on any item not on this evening's agenda.

Next opportunity for public comment is before we take action on any given item.

We will have an opportunity for members of the public to provide input uh as well.

Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started.

Hearing none, we'll go ahead.

I will go ahead and officially call to order this uh November 5th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask please ask Jane to call the roll.

Councilman Flynn.

Here.

Councilwoman McMahon here.

Councilman Nearman.

Here.

Councilman Seegers.

Here.

Councilman Tebow?

Here.

Councilwoman Zamba?

Here.

Mayor Turner.

Here.

All members of the Woodstock City Council are present in the chambers this evening.

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

Yes, it is.

All right, thank you, Jane.

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

First item that we have on tonight's agenda is a floor discussion, and it is a proclamation for Veterans Day and Operation uh Greenlight.

Council without objection.

Very well.

I'd like to ask um Keith Lines and Rick Prescott to join me at the podium on the side there for the uh proclamation reading.

So it's a great honor uh for the City of Woodstock uh and the city council to provide this proclamation honoring uh our veterans in the City of Woodstock.

Um this small uh proclamation uh doesn't uh nearly capture um the uh gratitude that we should all feel feel uh and the debt that we own to uh all members of the uh the service, both current and and past.

So it's my honor to make this proclamation honoring City of Woodstock veterans.

Whereas the City of Woodstock honors the generations of Americans who have earned the title of veteran, veterans swear an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against enemies foreign and domestic, and have repeatedly put themselves in harm's way to fulfill this oath.

We support and acknowledge the sacrifices veterans and their families have made in carrying out this oath.

And whereas countless Americans throughout history have given their lives in service, defending the Constitution and the founding principles of our country, and whereas many veterans have suffered trauma and loss as a result of fulfilling the oath they took on induction day, entering service through combat, relocating their family, and having a loss of community.

And whereas the security of the United States depends on the strength of our armed forces and the men and women who continue to step forward and volunteer to do their duty and put themselves in harm's way to defend our shores.

And whereas veterans need help assimilating back into civilian life through federal, state, and local resources, providing interventions specifically designed to address the impact of military service.

And whereas the National Association of Counties encourages all counties, parishes, and boroughs to recognize November 4th through 11th, 2024 as Operation Green Light for Veterans to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist them and their families.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed at the Woodstock City Council on behalf of all citizens of Woodstock, hereby recognize Veterans Day, November 11th, as a time to honor the service, courage, and sacrifice of every veteran, service member, and their families.

The City of Woodstock designates November 4th through 11th as Operation Greenlight, illuminating the old courthouse center in green to commemorate this this meaningful week.

On November 11th, the lights will change to red, white, and blue.

We encourage all residents to honor those in our community who contribute immeasurably to preserving our freedom and displaying a green light in the window of their business or home.

Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, this fifth day of November 2024.

On behalf of the Woodstock City Council, Rick and Keith, I want to thank you for your individual service and in accepting this proclamation on behalf of all veterans.

So thank you, sir.

Thank you so much.

I just say just keep it brief.