Well, 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 this evening.

The first is that the agenda this evening will be displayed on the monitors in the room.

The City of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent format.

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

If a member of council wishes to remove an item from the consent calendar for separate consideration and voting, they may they may do so, and that item will be considered and voted upon separately.

Members of the public may request an item off the consent calendar to be considered as well, separately and voted upon separately.

They can make that request, and if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item also will be separately considered and voted upon.

There are two opportunities for public comment this evening, the first being at the start of the meeting under floor discussion public comment.

Members of the public may at that time come to the podium in the center of the room if they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make comments to the Woodstock City Council on any items that are not on this evening's agenda.

Second opportunity for uh public comment will be uh when we take uh items for action, there will be an opportunity for members of public to provide input to the Woodstock City Council prior to those action items being voted upon.

Any questions uh from members of the public on those announcements?

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this April 1st 2025 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask the clerk to please call the roll.

Councilman Flynn.

Here.

Councilwoman McMahon.

Here.

Councilman Newman.

Here.

Councilman Seegers.

Here.

Councilman Thibault.

Here.

Councilwoman Zamba?

Here.

Mayor Turner.

Here.

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

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

Yes, it is.

Thank you, Jane.

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

First item on our agenda this evening is floor discussion.

And under floor discussion, we have two proclamations this evening.

The first being uh diversity month uh April 2025, and the second being National Library Week.

Uh Council without objection.

No.

Very well.

At this time, uh I'd like to uh ask Jose Rivera from our Social and Cultural Awareness Commission to join me at the podium on the side for the proclamation.

Thank you, Jose.

Appreciate you appreciate your service to that commission and appreciate you being here this uh this evening.

So, City of Woodstock has had a long, very long um tradition of representing uh the diversity of our uh community, of our county, of our state, and quite frankly, of our nation.

And it is something that I have always taken great pride in, both as a resident, as a council member, uh, and especially as mayor to highlight uh and recognize and celebrate that diversity.

I think that it uh enriches us as a community and adds to our success.

So I appreciate the uh the work of uh Jose of you and the commission, and it's my pleasure to make this uh proclamation.

Proclamation honoring diversity month, April 2025.

Whereas the month of April is diversity month, a time to recognize and celebrate the beauty of our unique cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and traditions.

And whereas the City of Woodstock is a city that welcomes and celebrates people of all races, ethnicities, regions, jet religions, genders, sexual orientation, ages, physical and mental circumstances, and economic status.

The City of Woodstock strives to cultivate our diversity and believes it enhances the quality of life in our community.

Whereas the City of Woodstock formed the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission to promote mutual understanding and respect and further the goals of eliminating prejudice and discrimination, enhancing awareness of the benefits of a culturally diverse community, and awareness of current social issues within this vital growing community.

And whereas the City of Woodstack aspires to be an organization within which employees use their unique experiences and backgrounds, where ideas are heard and where we support a culture of inclusion to meet the needs of our employees in our community.

Our vision is for individuals to feel a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and value.

And whereas the residents of Woodstock are urged to expand community outreach, engagement, and authentic collaboration that will empower each resident with the ability and desire to create a society of acceptance and kindness, recognizing individual rights, and condemn racism, misogyny, prejudice, discrimination, or oppression towards any person.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the City Council of the City of Woodstock, on behalf of all citizens of Woodstock, do hereby proclaim April as diversity month for the City of Woodstock and commit to support, participate, and help expand inclusion, conversations, and support of a community that is free of oppression, persecution, and hate.

Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County this first day of April 2025.

Jose, thank you again for the work that you do.

I'd like to say thank you to the City Council and thank you to uh uh you know everybody that is here and uh you know very happy to be a member for 14 years here as a commissioner, so I will continue doing my job and uh and thank you.

Thank you.

Council, why don't you join us up front?