Council - Regular Meeting

Bow with me, pray. Heavenly Father, Lord, at this moment, we call on you for wisdom and guidance and discernment. Father, we want to set aside all personal agendas and egos, Father, and we want to think of others above ourself and others' needs before our own. So we ask for your help and your guidance and your assistance as we make decisions on behalf of this community. And we appeal to you and acknowledge our need and dependence on you. Thank you very much. Father, we love you. Thank you for all you've done. In your name we pray.

Amen. 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. Mr. Williams, if you'll call the roll.

Council Member Hendricks? Here. Council Member Dixon?

Present.

Council Member Bolling?

Here.

Council Member Spence? Here. Council Member King? Council President Simmons? Here. Madam President, five council members are in attendance, and a quorum is present.

Thank you. Before we go any further, I would like to read this. Councilwoman King extends her apologies for not being able to stay for the council meeting tonight, as she had prior family obligation, and she just appreciates everyone's understanding for her absence. OK. At this time, we will get the approval of the agenda. If we could get a motion and a second.

Motion.

Second. Second. Motion by Mr. Bowling, second by Ms. Dixon. All in favor of the motion?

5-0. Okay.

At this time, we'll have a message from Mayor Tyler.

Thank you, Ms. Simmons. I'll be very, very brief today. I just want to offer my personal congratulations to the Florence Girls 8U for winning the Softball World Series last week out at the Sportsplex and would like to offer words of encouragement to, I think it's the eight Florence teams playing in the Cal Ripken World Series this week. If you get a moment, you can run out to the Sportsplex website and check out some of those games. Very proud of how well Florence has been represented in the World Series. That's all I have, Ms. Simmons.

Thank you. OK, do we have any department head reports? Standing committees? I have one standing committee, the finance committee. We met on July the 30th. In attendance was Mayor Tyler, Miss Shayna Balch, Katrina Simmons, the chair of the finance committee, Mr. Hendricks, and Mr. Bowling, and Mr. Sullivan, Tom Sullivan from engineering. The topic was a discussion on sponsorships. The meeting was called to order at 4 PM by Katrina. Katrina stated that the full council had some concerns about sponsorships and how we determine who gets the spending. We all want a fair process for people requesting the money and sponsorships. In addition to the bigger things like Spirit of Freedom, the Veterans Day, there are some sponsorships that vary year to year, like the World Series, as we're in right now, and the softball teams. Most teams get money if they are having to travel for the World Series, etc. The people, organizations who have gotten sponsorships in the past usually come back and ask for the same amount. Katrina asked the question, what are the restrictions, what are the categories, and how do you determine who gets the funding? She wants it to be fair across the board. The city council votes on who gets these sponsorships. Jackie, Mr. Hendrix, and Ms. Simmons pointed out that the account is mainly used for community-wide events like the MLK breakfast, the mayor's luncheons, and et cetera, where the community expects the council to be in attendance. There was much discussion about each council member getting discretionary funds and then having one joint account. Ms. Balch feels like $5,000 is going to be too much per council person, and if we did separate accounts, With this current budget, it would only be about $2,500 per council member based off of what was spent last year. But Ms. Simmons disagreed with that amount. She still suggests that each council person is allotted $5,000 for discretionary funds in their budget. Mr. Hendricks requested that the council should get a year-to-date list of events and the council highlights what they want to see continued annually and then submit it to the finance committee for more detailed discussion as they look further into the general fund as we work to recover from the budget crunch. Ms. Simmons asked, Ms. Balch for a list to go back four years of what's been spent. Mr. Hendricks suggested that we figure out what the baseline of spending is and then move forward from there. Currently right now there is $22,500 in the council budget. The mayor suggests to expel spending unless we absolutely have to. He added that we are not going to make last year's revenue as expected. The finance committee and the full council agree that nonprofits all provide a great service to the community. However, it is not the city's responsibility to fully take care of their funding. They must fundraise and find other ways to offset budget constraints. The committee and the council are monitoring the spending and all these. There will be decreases overall due to the city's budgeting. Mr. Bowling asked for the updated process of application process for appropriation as previously discussed. Ms. Bosch stated that the application process is now online, and the committee agreed to adhere to that process. The committee and the mayor agreed about sticking to the deadline for appropriations and submitting correct financials. Mr. Sullivan of Engineering, October October of last year, Engineering came to the City Council asking to do an appraisal of four properties, three property owners for land out at Grisham Road. Mr. Sullivan stated that we needed this land to be able to get there right away and have everything secured when funding becomes available, we'll be ready to start with the project. Two out of three property owners took the original offer. Grace House came back with a counteroffer. The original offer was $17,074 and came back with a $26,400, which the appraiser approved. Even if the roundabout doesn't happen, this property would be needed for updates in the future of Gresham Road. $25,000 was paid for the appraisal work for the total of $93,345 for all properties. Ms. Simmons asked about funding for the improvements at seven points and how we have money for the project, but now we don't have money, but we make in other purchases. Ms. Simmons asked Ms. Balch to provide a breakdown of spending in District 1-6-2016 Ms. Balch points out that Handy Recreation Center was about $3 million. Ms. Simmons said that was in 2025. It was mentioned that there is $2.5 million earmarked for the College Street Bridge, which is located in Districts 1 and 2. Ms. Balch was asked to provide the committee with the sponsorship allocations from 2022 to current for the Finance Committee to review. Ms. Balch is also going to pull the revenue for the World Series and Regionals. with the Placer AI software. No other discussion until we receive requested material. The meeting was motioned to adjourn, and we adjourned at 4.55 PM. That's all we have on the Finance Committee. Are there any other standing committees? At this time, we do have a public hearing. Ms. Bailey.

