Council - Regular Meeting

The city council meeting is now called to order. If everybody will stand, please invocation. Prayer will be led by Mayor Tyler followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Great witness. Heavenly Father, Lord, we are grateful for yet another day that you have given us. Your mercies are new every morning, and we're just thankful for you and for your son and what you've done for us. Lord, we ask today for your guidance, your wisdom, and discernment over this meeting. We want you to be glorified and honored in all that we say, think, and do during this time. Father, you are the the light into our path. So, we look to you for wisdom and guidance today. Thank you again for your son. In your name we pray. Amen. 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. Mr. Light, if you'll call the RO, please. Council member Hendris

here. Council member Dixon here. Council member Bowling. Council member Spence here. Council member King here. Council President Simmons here. Madam President, we have five council members in attendance and there four of them, Miss President. Thank you. At this time, can we get the approval of the agenda as presented? Some move. Second. Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Miss King. All in favor? 5 motion here.

Thank you. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to our city council meeting for today. For those viewing online, let me explain [clears throat] that today is youth and government day. This day has been sponsored annually by the Florence Exchange Club for 51 years. We have about 75 students here this morning and this is an excellent opportunity for our students to see our government in action as well as our officials to see their fine caliber of our future leaders for our city. Thank you students for your interest and participation and I trust it will be an informative and beneficial day for us all. I also would like to read a um an email from Councilman Josh Bolan who's the councilman for district 4 who's unable to be with us on today. Dear students, adviserss, exchange acts, mayor and fellow council members, I want to sincerely apologize for not being able to attend youth and government day this year. as the Florence City Council District 4 representative and president of the Florence Exchange Club. This is truly one of the most exciting and meaningful days of the year for me. I always look forward to seeing you young leaders ask thoughtful questions and experience firsthand how local government works. It makes it even more special now that I have the privilege of serving on the Florence City Council. Being part of the city government government has deepened my appreciation for what this day represent, encouraging the next generation to lead, serve, and make a difference in our community. It genuinely upsets me that I cannot be there in person. However, my daughter will be competing in the final four basketball tournaments this morning with the Mars Hill Lady Panthers, and I will be cheering her on proudly. Supporting her in this special moment is something I simply cannot miss. Please know that I am with you in spirit and fully remain supportive of youth and government and

the incredible opportunities it provides. I look forward to being a part of this again in the future. Thank you for understanding and I hope you have an outstanding and inspiring day. Sincerely, Josh Bowling, Florence City Council, District 4, the president of the Florence Exchange Club. And I think we got notification that uh Mars Hill fell short, but we do pray uh congratulate them still for making it to the final four. We pray them safe traveling grace back home. At this time, we'll have a message from Mayor Tyler.

Thank you very much, Miss Simmons. Thank you all for coming. Obviously, today's a little different. It is our youth and government day and we're thrilled to have our Florence City students with us for this annual youth and government day council meeting. So every year the city of Florence Exchange Club sponsors this event. We're grateful for the exchange club and for all of those members who are here with us today. And our students get a firsthand look at what serving through our local government looks like. Told them earlier it's going to be an exciting meeting. They also have the opportunity after lunch to visit with some of our city departments, learn about some of those jobs and the job opportunities that are available here in the city. I want to recognize the two of the three city schools who have brought their upper classmen today. Florence High School is represented and also Scholes Christian. As Miss Simmons mentioned, Mars Hill was not with us as they were competing in the final four and and we do uh we know that it didn't turn out the way they wanted. We wish them well on their way back home. Uh each of the two schools that are represented also have a sponsor here who is with them and I do want to recognize and I know the students are proud of each of them. William Townsen from Florence High School. Thank you Mr. Townsen [applause] and also Shauna Sailor with Schles Christian Miss Sailor. [cheering] [applause] So part of students, part of what I do is I I get to present proclamations and and I am proud today to have Jada Winston who is the 2026 Miss Una who's present with us. Miss Winston, if you will, I'm going to read the proclamation and then I'll present it to you and we'll get a picture here in just a moment. Is that all right with you? We're kind of a different setup at in this environment. So So we'll do it a little different. part of Miss Winston's platform is is a hunger action month and she wants to uh well let me just read

