May 07, 2024 City Council

DECIDE DESIGN AND OTHER THINGS AND YOU GET DONE.

[00:00:03]

>> OKAY. THANK YOU, MEGAN, FOR YOUR STAFF AND THEIR WORK ON

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

>> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? >> HERE.

>> COUNCILMEMBER WITTEN? >> YOUR.

>> COUNCILMEMBER GRISWOLD? >> YOUR.

>> COUNCILMEMBER FITCH TAYLOR?

>> HERE. >> MAYOR ANDERS?

>> YOUR. WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN DEMING STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. PLEASE BE SEATED. IT IS THE

[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS]

>> I HAVE A MEMORANDUM HERE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR .

CANDACE BEGAN HER CAREER WITH THE CITY OF AUBURN'S JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT AS A PROBATION OFFICER AND MAGISTRATE IN 2016, AND HER WORK ETHIC AND PASSION TO ASSIST OTHERS WAS READILY APPARENT. CANDACE WAS IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON CITIZENS DEALING WITH THE MENISCAL COURTS, HELPING THEM WITH EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, IMPLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND COUNSELING FOR NUMEROUS ISSUES. RATHER THAN GO TO THE EMOTIONS, CANDACE DEVELOPED PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE GOING THROUGH THE COURT PROCESS TO UNDERSTAND THEM AND BETTER AID THEM IN IMPROVING THEIR LIVES GOING FORWARD. AFTER THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT TRANSITIONED OUT OF PROVIDING PROBATION SERVICES, CANDACE BECAME A FULL-TIME MAGISTRATE, BUT NEVER CEASED TO BUILD PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CITIZENS. CANDACE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN STREAMLINING OUR INTERNAL RECORDS REQUEST PROCESS , INCLUDING CREATING A FILING SYSTEM TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES FOR REPEATED CHECKS ON MILITARY PERSONNEL AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES. CANDACE HAS ALSO RECENTLY TAKEN AN ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING CROSSTRAINED TO PERFORM DAILY ACCOUNTING AND ADMINISTRATION OF FUNCTIONS IN AN EVENT THE COURT CLERK IS ABSENT. CANDACE CONSTANTLY STRIVES TO HELP OTHERS, BE IT A CITIZEN OR COWORKER, AND ALWAYS DOES IT WITH PROFESSIONAL BEARING AND A SMILE. FOR THESE REASONS AND MANY OTHERS, I NOMINATE CANDACE JACKSON AS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR THE CITY OF AUBURN.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> MAYOR, IF I MAY, WE HAVE AN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE. OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH IS HERE PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, SO THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO

RECOGNIZE HER. >> WHERE IS SHE? IS SHE HIDING

SOMEWHERE? >> SHE'S HIDING OVER THERE!

>> IN THE OLD SCHOOL DAYS, WE USED TO GIVE THEM A HAND! THANK YOU, CANDACE. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO. IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US TONIGHT. ALL RIGHT, DURING THE COMMITEE OF THE WHOLE, THE CITY COUNCIL JUST ADJOURNED A DISCUSSION ABOUT A POTENTIAL SIDEWALK ON UNIVERSITY DRIVE FROM OLD MILL TO MCKINLEY . AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, THE CITY COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO PUT THIS ON OUR COMMITEE OF THE WHOLE FOR OUR FIRST MEETING IN JUNE , AND WE WILL DISCUSS THIS FURTHER AT THAT TIME. WE APPRECIATE THE STAFF'S PRESENTATION OF TIME THAT THEY PUT INTO THIS. UNDER MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT, IT IS BEEN THREE WEEKS SINCE WE HAVE MET , AND YOU HAVE HEARD ME SPEAK ABOUT HOW BUSY IT IS IN THE SPRINGTIME IN AUBURN.

THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS , AND I JUST WANT TO QUICKLY GO THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT EVENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DOING GREAT WORK. THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT MY CALENDAR IS BUSY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU THAT WE HAVE A GREAT COMMUNITY THAT LOOKS TO SERVE ALL OF US, AND WANTS TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY NO MATTER THE CAUSE. RELAY FOR LIFE JUST HAD ITS RECENT WALK, AND AS THEY RECOGNIZE THEIR DRAMATIC LOSS OF LIFE THROUGH CANCER AND RAISING MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING WITH CANCER, THIS PAST SATURDAY , THE STORYBOOK FARMS POSTED THEIR DERBY PARTY. WHAT A FANTASTIC PARTY WITH

[00:05:01]