Thank you, President Simmons. The public hearing tonight is to hear comments on the rezoning of 5.64 acres at 611 Whitetail Lane from B2 General Business to R2 Single Family Residential Small Lots. And this comes at the request of Colby Gilchrist. This came to the Planning Commission in June and is unanimously recommended to the council. I'll be glad to take any comments from you all at this time or questions. Hearing none, I recommend that we open the public hearing for comment.

Okay, the public hearing is now opened. Do we have anyone to my right that would like to speak for or against? In the middle? To my left. On the public hearing. Okay, Ms. Bailey, there be none.

Okay, I recommend we close the public hearing. Thank you.

Hearing is now closed. Thank you. Okay. At this time, we'll have business from the floor pertaining to items on the consent and the regular agenda with a five-minute time limit. To my right. In the middle. To my left. At this time, you may speak if it's on the consent or the regular agenda with a five-minute time limit. What's on our agenda? You don't have anything on the consent or the regular that you want to speak? Okay, you'll do that at the end. I'll call for you again. Oh, that's okay. That's okay. So anybody want to speak anything on the regular or the consent agenda?

I've never done this before so forgive me if I don't do it the right way but I'm Megan Dye with the University of North Alabama athletic department and we have an item on the agenda tonight for approval about expanding the entertainment district to include Bank Independent Stadium and we just appreciate y'all's consideration on it. Thank you to Councilman Hendrix and Council President Simmons for working with us and helping us put a good plan together but you know we're just super excited about this project and we think this will be a big piece of the puzzle to help bring in the downtown community. You know this is a multi-purpose facility for us and we want to bring in the downtown businesses and help drive business to those corporate partners of ours and and all those organizations so We just appreciate your consideration and hope this will help, you know, drive people to downtown on game days and then allow them to come enjoy the fun at Bank in a Minute Stadium. Thank you very much. And the first game is? I'm sorry? First game? Home game? September 19th, Alcorn State, 6 p.m. Season tickets are still on sale. Shameless plug if anybody wants them.

Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for coming. Okay. If there are no other, Mr. Williams.

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 of the council with no separate discussion. If a separate discussion is desired, that item may be removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda by request.

Thank you. Do I hear a motion to approve the consent agenda?

So moved. Second.

Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Mr. Bolling. All in favor of the motion?

5-0. Motion passes.

Thank you. Bring to agenda.

All right, item 12A is an ordinance to approve the rezoning of 611 Whitetail Lane as requested by Colby Gilchrist, sponsored by Melissa Bailey.

Do we hear a motion for immediate consideration?

Motion. Second.

Motion by Mr. Bowling, second by Mr. Spence. All in favor of the motion?

5-0.

Do we hear a motion for the adoption?

So moved. Second.

Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Mr. Hendricks. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion?

5-0, motion passes. Item 12B is a resolution to purchase property for the roundabout at Gresham Road and Savelle Street, track number 3, William and Judy Cragger, in the amount of $35,342 from fund 196.