the the proclamation and you'll understand her her her platform about uh about dealing with hunger issues. So, let me read this. It says, "Whereas hunger remains a persistent and heartbreaking reality for millions of individuals and families across our nation with food insecurity affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities. And whereas the state of Alabama ranks among the poorest in the nation with approximately 17% of adults and 23% of children facing food insecurity and lacking regular access to nutritious food necessary for a healthy life. And whereas in Lauderdale County, Alabama, more than 10,000 residents experience food insecurity representing 13% of our population. And whereas March Out Hunger Month observed each march serves as a nationwide call to action to raise awareness, inspire advocacy, and mobilize resources to combat hunger and promote food equity. And whereas Jada Winston has chosen to champion March Out Hunger Month through her community service initiative, Bread of Life, which focuses on fighting food insecurity, one family at a time, and through volunteerism, food drives, educational outreach, and collaboration with other area organizations. A commitment to close the gap in food insecurity is growing now. Therefore, I, Ron Tyler, mayor of the city of Florence, Alabama, recognize and proclaim the month of March 2026 as Hunger Action Month in the city of Florence, in honor of all those working to eliminate food insecurity. And in recognition of Jada Winston's outstanding leadership and service in advocating for such an important cause, let this proclamation serve as a reminder that hunger is a real issue that impacts our communities. And

through awareness, advocacy, and volunteerism, we can help make a difference. Miss Winston, if you'd come forward, I'd like to present this proclamation. [applause] I know how hard it is to work become well I don't become Miss Q&A [laughter] years ago I wasn't judged though and I know how hard you all ladies work so congratulations to you it's uh it's it's those things are not given away they're earned so hard work congratulations Again, couple of other announcements I do want to say. Uh March the 7th, this Saturday is a citywide cleanup. If you are interested or your group, club, church, neighborhood, whatever. If you're interested in participating, you can come to the coliseum at 8 a.m. right here to get supplies or sign up your group for your own time and your own location at floral.org at our website. and we uh we would encourage uh as many people as possible to participate in the citywide cleanup this Saturday. Now, this is the first time we've done this. Uh last year's administration passed this and I think our council supported it, but for the first time ever, I am going to introduce our city poet laurate Shannon Milleman to come forward if she would and share her inaugural poet laurate poem. Thank you, Miss Milman. Thank you. I [applause] might have a selfie. Okay, it's a moment. I am overjoyed to be the poet laurate of Florence, Alabama for the next two years. What that means is that I am your

poet laurate. I am your champion of words and I am here to help you tell your story and to help you give the breath that makes you being a resident of Florence and beyond beautiful. I believe that poetry belongs everywhere. Places that you may not think it belongs. At school, at work, at play, in community, wherever people gather or are alone. Poetry, as my father, who turned me on to the show Kung Fu with David Keredine, said, "Kung Fu is everything." And I think the same of poetry. You have to work with it to find that it is everywhere and everything. Um, but it is there. I'm going to share two poems and um close with a a sharing of a couple of poet laurate events that are upcoming for the community to invite you all to and I hope it's the the beginning of many in the future. And I want you to know that I am available for any any purposes. If you would like a poem at an event or anything that might bring a little extra special touch with with inspiration with words, I would love to be a part of it. Workshops, presentations, can't wait. The first poem it is called to the Florence Police Department mounted patrol unit who winnied for the planetary parade February 26 26 last I was moved by horse harmony was my family's first Friday on Court Street an officer brought my kids pizza after dismounting horse warda our protector I take a grooved Right turn yawn yonder Rickwood Road again to Florence High. This time North Alabama Dance Festival in Golden Rod Sunset and behold a gallop from east to west. Police horses off