THE MIRACLE LEAGUE, SPEAKING A FAMILY WITH SPECIAL LEAGUE NEEDS, TO FINISH THEIR SEASON . THERE IS A NUMBER PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT GO OVER THERE AND ARE LOYAL TO THE ORGANIZATION THAT HAVE BEEN HELPING THOSE FAMILIES AND THOSE PEOPLE PLAY THE GAME OF BASEBALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE EITHER PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES, AND I APPLAUD THEM FOR THAT. RECENTLY ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON, I ATTENDED THE AUBURN STUDENT MEMORIAL SERVICE, WHERE THE UNIVERSITY AND THE STUDENTS RECOGNIZED THOSE STUDENTS THAT WERE LOST THIS PAST YEAR. IT WAS A POIGNANT MOMENT TO SEE THOSE FAMILIES BACK AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY AGAIN. ONE OF THE YOUNG MEN WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF A SOCIAL FRATERNITY HERE , AND THAT ENTIRE GROUP OF GUYS CAME TO THAT EVENT. IN FACT, THE PARENTS WERE GOING BACK OVER TO THE FRATERNITY HOUSE TO HAVE A MEAL TO TALK ABOUT THEIR SON AND JUST THE GREAT MEMORIES THEY HAD. BUT IT IS A PLOT AUBURN AND OUR STUDENTS REALLY HONORING THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US IN THE RIGHT WAY. THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB GALA WAS HEAD HELD RECENTLY .

WHAT AN AWESOME ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO STAY EVEN WITH ALL OF THE KIDS WHO DON'T MAYBE HAVE THE SAME RESOURCES OR THE PARENTS ARE WORKING.

GOING HOME EVERY AFTERNOON BY THEMSELVES IS MAYBE NOT A GREAT IDEA. WHAT A DEDICATED STAFF, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB HAVE , AS THEY DELVE INTO THE LIVES OF THESE CHILDREN TO TRY TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR HOMEWORK, HELP THEM WITH THEIR HEALTH HABITS, AND HELP THEM WITH UNDERSTANDING MANNERS , AND JUST KIND OF DEALING WITH LIFE. IT IS APPLAUD THEM FOR THE GREAT WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING. WOMEN'S HEALTH, AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS WITH UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES , HAD THEIR BIG WINTER RECENTLY. WHAT A SPECIAL NIGHT THAT WAS TO HEAR THE STORIES IN THE TESTIMONIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THEIR MINISTRY. AS IS THE EDGE, AND MINISTRY AFFECTS BUSINESSES HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY. COPS ON TOP WAS A COOL FUNDRAISER THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. MEMBERS OF OUR POLICE FORCE STAND ON THE ROOF AT KROGER AND RAISE MONEY SO THAT WE CAN SEND OUR SPECIAL NEEDS CITIZENS TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVENTS THIS SUMMER. IT IS APPRECIATE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR LOVING THAT EVENT . THEY ARE COMMITTED TO THAT EVENT. THEY ARE SMILING WHEN THEY ARE THERE . THEY ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE, THEY HOLD THAT BUCKET OUT THERE , AND ASK FOLKS TO THROW THEIR CHANGE IN THERE TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS . IF NOT THAT, THESE FAMILIES WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME SENDING THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS. AND IT IS APPLAUD THEM FOR THAT. WE RECENTLY HAD AN OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW BUILDINGS THAT ARE BEING BUILT THAT AFFECT SO MANY OF US IN THIS COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN. THEY ARE KIDS FROM ALL AGES AND GRADES GOING TO THE PRESERVE TO LEARN ABOUT NATURE AND UNDERSTAND HOW IT AFFECTS ALL OF OUR WALKS OF LIFE. WHAT AN ENTHUSIASTIC STAFF THEY HAVE OUT THERE. THE COUNTY IS DEVELOPING HAD THEIR CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS EVENT , AND LAURA AND HER GROUP OUT THERE JUST TO A FANTASTIC JOB DEALING WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO . THEY ARE BROUGHT THERE REALLY AT THE END OF THEIR LIEN , AND THE POOR INTO THEM, THEY LOVE THEM. FOR MANY OF THEM, THEY GO TO SCHOOL AND TRY TO GET BACK ON TRACK SO THEY CAN GRADUATE AND MOVE FORWARD IN LIFE . JUST A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO THAT ORGANIZATION. SO, ALL OF THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE NOT INVOLVING THE GOVERNMENT PER SE. THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS OF THOSE THAT YOU LIVE AROUND.

THOSE THAT YOU SEE EVERY DAY. PEOPLE MAKE SACRIFICES TO COME TO THESE EVENTS. EITHER THEIR TIME , OR THEIR TALENTS , AND WE APPRECIATE THAT . WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THEY PROVIDE ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS . I WANT TO TELL ALLISON THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE CITIZENS ACADEMY BY CITY HALL RECENTLY. IT WAS GREAT TO MEET WITH CLASS THREE, AND TALK TO THEM. THEY SEEM TO BE AN ENTHUSIASTIC GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THEM FINISHING OUT THEIR TIME WITH THE CITIZENS ACADEMY. I WANT TO TELL ONE OF OUR OTHER ALLISON'S , CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING YOUR FIRST CITY FEST. I KNOW YOUR STUFF OR PART AS WELL AS THE STAFF THE MANY OF OUR DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE AN UNBELIEVABLE SPRINGTIME EVENTS FOR MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ENJOY ON A BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY. A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS I WANT TO SAY IS

[00:10:02]

MS. CROUCH? >> YOUR ABILITY TO APPLY TO BE ON A COMMITTEE OPENS TOMORROW RIGHT AFTER THIS MEETING.