Do you hear a motion for immediate consideration?

Motion.

Second.

Motion by Ms. Dixon, second by Mr. Hendricks. All in favor of the motion?

5-0.

Do you hear a motion for the adoption?

Motion.

Don't get a second.

Doesn't.

Didn't have one. Didn't have one.

No second. OK, the motion fails. Item 12C is a resolution for purchasing property for roundabout at Gresham Road in Seville Street, track number one, Premium Properties, LLC, in the amount of $31,603 from fund 196. DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

Do you hear a motion for immediate consideration?

So moved.

Second.

DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD COUNCIL PRESIDENT. Motion by Mr. Hendrix, second by Mr. Bowling. All in favor of the motion?

That vote was 4-1, so it fails. Item 12D is the purchase of property for a roundabout at Gresham Road in Saville Street, track 2, Grace House Incorporated, in the amount of $26,400 from fund 196.

Do you hear a motion for immediate consideration?

So moved.

Second.

Motion by Mr. Hendricks, second by Mr. Bolling. All in favor of the motion?

4-1. Motion fails. Item 12E is a resolution to amend the boundaries of the Arts and Entertainment District to include areas up and to and around the new UNA Stadium sponsored by President Simmons and Councilmember Hendricks.

Do you hear a motion for immediate consideration?

So moved.

Second. All in favor of the motion?

5-0.

Do you hear a motion for the adoption?

So moved.

Second. Any discussion?

I'm sorry, I didn't get the second. Did someone second?

I did.

Oh, thank you.

I'm sorry. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion?

5-0. The motion passes. Item 12F is an ordinance to amend the Code of Florence, Alabama regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages at entertainment and recreation facilities sponsored by Councilmember Hendricks.

Do you hear a motion for immediate consideration?

So moved. Second.

Motion by Mr. Hendricks, second by Mr. Bolling. All in favor of the motion?

5-0.

Do you hear a motion for the adoption?

So moved.

Second. Motion by Mr. Hendricks, second by Ms. Simmons. Any discussion?

I would like to point out that this is an ordinance change, so it will require a majority of the council, not just a simple majority. So it will require four of the five votes tonight. And I confirmed that with Billy prior to the meeting.

OK. All in favor of the motion?

5-0. The motion passes. Item 12F is a contract with Johnson Contractors Clean for preparation and installation of a one-inch overlay on roadway at McFarland RV Campground for the price of $54,619, expense from fund 196.

Do you hear a motion for immediate consideration?

Motion.

Second. Motion by Ms. Dixon, second by Ms. Simmons. All in favor of the motion?

5-0.

You have a motion for the adoption?

So moved. Second.

Motion by Mr. Hendricks, second by Mr. Bolling. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion?

5-0. The motion passes. Item 13A is an alcoholic beverage application for a schedule 140 special events with on-premise liquor, beer, and wine at PCH Hotels and Resort Incorporated doing business as Sky Dog, The Shoals Experience 2026 at 800 Cox Creek Parkway South in Florence to take place on Friday, August 28, through Sunday, August 30.

Do you hear a motion for immediate consideration?

Motion. Second.

Motion by Mr. Bowling, second by Mr. Hendricks. All in favor of the motion?

5-0.

Do you hear a motion for the adoption?

So moved.

Second. Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Ms. Simmons. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion?

5-0. The motion passes.

Thank you.

That's it. All right. At this time, we will have business from the floor. With a five-minute time limit, you can come to the podium, state your name and address. Now, if you want to...