duty. You'd never know. Out of uniform they skip and frolic low below Orion drawn between dreams. This trilling trio could glide in switchgrass across six planets in evening sky. Not every officer or citizen will put on house coat and bother with swooping arc ellipsis with Mercury magic. Venus vitrial sucker Saturn night Neptune nuance claim Uranus hours all hours and jump with Jupiter. But Sloan and Avalanche, norble, noble Belgian crossorse and quarter horse do. With nothing better to do than sense the invisible path the sun follows and the same flat p plane our solar system was born from 4.6 billion years ago. Tonight rest is delayed as horses sing. Nay, play say ray. They are supernova lights of sun. They need no binoculars to face twilight. Huddle to sister horse warda. Tell her gospel that there is art across the sky in planets. They do not know the science of castor and pollock in Gemini with a 92% moon glowing just four degrees away. But they know this twilight evening. They are breath, heat, wind, run. As I take left turn on Helton Drive, Warda equin protector gathers the males to the barn. Thank you. [applause]

And uh the final that I will share today hopefully the beginning of many also I intend to share the words of many so we can all be a little more poetic intelligent. This one is uh in sync with Jada and um didn't know of her particular focus before but if it's okay with her I'd like to dedicate this poem to Jada Winston and her good works. It is called Mealware Meal Barrel Project Waterlue, Alabama. If you're familiar with this organization, Penny Freeman and many beautiful volunteers um a donationworthy entity do a lot to help food insecurity in our area. A poem called Meal Barrel Project Waterlue, Alabama. Waiting is when skin cells turn inside out. It's inhaling car fumes hearing there ain't no good chain gang compete with I swear by the moon [singing] and the stars in the sky. It's move your car forward. Stay in line for your reward of asparagus bites, sweet potatoes. Is this how it will be with Peter and the pearly gates? All of us waiting our turn for public's cupcakes. For when making ends meet is rough with the price of eggs these days. Your daddy too was a boiler maker. Local 45. Without judgment, volunteer gives a high five to chubby teen and flower stretch pants and a grin. She delights. This hall includes nerd gummies and lemonade. Feels like that moment in the Outsiders. Johnny tells Pony Boy, "Stay gold." "Hello, dear B." Like they're familiar. Asks about Walmart. Carry that ragu. Did

you bring boxes? That's all right. Have your ID ready. Cars roll. Forklift beeps. Woman with artificial leg hops to car. Three roads forward like nesting dolls. Cigarette smoke waffs. Smelling of class division. Setbacks rolling forward. Hope all will be fed for a week. Train tracks. Whistle goes like a miracle of loaves and fishes. So dawn goes down today. Peter opens the gate. Eat the oranges before they rot. Nothing gold can stay. Thank you. [applause] And finally, I would love to invite everyone in our community to a few upcoming events. Um, on the 5th, there is a Seven Points Press and Renaissance Arts Divi Division launch at Abraham Rose Studio at 7 p.m. An inaugural poet reading celebration at the South Hall building, one of the Kennedy Douglas on March 9th, 6 p.m. A poetry prom, all ages, all invited. You dance, the music stops, a poem is shared, dance begins again April 11th at the Village School in Sheffield, 7 to 10 p.m. And cemetery poetry at the Florence City Cemetery in partnership with Grimrose Manor. Thank you. [applause] Thank you, Shannon. At this time, do we have any reports for any department heads? Any standing committees?

Okay, we do have one public hearing. Miss Bailey here for the public hearing.