>> AND YOU HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH. THERE IS PROBABLY PEOPLE LISTENING IN THIS ROOM THAT TRY TO DO THE FIRST TWO TIMES, AND WE HAD TO STOP BECAUSE THE WORLD WAS DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC. BUT WE ARE NOT HAVING A PANDEMIC ON OUR RADAR RIGHT NOW. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PRACTICE IN AN EXERCISE THAT IS WORTH IT TO OUR COMMUNITY. OUR CITIZENS HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO SIT AT THE TABLE AND PLAN FOR AUBURN'S FUTURE. THAT IS WHAT 2040 IS ALL ABOUT. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, THERE'LL BE SEVEN TEAMS OF CITIZENS GETTING TOGETHER. IT WILL BE QUITE THE COMMITMENT. YOU'LL HAVE TO MAKE PROBABLY A TWICE A MONTH COMMITMENT, BUT IT WILL END , AND IT WILL PUT TOGETHER A REPORT ON THIS, AND GIVE OURSELVES SOME GOALS THAT OUR LEADERS TODAY AND FUTURE LEADERS CAN USE AS THEY MOVE AUBURN TOWARDS THE TIME OF 2040. OKAY. I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT. IT'S JUST BEEN A BUSY TIME OF YEAR. DOES ANYONE ELSE

HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT? >> WHEN DID YOU SAY THE SIGN-UP -- WHEN DOES THE SIGN-UP HAPPEN?

>> IT GOES UP ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE TOMORROW, OR ALABAMA.ORG/2040 . THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT . DID YOU

HAVE SOMETHING? >> DIRECTOR MATTHEWS, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOUR COLD CASE UNIT ON A JOB WELL DONE .

YOU MADE THE NEWS LAST WEEK , AND I THINK THAT SENDS A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE TO ANYONE THAT MIGHT THINK ABOUT DOING HARM TO A CHILD IN THE CITY OF AUBURN.

>> THANK YOU. EXCITED GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WILL NOT GIVE UP ON

BRINGING JUSTICE TO FAMILIES. >> WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE

THEM. >> THANK YOU.

>> MR. MAYOR? >> YES, PLEASE?

>> I AGREE YOUR COMMENTS, BUT WE HAD A VERY UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT ON THE BRIDGE YOU RECENTLY. IT'S BEEN A BIT OF AN INCONVENIENCE . I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND APPRECIATE OUR CITIZENS PATIENTS AS WE GET THAT REPAIRED. ALSO, I THINK THEY REALLY SPED UP THEIR PROCESS TO GET REPAIRS UNDERWAY SO WE COULD GET THAT BRIDGE BACK OPEN AND BE TRAVELING ON AND HOPEFULLY SOON . FOR WHAT I UNDERSTAND, WE ARE NOT ON SCHEDULE. THAT IS GOOD NEWS, AND IT I GIVE THANKS IS WE DEALT WITH AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> PLEASE. >> THE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL FFA CHAPTER HAS I THINK OFFICIALLY COMPLETED . I THINK IT'S OPENING VERY SOON IF NOT ALREADY THE C LIBRARY . THEY COLLECTED OVER 560 PACKETS OF SEEDS THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN GO USE AND TAKE FROM THE LIBRARY , AND HOPEFULLY GROW GARDENS AND VEGETABLES IN THEIR OWN HOMES , AND HOPEFULLY RETURN SOME SEEDS THROUGHOUT THE CYCLE. I AM VERY EXCITED THAT THAT IS NOW OFFICIAL. I DON'T KNOW IF THE START LIBRARY STAFF WAS TO

EXPAND ON THAT OR NOT? >> WELL, WE DO HAVE A FEW HERE SPECIFICALLY WHO HAVE DONE THE MOST WORK ON IT. JUST GET INTO A MICROPHONE IF YOU DON'T MIND? JUST SO THAT EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU. YOU CAN STEP BETWEEN THEM , OR RIGHT THERE IS GREAT.

>> HI, I AM CYNTHIA FROM THE LIBRARY. WE TOOK A PHOTO TODAY.

THE C LIBRARY IS UP AND INSTALLED , AND THEY HAVE JUST DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB. I'M CURATING THAT. THEY WILL BE DOING SEEDS DRIES AS THEY GO ALONG THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO KEEP REPLENISHING THAT . EXCUSE ME. AND THEY ARE JUST ASKING PEOPLE WHO COME AND PARTAKE WITH THE SEASON THE LIBRARY THAT ONCE THEY GROW THEIR GARDENS AND THEY HAVE THEIR MATURE FEAR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO BRING SEATS BACK TO THE LIBRARY SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THAT CYCLE.

>> THANK YOU. BE SAFE. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> YES, I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND DO AN EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT ON JUNETEENTH THIS YEAR. JUNETEENTH OF AUBURN WILL BE JUNE 14TH WITH A JUNETEENTH PARADE. IT WILL START AT 6:00, AND WE HAVE THE JUNETEENTH EVENT THAT WILL START AT 10:00

[00:15:02]

15TH FOR JUNETEENTH EVENTS. >> OKAY. ANYONE ELSE?

>> YES, MR. MAYOR? >> PLEASE.