My name is Luann Griffin. I live in the city of Florence. I want to speak about... Ma'am, if you'll also provide your address. Oh, I'm sorry. 739 County Road 274, Florence, Alabama. Again, my name is Luann Griffin. and I want to speak about litter I worked with Kelly Ballantyne that's where I got this lovely vest I would wear it every day because it it says keep Alabama beautiful and that's my goal I spent an hour yesterday picking up litter at Dollar General in Underwood, and I pick up litter daily. It's my passion. The fence, the day that we picked up city litter, the fence by Underwood School, we had it spotless, my husband and I, and now it's terrible again. On Cloverdale Road, I feel like we need pickup trucks to tarp their trucks, or the landfill should refuse to take it, because I have followed many trucks that are untarped, and litter's fallen all over on Cloverdale Road, and I just think it's awful. I would hope that maybe we can make it a county law, to pass where they do not take any pickup trucks that are not tarped, perhaps. I think that would help maybe one of our litter problems. Cloverdale Road's a beautiful road to travel. I travel every day to Cloverdale to get to town and back home, and all I see is the litter. I cannot help it. You know, I would like to see maybe a $500 fine for littering on Cloverdale Road, perhaps, if we can afford it. Maybe that would help. I don't know. Perhaps maybe we can send chain gangs out to pick up litter. It looks great on a resume for them, and it's a community service as well. I called UNA. to see if volunteers would help out with litter. And they said they do other community services, not litter pickup, apparently. I've tried to call several places to help me pick up litter. But anyway, the police needs to enforce the 500 litter fine. I know that they have to see people that litter to give them a citation. Apparently, I was found. I found out. My husband and I help with the citywide pickup with Mayor and Kelly Ballantyne. It's just a great... way to keep our beautiful state clean. I have the green garbage bags in my vehicle at all times, the grabbers, my safety vest I'm very proud to wear that says keep Alabama beautiful. Let's maybe get signs that we can, you know, keep Alabama beautiful, perhaps. I don't know if we can maybe get signs from Amazon, perhaps, and put them around town. I don't know. The downtown business districts did let me put up their help for the citywide pickup, and they were all super nice. They were just like, you know, have at it. You know, I had the tape, and I... hung the you know the uh what we were going to do for the citywide and they were super nice about that um so i think maybe i don't know if somehow we can just put up do not litter signs in businesses i don't know um i just i'm just very passionate about this i have pictures um you know of when i drive to mississippi and tennessee and they're such beautiful states litter free states why isn't our beautiful state litter-free? I don't know. I don't know what the answer is. I don't know. But there's a reason why I don't live in Tennessee, and there's a reason why I don't live in Mississippi, because I love Alabama. I just don't like the litter. It's bad for our wildlife, too, as you all know. You know, the Native Americans once said that when it snows, it purifies our earth, and when it rains, it cleanses our earth. And then they said, please keep our earth clean. And I'll never forget that because I used to go to a lot of pow wows in Wisconsin and, you know, for vacation. And there's a lot of native American history there. And there's a lot of native American history here. And I just hope that someday, you know, we can clean up our beautiful state. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else?

Katie Palmer, 1630 Decatur Avenue. I'm proposing an initiative to enhance the city of Florence by replacing the current green street name signs with white ones featuring black text and the Florence city seal. This modification has the potential to cultivate a greater sense of identity and unity among both residents and visitors. Of course, it is essential to obtain approval from the local public works or traffic engineering departments, as well as ensuring compliance with federal regulations concerning sign dimensions, background color, text size, and reflectivity. To cover the cost, each district or neighborhood could engage in fundraising efforts to cover the associated cost, and I would actively support fundraising initiatives for my own street, or maybe a possibility of a grant. Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Tamara?

hi everyone um i just wanted to echo pretty much what she said about the litter there is a bit of a little problem um i noticed it a lot because of where i'm positioned people stop and probably just throw stuff out and i thought about changes that could happen maybe they could have like um community roads pickups like maybe neighbors can get together and maybe um form days or hours or times that they come together and pick up the trash. Maybe the city can help with maybe I don't know some type of products, but I think they already do that. But that's just a suggestion. And then the bus stops are coming up. School starts a lot for a lot of people tomorrow. And I just want people to be aware to slow down and Don't pass the bus stop signs, of course. You would think that's common, but it's not. A lot of people go through the stop signs during that time, too. Not just the bus stop extended, but the actual stop signs. Trying, I guess, to get to work or school on time. But I just want to try to remind people to slow down. And then the lines on the roads, and even in some of the businesses, they're not that visible. Especially today, I noticed maybe the ones on the Price, whatever that grocery store is, someone turned in, I was going to the left, they turned in on that right side from, what's that road? Wood Avenue. And so if I hadn't have been on that right side, I don't know if they would have turned there or not, but I was on the left, going left, and then there was a right, and they came straight in right there. Odd, isn't it? And I kept pointing, y'all need to go over there. But maybe they can't see the lines, and they should think about maybe painting those lines good. And there's other places where the lines are just hard to see. And then some don't have lines at all. And that's all. Thank you.

because there's a big line there at 2 30 and they should have their four ways on okay because you know i've many a times called right into them not knowing that's a school line i didn't know that you know so

Thank you. Thank you. Anyone in the middle? No? OK. I think that's everybody. At this time, we will have council member reports, starting with Mr. Hendricks.