Mr. M. Uh this is uh public hearing is required by state law for uh the granting of um economic development incentives. And this is for the public hearing for the incentives that are proposed for the Hotel Wilson project um to be located on Tennessee Street. and it was advertised in the paper and the incentives are set forth or the proposed incentives rather are set forth in the paper. I can read those if you want me to or we can just start the public hearing. Mr. President, we can start public. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. At this time of the public hearing is now open. Is there anyone to my right who would like to speak for guest in the middle? Anyone want to speak in regards to the public hearing to my left? Okay. There be none. So at this time, Miss Muswell, there's none. So we go ahead with the vote. Uh we'll just close the public hearing. Yes, ma'am. Okay. The public hearing is now closed and at this time will come up for a vote. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. At this time we will have uh business from the floor pertaining to the items on the consent and the regular agenda with a fivem minute um time period. Anyone to my left? Good race Simpson 755 West Alabama Street Florence, Alabama to the mayor council. Good morning still. Let's look at one item here. Uh thanks 12 C resolutions alcohol approval Tennessee Valley line Jim Spain drive alcohol approval brings a lot of tax money but some of us found out that especially many years ago that uh [snorts] I was in a line of a generation that had alcohol problems, became uh addicted on alcohol and things like that. So when you check your genealogical history of family members that had these problems, you you need to try to steer away from it. Also, alcohol caused a lot of problems. A lot of people get locked up

because they can't control alcohol. But because alcohol is legal in our city, we we we set it and then if you do wrong by drive with alcohol in your system and things like that, you can be arrested. Why? Because you're protecting the innocent. But those that can't follow the rules, there's consequences. So if you got a problem with alcohol, you need to quit. Don't even start if you got a problem. Even though we get tax money, a lot of tax money from the sale, every individual has to make their own choice. And you need to make a wise choice whether you're going to continue or not or you going to start. Also, our restaurants that sell alcohol, that's the there's regulations to how much you can sell. uh in your restaurant. And we have to have law enforcement and people to monitor these restaurants that sell too much alcohol. Also, we also have to have our law enforcement uh to protect the innocent and those that are trying to drive careful from those that not driving according to the law. So, if you think you got going to have a problem drinking alcohol, it's better not to start. So you have to make wise decisions and wise decision come from wise people. You can't listen to everybody according to what life is going to bring. There's

consequences when you make mistakes. And this is why we have law enforcement that's going to do the right thing. Even though nobody's perfect, not even our law enforcement. And then the people of our city have to make sure that our law enforcement and everybody has some type of uh uh accountability to justice in our city is doing the right thing. even our judges, our policemen, and even our counselor and people on staff. We got a great staff. That's good.

You have one minute. But alcohol to most people is a fun time. Some people can drink okay sociably, but some people can't. And if you understand if you got a problem with alcohol after you try, stop it. So, as a minister of the gospel, I've had problems. I'm not perfect, but I learned how to stay away from things that make me do the wrong thing. That's consequence. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Anyone else to my left? in the middle to my right. There'll be none at this time. Um, Mr. Light, if you'll read the consent agenda. All matters listed within the consent agenda have been distributed to each member of the Florence City Council for reading and study are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion from the council with no separate discussion. If separate discussion is desired, that item may be removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda by request.

Thank you, Dor. A motion to approve the agenda as presented. So move. Second motion by Mr. Spence, second by Miss Dixon. All in favor of the motion. Five zero. Motion carries.

Regular agenda. Regular agenda. Item A is a contract Civil Group LLC construction engineering and inspection services for the Rickwood Road widening and improvements from Chisel Road to Halton Drive ALD project number CRP SH- STPSU-3915 250 parentheses hourly rate not project not to exceed $394,221 This project is 80% federal 20% city of funds account number 110- 931-481.39.

Do you have a motion for immediate consideration? So move. Second motion by Mr. Henrik, second by Miss King. All in favor of the motion. Do you have a motion for the adoption? So move. Motion by motion by Mr. Spence, second by Miss King. Any discussion? This was um paid with a 8020 match. Uh 20 being a city and 80 being the federal. No other discussion. All in favor of the motion?

5. Motion carries. Item B is resolution alcohol beverage license Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo visit the Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo at 200 Jim Spain Drive which is in McFarland Park from June 4th through June 6th. Do you have a motion for immediate consideration? So move

second motion by Mr. Hendrick, second by Katrina Simmons. All in favor of the motion. 50. Do we have a motion for the adoption? So move. Second. Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Miss King. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion?