>> SPEAKING OF GREAT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS DOING GOOD IN THIS TOWN AND OTHERS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. MYSELF AND COUNCILMEMBER GRISWOLD PARTICIPATED IN IT. THERE WERE 800 OR MORE RIDERS , AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO COMMEND DIRECTOR MATTHEWS AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY THAT WERE ON HAND TO DIRECT THE 800 CYCLISTS IN AND OUT OF AUBURN GIVEN THE FACT THAT THAT COINCIDED WITH THE BRIDGE AND CITY FEST . IT WAS AN OUTSTANDING TURNOUT OF YOUR OFFICERS , AND I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE EVER FELT SAFER NEGOTIATING ROADS AROUND THIS TOWN . IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE THEM OUT THERE. IT WAS AN EXCELLENT EVENT.

[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. WE WILL MOVE AHEAD.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS. WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU. YOU SEE HERE OVER THE BREAK, YEAH?

>> I AM. I'M FILLING IN FOR JACK TONIGHT.

>> OKAY. >> SO, WE JUST WRAPPED UP THE SPRING SEMESTER , AND THIS LAST WEEK, WE HAD FINALS, SO WE HOSTED AN EVENT CALLED "UP ALL NIGHT" WHERE WE ARE UP ALL NIGHT IN THE LIBRARY FOR FINALS WEEK. AT MIDNIGHT, WE HAD OUT DONUTS, ORANGE JUICE , JUST YOU HAVE A GOOD TIME AND BRIGHTEN SPIRITS STEERING THROUGH A TOUGH WEEK. AND THEN, WE RENTED OUT THE WEEK WITH SPRING COMMANDS AND CEREMONIES. WE HAD OVER 5000 GRADUATES , AND THAT WAS FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY. AND LOOKING AHEAD AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, WE WILL START OUR FRESHMAN ORIENTATION PROGRAM, WHICH IS CALLED CAMP EAGLE. WE'LL HAVE INCOMING FRESHMAN IN TOWN THE REST OF THE SUMMER. THAT IS ALL FROM US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE LOVE CAMP OR EAGLE. IT CERTAINLY BRINGS LIGHT TO OUR COMMUNITY DURING THE SUMMER. AT THIS TIME, CITIZENS CAN INDICATION THAT ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.

I WILL TELL YOU, WE HAVE AN UNUSUAL AGENDA FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR ONE ITEM IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA, NOW WOULD BE THE TIME FOR YOU TO COME FORWARD. YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK, AND WE WILL ASK THAT YOU COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM AND GIVE US YOUR

[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS.]

>> MAYOR, THERE IS AN ADDITION TO THE AGENDA. EVERYONE IN THE ROOM HAS IT. IT'S ON THE AGENDA THEY ARE DEFECTIVE, BUT IT IS A CONTRACT UNDER OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 33 SERVICING PROJECTS . AND THEN ALSO, DOES A FEW QUICK CORRECTIONS. THE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FOR THE NORTHSIDE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY ANNUAL REPORT IS DESCRIBED IN THE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY AS THE 2022 REPORT. THAT IS CERTAINLY A TABLE. IT IS THE 2023 REPORT. ALSO, ON PAGE 14 OF THE REPORT ITSELF, YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU ON THE DAIS A QUICK CHANGE OF, WE JUST DID IT IN RED, THE PAGES HAVE BEEN SWAPPED OFFICIALLY .

LETTER G WAS SUPPOSED TO READ ZERO INSTEAD OF NINE. SINCE YOU ARE ADOPTING IN ESSENCE'S REPORT TO ALLOW TO SEMITIC, WE

[8.d.1. ILJIN American Corporation. Concurrence for the sale of the industrial facility located at 979 W. Veterans Boulevard. ]

>> OKAY. MOVING ALONG WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> A FIRST MEMBER OF -- >> YES, MA'AM, EIGHT D ONE AND

TWO. >> ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE?

OKAY. BUT ITEM 8D ONE. >> OKAY. AMERICAN CORPORATION

-- SULFUR CORPORATION. >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. CHIEF? >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE KEEPING THESE BUILDINGS FORWARD. EXCHANGED HANDS TWICE NOW, BUT ALWAYS SEEMS TO COME THROUGH. I DON'T THINK WE GIVE ENOUGH CREDIT TO WHAT YOU PEOPLE DO HERE. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE BUSINESSES OCCUPIED , AND THEY DO A WONDERFUL JOB. SO, THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE? I CONCUR WITH STEVE. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF Y'ALL'S HARD WORK , AND NOT GIVING UP. SURE THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAS JOINED US HERE TONIGHT , AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AS WELL. WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR ,

[8.d.2. Gordon Butch Thompson & Robin Ashe Thompson. Accept public drainage and utility easement. Redivision of Lot 622, Grove Hill‐Ridgeview Subdivision. Property located at 1415 Barkley Circle. ]

PLEASE SAY AYE? STRATEGY >> AYE.

>> AYE. PLEASE CONTINUE. >> I MOVED TO PROVE.

[00:20:08]

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A

SECOND. CHIEF? >> SAME THING. JUST THE GOOD

WORK . >> OKAY. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR , PLEASE SAY AYE?