Thank you very much. Thank you all for attending. And for those that will watch on YouTube, missed a congratulation last time. And I hope I'm not stealing the mayor's thunder in any way. But I want to congratulate. We were talking about the World Series. If you haven't been out there, you need to go visit this week. It was mentioned a little bit, but I want to mention it again for Randy Burns. Randy received the 2026 Lefty Gomez Award for Volunteer of the Year. And they only give one of those out annually. And for him to receive that locally just speaks volumes for the number of hours that he's committed to youth sports. So I just wanted to congratulate Randy one more time. Ms. Griffin? Thank you for participating in our spring cleanup. We all do that. We really, really enjoy it. I wish we could do it more often. But I also want you to know there's some other things that go on. We have some city employees that work with, I assume, they work for David Coons. I assume they fall under sanitation. But they walk certain streets every day. I see them on Savannah Highway, going up Beverly, more of the more visible problem areas that we have. And you're right, I was on a litter board at one point, and pickup trucks are a major problem. The good news is, is most of the litter that they distribute is close to the edge of the road. So it's easy to get to in most places. But I also want to make you aware, are you familiar with Keep the Shoals Beautiful, KTSB? They are they were hosted at the chamber. It's a nonprofit and they are always looking for volunteers. They have programs. They had a trailer at one point which had the recycling bins in it, and they also have organized cleanups. So you may want to reach out to the Chamber of Commerce with that. So, yeah. And the last thing I want to ask is for the public to have just a little more patience with Pine Street. It should be completed before September 19, for certain. But they've got a little bit more to go on that, and we just ask for a little more patience. Thank you.

Thank you. Ms. Dixon? Okay, thank you. I just wanted to echo the awareness of school starting tomorrow. It's exciting times. Kids are out and waiting at school buses, so please be very aware. Traffic's going to get backed up in certain areas. We all kind of know where that is, so be patient as the first week is always kind of a mess around the schools, and then it kind of... So give yourself a little extra time getting where you need to go those first few days. Also, congratulations to our parks and rec swim team. Some of them got to travel down, I think, to Opelika area and participate in the state swim meet there. And there were some great successes there. So congratulations to those that went and to the coaches and the team that worked so hard. also um thank you for thank you for doing your part if everybody would just do a little part then you know we wouldn't have a problem i i have a tendency um i work at the as a coach at florence high school and i will walk around and just pick up garbage there because that's where i'm out walking so thank you for doing that and um i hope in my district i plan i don't hope i plan on having you know community cleanups and as a matter of fact you can actually organize one people can just organize a community cleanup and they can contact our sanitation department and they have what you're talking about the vest the the grabbers and bags and everything and you can get a group together and just say, hey, we're all going to meet at such and such a place and we're going to walk these roads. So that's something that everybody in the community can jump on board. But thank you for doing that. And I think that's all. I'm excited about our World Series going on now. I can't wait to go out there and I am appreciative of what took place in our work session today. I think there was a lot of explanation that needed to go out to the public and so I'm appreciative that we got some information that I felt like was maybe missed and working on that transparency to the public.

Thank you. Mr. Bowling?

Thank you, Ms. Simmons. I want to thank everybody for being here tonight and everybody that's going to be watching online. Ms. Palmer and I had a good conversation yesterday about street signs. And I'm glad you came with your proposal. And I like your idea. I think it'd be great if that's something we can do. I think it would make it look a lot cleaner. instead of just the green signs. But I hope that's something that we can look into in the future. And I would also like to comment on the World Series. You know, having the softball and baseball World Series here in Florence for two weeks, it's just amazing to see all the kids running around, all the people from out of town, out of the country, coming into Florence, Alabama, spending a week here with us. And, you know, I think somebody was – I believe it was Miss Dixon talking about she saw down the road some dad staying in an Airbnb out there early morning working with this kid. You know, we take sports serious. But it's really good to see they've done a fantastic job the last two weeks with the opening ceremonies. organizing everything. I know Randy Burns has done a great job. I want to mention another name, David Dolan. He's basically Randy's right hand man and David has done so much. Bless his heart. Last night at the opening ceremonies, he looked like he about had it and he still had another week to go. But they do an amazing job and it was really good to be there last night and watch the fireworks. Really enjoyed that. And school starting back, like a few of them has already said, it's going to be good to see, you know, kids back at school. Summer's over. But, yes. But be very mindful of our school buses and our kids. We have had an issue at the end of the school year last year, so tomorrow morning I will be posted up at a spot, some traffic issues in District 4 trying to get to Florence High School. So I'm going to just check and see. if we've been able to work that out or not and maybe come up with a solution. But yes, be mindful of the buses and the kids running around. So that's all I have, Ms. Simmons.