5 Z. Motion carries. Item C is a resolution regarding the proposed incentives for the developer of the Hotel Wilson project. Do you have a motion for immediate consideration? So move second motion by Mr. Henrik, second by Mr. Spence. All in favor of the motion. 5 Z have a motion for the adoption. So moved. Second.

Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Mr. Hendricks. Any discussion? By way of discussion. Um I see that the developer is here. So thank you for being here and we appreciate um you bringing this project to the city of Florence. All in favor of the motion for more discussion? All in favor of the motion

5 Z. Motion carries and item D is an ordinance to approve a development agreement for J properties regarding the Hotel Wilson development. Do I hear a motion for immediate consideration? So move. Second motion by Mr. Hendrick, second by Miss King. All in favor of the motion. 50. Do you have a motion for the adoption? So moved. Second.

Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mr. Hendricks. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion? 5 Z. Motion carries.

That's all I have, Madam President. Thank you very much. At this time, we'll have business from the public with a five minute um time limit. We'll start to my right. Anyone want to have any comments? In the middle, to my left. Thank you, madame president and council. Again, Ray Simpson. Believe all y'all know my address by now. If you don't, I give it to you again. 755 West Alabama Street Farm. As a minister of the gospel of good news, I don't believe any bad news. Some of y'all get that later on. I'm reminded as a follower of Christ, for the love of money is the root of all evil. But the love of money, not money, the love of it. Without a vision, the people perish. Vision come from the heart. Eyesight and five senses come from things around you. You should never elect a person without vision because they can't see the traps and snares of life because all of them look rosy. Most people I understand is is looking for contentment. They looking for bigger house, nice car, money in the bank.

But when you're a minister, you're looking for a soul to win. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. We have a lot of educated, well, I almost said educated, but educated people are good, but without a vision, you're still going to perish. Education is good. We talk about education We understand how beneficial education is, especially in France, our educational system. But as I look over the students today, I see a certain flavor. But when I go to the athletic events, I see another flavor of people. Some people are not inspired so much about science. They are inspired by events, athletic events. But we want all of our students to be inspired by something to stay in school. Is it enough money? $15 million put into the school system when it's not allocated properly after the school system get it. And then we see some people are unfairly left out, de marginalized that maybe have another flavor that spend a lot of money on the games. And then we have other people involved in the games where the parents are marginalized and it's hard to keep them involved in these athletic events

because someone is not using the money fairly. We must unite in our community. This is what we elect our officials to do to us. unite everyone in our community with jobs, education, and different things. But when we elect or put people in charge that don't have a vision, the people perish. And it's one thing we going to have to do in Florence, Alabama, not just in Washington, but we going to have to find out what the United States Constitution means. And not just give pledge to the flag, but we need to give pledge to the United States Constitution. flag can be removed, but it's going to be a little harder to remove the United States Constitution. Every human being in our city have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, not just the citizens. And if you think you can get rid of a human just because they're a different color, come from a different location, you're wrong. And you're not a real Christian. You have one minute. You need to look in your heart again. Not only you all. I'm talking to you all because I got to talk to y'all. But I'm talking to a lot of people that are hearing what I'm saying. God large hell for his for demons, but he had to make it bigger because some people was going to follow you.

Don't be the one that go. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else to my left in the middle? Yes.

Hey guys. I have no idea how this works. So, so if you will just state your name and give your address.

All right. U my name is Austin Foresight and I live at 280 uh County Road 381. And I wanted to talk about something I heard. Um I don't know what this fine gentleman's name is, but I heard him talking about alcohol and I kind of wanted to give my my uh opinion on that. I think that the ban of alcohol isn't really something we should do because I believe that everyone should have the choice to indulge whenever they want to. So if that be alcohol or any sort of that manner, it should be done in like he suggested a controlled manner. But I think banning it altogether is kind of extreme, especially because we should all deserve the chance to be able to make a choice and not just past experiences define the choices that go forward. So, while there is definitely misusage here in Florence, that doesn't mean that we should remove it for everybody because people can still make good choices with the alcohol that they decide to buy. And that's all I had to say. Thank you.