[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> THAT CARRIES. HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL IN

[10.a. Tax abatement. ILJIN America Corporation. 979 W. Veterans Boulevard. Auburn Technology Park North.]

FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE? >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> IN THE IT IS APPROVED. >> WE HAVE A TECH THE PAYMENT FOR AMERICAN CORPORATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN EXISTING ANY FACTORING FACILITY AND NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO BE IN EQUIPMENT TO BE LOCATED AT 979 WEST VETERANS BOULEVARD IN AUBURN TECHNOLOGY PARK NORTH THROUGH THE COMPANY ANTICIPATE HIRING 123 NEW EMPLOYEES , AND INVESTING A PROXIMALLY 70

THREE-POINT $2,000,000.00. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT. ANY

[11.a. Contract. D & J Enterprises, Inc. FY 24 Streets Resurfacing Project. $3,327,500.]

>> UNDER OTHER BUSINESS, ITEM 11 A HAS THE RESURFACING PROJECT CONTACT WITH THE NJ ENTERPRISE WITH THE AMOUNT OF

2,000,003 AND $27,500.00. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE A AYE?

>> AYE. >> AYE.

[12. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM.]

>> AYE. >> MAYOR, THE CITY ALL ITEMS OF BUSINESS WE HAVE READ THIS EVENING.

>> OKAY. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL OPEN CITIZENS OPEN FORM. IF YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO DO THAT. WE ASK THAT YOU COME 40 GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS ARE ADDRESSED TO THE COUNCIL.

>> GOOD EVENING, FOLKS. 1927 WATERCRESS DRIVE. I JUST REALLY WANT TO COMPLIMENT YOU , AGAIN, FOR ALL OF THE MATTERS THAT YOU HAVE HANDLED. MISS MEGAN, I WAS LISTENING TO YOU . YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND SO FORTH . IT'S JUST AMAZING HOW YOU MANAGE AND HOW YOU KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THAT. YOU ARE THE GATEKEEPER OF THE CITY I BELIEVE . ASSIST AMAZING HOW YOU DO THAT . MAYOR, YOU'RE DEFINITELY THE FACE OF THE COMMUNITY WITH ALL OF THE THINGS YOU PARTICIPATE IN. BUT CHIEF TOMMY , BOB, TONY , KELLY AND TOMMY, I REALLY PATIENT YOUR TIME. ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS , FACILITATING CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT . I WILL COME BACK TO THOSE TWO TERMS. I WILL REPEAT THEM RIGHT NOW. ACTIVE OF OPEN THE CITIZENS, AND FACILITATING CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT. WAS THINKING OF ALL THE WAYS THAT THE CITY GARNERS THE COMMUNITIES ENERGY . YOU HAVE COMMISSIONS , THE PLANNING COMMISSION, YOU HAVE THE COUNCIL , I'M LOOKING AT THEM RIGHT NOW. THIS IS THE COUNCIL. WE HAVE THE ADVISORY BOARD , I KNOW THAT ONE. AND THE NEW ONE! 2040. IS THAT A COMMISSION? THAT A COMMITTEE? I DON'T KNOW. NOT THAT IT

MATTERS. >> IT IS A MOVEMENT.

] >> IT'S A MOVEMENT. THERE YOU GO. BUT, THE POINT IS IT IS JUST REALLY A HEALTHY WAY THAT YOU HAVE TO INVITE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND SO FORTH. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO COMPLETELY SHARE WITH YOU WHAT I REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT, BUT I WILL SEND IT OUT TO YOU IN THE MORNING BRIGHT AND EARLY. IT HAS TO DO WITH RECYCLING BACK TO THE PARK DRAIN PROCESS AND SO FORTH. IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE STORY OF THE PARK. AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE STONE AND BRONZE PLAQUE THAT WE SET IN PLACE. THAT WAS A VERY 20TH, A YEAR AGO. BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU , AND AGAIN, I'M TALKING ABOUT 140 CITIZENS .

140 CITIZENS. 140+ CITIZENS THAT I HAVE TALKED WITH , AND LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF CITIZEN CONTACT HOURS THAT HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS. WHAT YOU WILL SEE TOMORROW, YOU SEE WE PUT A LOT OF TIME IN, AND WE ARE JUST SHARING WITH YOU . I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE CITIZENS WERE THE STARS IN THIS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE OF THAT. I SAID IT WAS GOING TO

[00:25:01]

>> THANK YOU, MR. COSGROVE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY SHIRT.

>> THANK YOU. >> WILL BE NEXT?

>> ALL RIGHT. MY NAME IS JACOB FROM 999 NORTH BROAD STREET . I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY. FOR AUBURN UNIVERSITY INSISTING ANY PRESENCE OF OUR HISTORY, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECORDING THESE MEETINGS.

