Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I'd like to welcome you to tonight's meeting of the Woodstock City Council.

A few brief announcements before we get started.

First, the agenda will be shown on the screens in the uh in the chamber.

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

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

If a member of the council wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, it will be removed and be separately discussed and voted upon.

If a member of the public wishes to have an item to be removed for separate consideration and voting, a member of the public may make that request.

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

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

Members of the public are uh invited will be invited to come forward to the podium in the middle of the room.

If you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make comments on any item not on this evening's agenda.

And then when we have items for action, uh members of the public will have the opportunity to provide uh input or discussion as well.

Any questions on those brief announcements?

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this uh September 16th meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask Jane to please call the roll.

Councilman Flynn.

Councilman Hansen.

Here.

Councilwoman McMahon, here.

Councilman Nearman.

Here.

Councilman Seegers.

Here.

Councilwoman Ziembah?

Here.

Mayor Turner.

Here.

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

Jane, would you please confirm 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 under uh our agenda this evening is floor discussion.

And the first item under floor discussion, uh, it is my pleasure to uh make a proclamation honoring Hispanic Heritage Month for September 15th through October 15th, and members of our uh Hispanic Connections uh organization are here, and I'd like to have them join me at the podium on the side here for the uh proclamation.

Council without objection, thank you.

Good evening.

So it's my distinct honor to do this uh proclamation once again.

Um the um the folks that are here from uh from uh Hispanic Connections deserve a tremendous amount of credit uh for the work that they do throughout the entire year and the host of volunteers that they have, the vendors, the performers, this festival in Woodstock uh has grown to be one of the biggest that we hold here in Woodstock.

It is a an excellent, excellent uh time on a Sunday afternoon.

We are blessed with fantastic weather as well.

And once again, uh all the things they do were a great opportunity for members uh of the community and and beyond to come and celebrate and recognize uh Mexican independence uh Mexican Independence Day.

Uh as I said that day, I had the opportunity to make some brief remarks that in uh in the midst of uh you know of some difficult times in the country, um the uh the role that uh that we play at the city in recognizing appropriately recognizing the contributions of the uh Hispanic community to the City of Woodstock, to the fabric of who we are, to our economy, to our workforce, um it it is a it is a very good thing that we do as a community as an and as a city, and uh it's my distinct honor to uh to provide this proclamation.

So, proclamation honoring Hispanic exp Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th through October 15th, 2025.

Whereas National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15th through October 15th, to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

And whereas the observance of Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B.

Johnson and was expanded in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period.

And whereas September 15th is a significant date as it marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with Mexico celebrating its independence on September 16th and Chile on September 18th.

And whereas our Hispanic Connections group through the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrates Mexican Independent and 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 the City of Woodstock is proud to join our nation in recognizing the countless contributions of Hispanic Americans who have helped shape our community and continue to be an integral part of Woodstock's cultural, civic, and economic life.

And whereas celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to honor the diverse traditions and rich cultural legacy of Hispanic Americans while also reaffirming our commitment to equity, inclusion, and respect for all who call Woodstock home.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the City of Woodstock, Illinois, that the city recognizes September 15th through October 15th, 2025 as Hispara Hispanic Heritage Month in Woodstock, and encourage all residents to join in celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in our community and our nation, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, the 16th day of September, 2025.

On behalf of the city, I want to thank each of you for uh all that you do in uh representing the Hispanic community and in putting on this fantastic festival and all the work you do throughout the year.

So thank you.

If you would say a few words, introduce your team, it'd be great, of course.

Good evening, everybody, good evening.

Um so on behalf of uh the Hispanic Connections team, I would like to express our our gratitude for all the support received uh to make uh Mexican independence celebration this past Sunday a huge success.

Thank you to the city council, uh Mayor Turner, city staff, public works, the police department, the opera house, and real Woodstock, and of course, the entire community.

Uh the event was a success because of everybody everyone's contributions.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We appreciate being part of this community and and are grateful to all of you for welcoming as welcoming us as your neighbors.