Thank you [applause] for the United States. Get out. There you go. Good dream. Anyone else? Any other students want to have an opportunity to get up and share and [cough and clears throat] Okay. Anyone else to my right? Okay. If no one else at that this this time, we will have council members uh reports starting with Mr. Spency.

Wow. Austin. Um future mayor, city council, whatever you want to be.

President, we'll do that. So, um, just thank you for the students that are here today. Um, we appreciate each and every one of you and what you're doing to to better our city and to look at areas that we as um, a council and a mayor can improve on. And we thank you for being here today. And just remember, I think I talked to my group about um, hands-free Alabama. So, don't put your phones up while you're driving because you're going to get in trouble. So, I just want to do a reminder, but do thank you for being here. Thank you for those who changed and shifted their day for being here, our constituents. Um, for, you know, those on YouTube that'll be watching. We appreciate all that. Um, actually, I want to thank you, say thank you to our city employees and what they do each and every day. Um, they do not get the recognition that they deserve, but they they go above and beyond. and actually want to thank Elizabeth for this fine day that we're doing today and what she's done to prepare us and the mayor for this and we thank you Elizabeth. Also also like to recognize Justin Mason who has been in an interview and just is official now. He is our building official and um expect a lot of great things from him and what he's doing. He's very attentive to our city and what's going on and we thank him for that. Also, Mr. Simpson, I'd like to say to you, I think we mentioned this last time, that $14 million goes into we at the last meeting, that there's $14 million there, and we have no control over the school board. There's six viable people who make those decisions. So, we really encourage you to go to the schoolboard meeting or meet individually with them with the superintendent, the interim. You know, we really encourage you to do that because there's nothing on this end that we can do about that. They control their financials and we

control the financials for the city. Okay. Also, I just wanted to remind um you know, citywide cleanup March 7th, that's this Saturday. I know there were some students in here that raised their hand that lived in district 5. So, we will be meeting at first um the fir forest hills Baptist Church and we will be there at 8 o'clock to start um you know looking at some areas that we can improve in district 5. But again, thank you students for being here. We wish you nothing but the best in your future. Thank you, Mr. Spence, Miss King.

Hello everyone. We are so grateful that you all are here today. Of course, we're grateful for the people watching at home. Miss Una, thank you um for being here. As well, thank you to the Florence Exchange Club and all that you do for our community and um hosting this event. Um this is absolutely amazing. Um having the students here today, getting to interact with them. We appreciate that. And and like Mr. Spence said, our city employees, thank you guys so much for what you do. You make our jobs so much easier. And Elizabeth, we appreciate you, Kathy and Sydney. um so much because without you guys we would be lost and I do appreciate that and all the hard work um that you put into this for us. On Saturday at 8:00 district 6 we will be meeting at 5401 Starky Drive at the municipal complex which is also known as the street department. Anybody that wants to come and help I don't doesn't matter if you want to come for an hour two hours help us clean up. We need some volunteers. Uh please reach out to me. I'd love to know that you're coming so that we have the um supplies available. If not, please show up. We would love to have you come help. You don't have to help the whole entire four hours, but anything that you can give um would be greatly appreciated. And again, thank you all for being here today.

Thank you, Miss King, Mr. Hendricks.