STANDING HERE, I THINK BACK TO THE TIME I ATTENDED MY FIRST CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR A CLASS AT AUBURN HIGH, AND HOW IT TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. IT IS THAT LESSON THAT HAS BROUGHT ME HERE TODAY WITH STAGNATING AND RISING INFLATION, RENT INCREASES, AND MANY CITIZENS WALKED OUT OF HOMEOWNERSHIP TO EXTRA NEAR A HIGH COST, MANY WORKING-CLASS ARE NOTICING A DEAL THAT NO LONGER WORKS FOR THEM. AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AUBURN'S BIGGEST EMPLOYER, MEANING THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTS HUNDREDS OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY WORKERS. I STAND HERE TODAY HOLDING A PETITION CRAFTED BY AUBURN UNITED CAMPUS WORKERS CALLING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO READ AND SIGN THIS PETITION. THIS PETITION LOOKS TO INCREASE THE WAGES FOR AUBURN'S LOWEST PAID WORKERS , AND POSITIONS LIKE THIS ONE ARE TAKEN UP ALL ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST. THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY , AND IN THE CASE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE IN KNOXVILLE, THEY WON. HIGHER STATEMENTS AND HIGHER WAGES. AS MY TIME IS LIMITED, AND THE INFORMATION IS FAST, MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE JUSTIFICATION AND WHAT THIS PETITION SPECIFICALLY CALLS FOR CAN BE FOUND IN THE PETITION ITSELF . AS ONE IMPORTANT AUBURN CITIZEN WANT ONCE SAID, QUOTE, THIS IS YOUR CITY. TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE THE CITY OF AUBURN THE VERY BEST COMMUNITY FOR ALL AUBURN CITIZENS . AND I BELIEVE A CITY COUNCIL STANDING WITH THE WORKING-CLASS FOLKS OF THE CITY CAN MAKE THIS CITY THE VERY BEST. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES, I AM SORRY. I DID NOT KNOW YOU HAD SOMETHING WITH YOU. I APOLOGIZE. YES, JUST LEAVE US

WITH THE CITY MANAGER. >> I SEE YOU HAVE A PACKET FOR

EACH PERSON? OKAY. >> WILL BE NEXT?

>> YOU LEFT US A DRIVERS LICENSE.

>> YOU DID? THANK YOU. >> MARTHA, 307 CAMILLO DRIVE.

THE TEACHER ASSISTED HOMOSEXUALITY -- DISCONNECTED - PLEASE STAND BY WHILE RECONNECTING ]

[00:30:43]

>> WILL BE NEXT? >> I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO

THAT, IF I MAY? >> CAN WE GET THROUGH WITH

THIS? >> SURE.

>> HELLO. GABRIEL DONE HIM, 210 EAST AVENUE. READING IS A FOUNDATIONAL SKILL CRITICAL TO FUTURE LEARNING AND TO EXERCISING OUR DEMOCRATIC FREEDOMS. WE CAN TRUST INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY READ AND BELIEVE. PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN'S READING, BUT PARENTS SHOULD NOT BE MAKING DECISIONS FOR OTHER PARENTS CHILDREN. SPECIFICALLY, A SMALL GROUP OF PARENTS SHOULD NOT DICTATE WHAT BOOKS OTHER PEOPLE CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED TO READ. BOOKS ARE TOOLS FOR UNDERSTANDING COMPLEX ISSUES , LIMITING YOUNG PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO BOOKS DOES NOT PROTECT THEM FROM LIVES COMPLEX AND CHALLENGING ISSUES. YOUNG PEOPLE DESERVE TO SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN LIBRARIES BOOKS, ESPECIALLY LGBTQ+ USE. REMOVING AND BANNING BOOKS FROM PUBLIC LIBRARIES IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE TO GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP , AND THE EROSION OF OUR COUNTRY'S COMMITMENT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. I ASKED THE COUNCIL TO PLEASE REJECT ANY EFFORTS TO BAN BOOKS, AND ALLOW INDIVIDUALS AND PARENTS TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN READ AND BELIEVE IN. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> HELLO. KERRY HILL. 1199 NORTHSTAR COURT. I WANT TO CIRCLE BACK TO SOMETHING THAT THE MAYOR TALKED ABOUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING ABOUT WHAT A ROUGH YEAR THIS STATION HAS HAD. LET'S REFLECT ON WHY THAT WAS. WHAT LED TO THAT HAPPENING. AND DO WE THINK THAT TOLERATING HATE SPEECH TOWARDS INDIVIDUALS IS SOMETHING THAT HELPS KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING? AUBURN IS COMMITTED TO BEING AN ATTRACTIVE, ENVIRONMENTALLY ATTRACTIVE COMMITTEE THAT IS PROGRESSIVE, RESPONSIVE, AND HOSPITABLE. HOW HAS IT BEEN HOSPITABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE DEFAMING ALL HOMOSEXUAL PEOPLE MEETING AFTER MEETING FOR OVER A YEAR AT THIS POINT? AND ALLOWED TO DO THAT WITH NO REPERCUSSIONS? HOW IS THAT A HOSPITABLE CITY AT ALL? THANKS.

>> THANK YOU. WILL BE NEXT? >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR ANDERS.

FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU ALL FOR PROVIDING THE LEADERSHIP TO ALLOW THE LIBRARY WORD TO A CERTAIN ISSUES LIKE SOME OF THE SPEAKERS THIS EVENING, BUT ALSO, TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL AUTHORS TO SHOW THEIR WORKS , LIKE YOURS TRULY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN BEFORE YOU SINCE I GAVE A PRESENTATION ON MY BIRTHDAY . ALL SIX BOOKS, WHICH ARE ALL AVAILABLE ON AMAZON. AND ALSO, EVEN ALLOWING THE LIBRARY TO ENCOURAGE US TO PLANT SEEDS INTO COMMUNITY GARDENS. WHERE I LIVE, WE JUST HEARD OF THE COMMUNITY GARDEN A YEAR AGO, AND WILL MAKE SURE TO PASS IT ALONG TO EVERYBODY THAT IS INTERESTED. ALSO ON THE MATTER OF FREE SPEECH , I AM PART OF THE TUMOR CITY , AND TODAY WAS 1437 DAYS WE HAVE BEEN THERE. WE GOT TO ENGAGEMENT WITH A GENTLEMAN THAT DID NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH OUR VIEWS, AND IT GOT A LITTLE HEATED , BUT I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT TO YOU THAT NOTHING SERIOUS HAPPENED. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS AN AGREEMENT OR NOT, BUT WE LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US CITIZENS TO EXERCISE OUR RIGHTS ACCORDING TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS. AND FINALLY , AS A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN TO THE PARK, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR

[00:35:04]

YOU SHOULD SEE THE EXCITEMENT. SO, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AND

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT? OKAY. AT THIS TIME, WILL CLOSE CITIZENS OPEN FORM.

COUNCILMEMBER PARSONS, I BELIEVE YOU LIKE TO MAKE A

SAVING? >> YES, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

DR. DENMARK, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PRESENTATIONS ON YOUR BOOKS AT THE LIBRARY. THAT IS AN EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT , AND I AM SUPER PROUD THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT. WITH REGARDS TO THE OLD WOMAN, SHE IS, AGAIN, SPEAKING IN THE WRONG VENUE. THIS BODY HAS NO PURVIEW ON THE DECISIONS OF THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD. AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO LISTEN TO SOMEBODY CONTINUE TO DISPARAGE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY , OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS. AND I WILL REMIND HER THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS HERE TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST YOURS.

AS A PARENT , I FREQUENT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY . ON A PERSONAL NOTE, AS A PARENT, I FORGOT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY , AND I HAVE, WITH ALL OF MY CHILDREN, MY OLDEST IS 27 NOW. MY YOUNGEST IS 11. AND I HAVE ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE IN THE DECISIONS OF OUR LIBRARY . I HAVE ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE THAT CHILDREN OF AN APPROPRIATE AGE WILL BE ENJOYING APPROPRIATE MATERIAL .

THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS BIGGER THAN YOUR INTERESTS , AND THE COUNCIL IS CHARGED TO REPRESENT EVERYBODY IN THE

COMMUNITY. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> REAL QUICK, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ANY CHANGES

COMING TO FELTON PARK. >> THAT IS CORRECT. I THINK HE MAY HAVE BEEN REFERRING TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION CULTURAL MASTER PLAN , WHERE THERE WERE CHANGES PROPOSED. AT THIS TIME, THEY ARE NOT IN THE SIX YOUR CAPITAL PERMIT PLAN. LESS OUR NEW PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR TELLS ME SHE IS PROPOSING SOMETHING I AM CURRENTLY UNAWARE OF , I'M NOT PLAN TO BE PROPOSING THIS JESSICA COMING UP. YES, DEFINITELY, THERE IS A PLAN TO DO SO, BUT WE ARE MAKING NO CHANGES AT THIS TIME OR ANY TIME SOON TO THE PARK.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> MR. MAYOR, EARLIER, I LEFT OUT THE CITY STAFF WITH THE BRIDGE AS WELL. SO, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I TELL THEM THAT I APPRECIATE THEM.

>> MAX, WE APPRECIATE THAT. IT ALSO PROBABLY TOOK A LOT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEALING WITH STREETS AND OTHER THINGS. BUT BRANDY IS OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEER WHO WAS ON SCENE FOR A LONG TIME THAT DAY. AND HAS BEEN EVERY DAY ON THIS. WHILE SHE IS NOT HERE, SHE MIGHT BE LISTENING. I AM DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE, BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I GET TO BE PROUD OF AS I HAVE ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE AS MY TEAM CAME TOGETHER. THEY ARE VERY WELL TRAINED. THESE ARE CONSTANT PROFESSIONALS. THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE CITIZENS.

WE PIVOTED QUICKLY, AND YES, WE SIGNED A CONTRACT VERY QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY CONTRACT WITH SCOTT BRIDGE THAT HAPPENS TO BE A LOCAL CONTRACTOR . WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A BRIDGE COMPANY WHO REACHED OUT THAT DAY AND WAS ON SCENE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT HAPPENED. THERE HAS BEEN SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY WE CLOSED THE BRIDGE. WE CLOSED THE BRIDGE FOR PARAMOUNT SAFETY. IT WILL HAVE SCHOOL BUSES AND OTHER THINGS GOING ACROSS THE BRIDGE TYPICALLY HAS ITS CHALLENGES BELOW. I WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT AS THIS GETS OPEN, THE NSA WILL OPEN BEFORE THE BRIDGE DOES WHEN THEY GET TO OPENING IT BECAUSE OF CARING CONCRETE. WE WILL SPEAK TO THAT IN THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS , BUT OUR GOAL IS TO GET THE INTERSTATE OPEN FIRST. THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN, AND THIS HAS BEEN IMPRESSIVE. ON THE SPOT, THEY GET A LOT OF HEAT BECAUSE THE ONLY LOT OF INTERSTATES. BUT THEY DID EVERYTHING THAT THEY COULD WITHIN THEIR AUTHORITY IMMEDIATELY WITH EXPEDITIONS, AND WAS GRATEFUL.