Thank you. Mr. Prince. Good evening.

Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight and for those who are watching via YouTube. We appreciate you being a part and listening in and seeing what our city is doing. And thank you to our dedicated city employees for what they do day in and day out for our city. I'd also like to congratulate the 12 youth girls in the 26th Babe Ruth Softball World Series. They were from Florence, so that's kudos to them. And celebrating, like everyone said, what's happening now at the Sportsplex and just wishing everyone best of luck and the teams that have come and where they've come from. So that puts a stamp on our community and letting people see what we're about around here. um and i actually want to welcome them but want to remind everybody of first fridays the theme is florence city schools and it's back to school so you know come down and visit us at our booth we'll be down there on the main street and just come by and talk with us. But Ms. Griffin, I would like to thank you for, that is my district you were talking about on Cloverdale. Appreciate that. And I will tell you, very active in watching that, watching the signs and everything as we had posted before. but i will guarantee you that this fall or soon we will have a cleanup in district five and would love for you to be a part again like mr dixon said organize the disappointment i will say this is people coming out of their homes and helping us coming out into our community and making sure because if we can own it is if i walk by a piece of paper whether i'm on the street or walking down the sidewalk if i own it and pick it up As a citizen here, that's really what we should do, every one of us. But I want to encourage that, just like we do in our jobs and everything every day. But thank you. Thank you to you and your husband. And if there's anything I can do, please reach out to me. I'll be glad to sit down with you and talk with you about it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Spence. My comments is thanks to everyone for being here on this evening, those who are watching via YouTube. Congratulations to all of the kids that will be going back to school on tomorrow. We pray that they will have a blessed and a safe year. Everybody do their part and look out for our children, whether you birthed them or not. They're still our children as a community, so watch out. for our kids as they start their school year. We want them to have a prosperous and a bright future and a safe school year. It was a great opening ceremony as it has already been said. Congratulations to everybody. It was a beautiful night out there last night. We want to congratulate all of our kids and welcome all of our visitors. They're from, as someone has already stated, they're just from all over. And so I was in just an awe last night to hear all of the places that all of the visitors was from to our beautiful city. Also, and just to echo the cleanups, we have been having them. That's a resident in District 1. We have been having them there. And so the next one that we have will be in the fall when it gets a little cooler. I expect to see you out there with your gravel and vests, you and your little boy. You hadn't been, so I'm going to be looking for you since you got up here and stood and talked. So all right, got you down. Also want to commend Mr. Sullivan, the street department, the water department, all of them that are out there on Mobile Street that is fixing the massive hole that we have right now in the street. So I want to say thank you. So much to them, those who are listening. Please be mindful of that. If they haven't closed it back up, just be safety cautions. They are actively working on it. If they don't get it complete tonight, they'll certainly be back first thing in the morning to do that. And I think with no further ado, Mary, do you have any closing remarks? Okay. If not, if everybody will stand and Ms. Dixon is going to pray us out.

Our Father in heaven, we are thankful for this time that we've been able to discuss the needs of the city and the concerns of the citizens that live within the city and ask that we may always be mindful of those that we serve and that as a community we can come together to beautify this area, to come together as a community to uplift and make this place even better and more beautiful and come together as one community. And we're thankful for the things that transpired today and ask that you will be with us as we go about out into our busy lives, that we may be mindful of those that are around us where we can uplift and help and give aid to those in need. And we ask thee that you will be with us always to have your love with us. And we are thankful for your love and for all that you share with us. And we say this in Jesus' name. Amen.