I just love student government day. U Thank y'all so much for being here. Um Where are my shows? Christian group that met with me over here. Got I think my Florence group. You guys are in the middle back there. Um I participated uh in in student government day when I was in high school. Um not quite as old as I look. Um actually I am. But back then it was a little different. We all got to we had elections and you spent the entire day performing the job that you were elected to do and that left such an impression on me. I've never forgotten how much I enjoyed that day and how much I learned about our city. We were much smaller back then with their school system so we had to go to this format and I love what we do now and I really love getting the feedback from you on what you need from this city. Um, your voice is important and I love the fact that we had a student stand up today and speak. Thank you so much for doing that. Um, the uh I'd like to thank this council for the unanimous vote on the Hotel Wilson today that's in my district. It's an important part of economic development downtown. Uh, I look forward for great things to come from that. Uh, also want to remind about the citywide cleanup. Uh, I'll be meeting here at the Coliseum on Saturday morning. I invite everyone from District 2 to join me. And Rachel, I am so excited about it that I came last Saturday morning at 8:00 and hung out for a little bit and and thought, you know, let me and it was on my calendar, but it was in blue, not orange. So, I'll be back this Saturday. But anyway, we had a good time. Um, and I want to end with reminding everyone that about Kuanas, uh, pancake day. It's

one of my favorite events. Uh, it starts, I think, Friday the 13th, I believe, is the correct day. Um, we'll all be leaving for National League of Cities afterwards, but I want to stay here long enough to at least get a pancake in. U, our president will probably share more about uh, National League of Cities when she speaks. U,, but anyway, thank you all again for being here today. Thank you, Mr. Hendricks. Miss Dixon.

All right. This has been a really exciting time, I think, and I have been extremely impressed with the um microphone broken. [laughter] All right, microphone's broken. Well, hope hopefully Let me do this one. Good idea. All right, there we go. Okay, that's better. Um this has been a really exciting day. Um it's been great to um meet with my groups and I've loved the feedback, the brainstorming, um the discussion. Everybody was, you know, very um involved and it was just really great. So, thank you for being here today and I hope you guys leave inspired somehow. There is a little sto I've told this story before. I'm so sorry for all of you that have heard this story, but it just seems very appropriate today. And I'm going to tell this very quickly about a story I heard several years ago about a church group that needed a piano moved. And this piano was in a place that it only could be moved by human hands. They couldn't bring any equipment to move it. And so they were trying to figure out how they were going to get this piano from one place to the next place. And um they tried everything. And they tried putting all the bigger guys on one side and, you know, kind of rearranging many different ways, many different ways. And they they just could not move this piano. They couldn't figure out. And then one man stood back, looked at it for a minute, looked at this big piano, and said, "Let's all get in, stand close together, and lift where we stand." And that to me has stuck out to me over and over again. And I think that story is appropriate to share today with all of you because you all have the opportunity to lift where you stand. You may not be president of the United States, Austin, but you do have the ability to lift where you stand. And whatever that looks like, I want you to

dig deep inside and and find what that looks like for you and really work in in your community, in your circles, in your social circles, and do your part to lift lift where you stand. Um, I too wanted to talk about the um citywide cleanup. Lift where you stand. Um, I am not going to be having a district-wide or a district centered cleanup because I have something to go to later that day with my family. And I I just I'm hoping that I can squeeze in and get some some stuff done cleaning wise around the city, but I'm not doing something specific. So, I'm going to invite my district three people to um gather together, put yourselves together, or even just go out, take a walk outside, walk up and down your street, pick some some garbage up, whatever you see that needs needs cleaning. I did um ask Rachel what happens if we have a thunderstorm. So, I was just going to tell you that I think the plan was they'll have a a rescheduled day, but was that right? but they're going to in they invite you to still to gather together at some other point. You can still pick up cleaning supplies from them. Um and they will supply everything you need. So just because if it if it gets stormed out now, they're still going to do if it rains uh a little bit, but if it turns into a thunderstorm, you can still do a cleanup just um so I invite you to do that also. And then the big announcement for today is that I am having my district community meeting this Thursday. It's the 5th at 6 o'clock at the Broadway, sorry, location, Royal Avenue Rec Center. 6 o'clock. I would invite um you know, youth and government, come and see what a a county or a community district meeting looks like. I'd love to have you. Um Royal Avenue rec center six o'clock on Thursday.