>> ANYONE ELSE? YES, SIR? >> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE DR. DENMARK ON YOUR COMPLIMENTS WRITING BOOKS.

I AM A FRUSTRATED AUTHOR MYSELF. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS OF CALM WISDOM ABOUT THIS FORM. ABOUT THE FIRST

[00:40:05]

THAT WE TREASURE AND WE FIGHT FOR. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT RON ANDERS AND I, AND PROBABLY THE CHIEF HAVE HIT NOT HOME RUNS, BUT GOOD FOUL BALLS . MAYBE NOT TOUCHDOWNS, BUT GOOD ATTEMPTS AT A RUNNING GAME IN THAT PARK, AND IS A TREASURE TO US AND TO OUR HEARTS. IT IS A SPECIAL PLACE , AND I BELIEVE IT WAS SO, ACCORDING TO STEVE COSGROVE, FOR A DOLLAR. AND IT

IS A TREASURE TO THE CITY. >> ANYONE ELSE? SINCE OUR LAST MEETING , I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF EXPERIENCES AS I RECALLED EARLIER. BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO THE DIFFERENCE IN THESE TWO ROUTES OF PEOPLE THAT I WILL ASK PLAINTIFF YOU AND TALK ABOUT. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. ONE THAT IS ARE PRESENTED AS A WHAT ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING COMPANY THAT HAS A LOT OF INFLUENCE IN OUR STATE THAT OPENED A HEADQUARTER IN AUBURN. A FEW YEARS AGO , IT OPENED A NEWER OFFICE. A LARGER OFFICE IN DOWNTOWN AUBURN. AS WELL AS TWO ACCOUNTING FIRMS. I KNOW ONE OF THEM HAS OVER A 100 YEAR HISTORY. THE OTHER ONE HAS BUILT A PHYSICAL PRESENCE IN TOWN . IT'S PROBABLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF BEAUTIFUL OFFICE BUILDINGS , AND THEY MADE CONSCIOUS CHOICES BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR CITY AND OUR FUTURE TO MOVE THEIR BUSINESSES HERE. BECAUSE I THINK THAT THIS IS A PLACE THAT THEY CAN DO BUSINESS AND BE SUCCESSFUL. WHEN YOU COMPARE THAT TO THREE OTHER ENTITIES AND BUSINESSES THAT HAD CUTTINGS, ONE IS FOR YOUNG MAN WHO OPENED AN OPTICAL PRACTICE HERE. FOR PEOPLE WHO MAYBE COULD NOT AFFORD. YOU HAD TO BE ANY DIFFERENT KIND OF ECONOMIC SCALE , WHO NEEDED I SERVICE AND GLASSES. A YOUNG LADY WHO JUST GOT OUT OF DENTAL SCHOOL FROM LEAGUE COUNTY WHO CANNOT WAIT TO OPEN HER PRACTICE IN AUBURN, AND TO HER AND HER MOM, HER DAD, AND HER FAMILY TO EXCITED THEY WERE IN THE COMMITTEE. IN THE RESTAURANT, THREE SISTERS FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY, THEY CAME TO AMERICA TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAM, AND NOW, THEY HAVE A RESTAURANT. SO, YOU HAVE THREE LET'S JUST CALL THEM BLUEBLOOD COMPANIES THAT MADE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO COME TO AUBURN TO FURTHER THEIR COMPANY'S ABILITY TO PRODUCE FOR THEIR CLIENTS , AND TO MAKE A PROFIT , AND THEN, YOU HAVE GOT THREE PEOPLE WHO ARE FOLLOWING THEIR DREAM WHO ARE BRAND-NEW IN BUSINESS.

BRANDYWINE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE THAT HAVE COME TO OUR COMMUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR FUTURE. AND I HOPE ALL OF YOU, JUST AS YOU SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED BY ALL THE GOOD WORK THAT GOES ON WITH OUR CITIZENS ON BEHALF OF NONPROFITS AND THOSE WHO CAN PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES OR NEED EXTRA HELP ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE IN US, AND THEY BELIEVE IN THE AUBURN DREAM , AND THEY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A GOOD PLACE FOR THEM TO BE, AND TO RAISE THEIR FAMILY, AND TO REACH FOR THE SKY. AND FOR ALL OF THAT, I AM VERY HONORED AND THANKFUL THAT I GET TO LIVE IN AUBURN, AND BE A SMALL PART OF A GREAT COMMUNITY THAT HELPS SO MANY PEOPLE. ANYONE ELSE?

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.