Thank you, Miss Miss Dixon. my comments, not to rehash everything that said, but I uh concur with them on all of the thank you accolades and uh we just appreciate everything that everybody does. District 1 uh citywide cleanup is also Saturday and so we want to see everyone come out and participate. District 1 is just all over the spectrum. So I want to see people in district one all over the spectrum uh cleaning up our community. Also, uh they'll be meeting at um some will meet here, some will meet at Sher Avenue Church of Christ. That's in the north north Florence area and then some will meet at common ground which is in the west area west area and then of course right here for those in this part of the district. Um also I'll be hosting a hidden treasures of our youth come April the 11th. Age is going to be from 5 to 12. Uh you can sign up now. You can give me a call at 256349-3879. Call me to sign your babies up uh for that. I'm going to keep them for a day, but at 5:' you have to come get them. And um we're going to be teaching etiquette and various of things of our youth that we want to just instill in them. So, please sign your your babies up 5 to 12. You can call me again 256 3493879. I too want to say thank you to all of the youth in government. I've been doing this since 20 um I went in office in 2016. So every year I look so forward to doing this and um I love all you kids but I definitely had the cool ones. Right. Right y'all.

All right now. So um we had a good time and so I just appreciate you always all coming and sharing. Also um Councilman Henry spoke about the National League of Cities. This is a a conference that we go to um annually in effort to learn to get more education so we can come back and share with our constituents. We'll be also meeting with our our senators having conversations with them to share with them our needs and always trying to find funding and funding and more funding. So, we'll be meeting with uh Senator Brick uh Turpville and also um we hope to be with uh Congressman Everhalt uh to be sharing about the needs that we need here in the Scholes area right here in Florence. And so, um I think that's about all. Again, thank you all for coming. We appreciate you all. Yes. Also, um, Councilman Henry's happy to reminded me that our next council meeting is typically going to be on March the 17th. However, that's when we're going to be gone. So, it'll be March the 23rd. It'll be on a Monday.

This time, I think

March the 23rd on a Monday, we'll go back to the regular time. Work session 4 o'clock. Uh, council meeting starts at 5. We'll be back in the auditorium at its original uh location. And that's all I have you all. It's becoming summer. Be mindful of your actions. Watch what you what you do. Hands free. Don't drink and drive. Also, that um this coming Sunday, May the 8th, clocks move forward. That right? Yeah. Spring forward. So, move your clocks up forward so you don't be late for wherever you've got to get to. And um spring will come on May the 20th. So, enjoy the sunshine, get you some vitamin D, and um pick that paper up. Mayor Tyler, do you have anything you want to say? ve very quickly at this is the conclusion of the meeting and if you are with the you're a student with the Florence Exchange Club or one of the city employees who signed up there is box lunches over at the concession stand. So when we dismiss here you'll be able to get your lunch and have a seat and then at 12:15 students you'll begin to engage with some of the city departments. There's some stuff outside some things over pardon me for pointing to my left and your right that you'll be able to engage some of the city employees. [clears throat] Thank you all for coming.

Thank you very much, Miss Una. Again, congratulations and we would like to see you up here when you finish before hit with council mayor before we have to disperse. And um at this time, we'll everybody will stand and we'll have a closing prayer from Councilman Spence.

Let's pray. Father God, we just thank you for this day. We thank you for your many blessings, Father. And we just thank you for your grace and your mercy, Lord Jesus. I just pray uh for this generation, these kids that are here for with us today, Father God, just learning what next steps might look like for them and just to be outspoken and just to speak out and and be a part of our community, Lord Jesus. And I just pray for generations to come, Lord God, as as we go and and we leave our offices or whatever that you know, you just a hedge of protection around them, Lord God, and just just guide them in in every direction, Lord Jesus. We thank you for this day and we just pray that you bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and our bodies to serving you Lord Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen.

Amen.