Remarks by Sue Zwahlen
280 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 12
- Play at 6:04
“Right. It having reached the hour of 5.30 p.m., I am calling the September 22nd, 2026 Modesto City Council meeting to order and ask the city clerk to please call the roll.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 6:27
“here. Will everyone please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the invocation from Bill Knoyer Redeemer Church.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 7:43
“Amen. Thank you. Does the city clerk have any announcements?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 8:19
“Thank you. Do any of the council members have any conflicts of interest?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 8:51
“Thank you. Next on the agenda is acknowledgements and presentations. Item one, a proclamation declaring October 2026 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I will read the proclamation. Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors including psychological, sexual, and physical attacks used by one intimate partner against another to gain control in the relationship. In the United States, one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. According to the CDC, 20 Americans experience intimate partner violence every minute. In 2025, more than 40% of…”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 11:43
“All right. Are there any comments from council members? Excuse me, Vice Mayor Williams.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 11:58
“All right. All right. I appreciate you being here this evening. Always. We are making great strides and exponentially decreasing crime and violence in Modesto by enormous amounts and it's really to be commended. The one area that we still need work in is domestic violence. So I'm grateful that we have this opportunity to highlight this and hopefully provide the support that's needed for people in our community. Thank you again for being here this evening and I'll now bring the proclamation down to present it.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 13:57
“Okay. I neglected to ask for the City Attorney's report out on closed session, so I will do that now.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 14:19
“Thank you very much for that and bringing that to my attention. Next is item two, a proclamation declaring October 4th through 10th, 2026, as National Fire Prevention Week. And I will read the proclamation. The city of Modesto is committed to protecting our residents from the risks of fire hazards. The destruction that results from fires is detrimental and debilitating. During Fire Protection Week, let us honor those we have lost and appreciate the diligent efforts of firefighters and first responders who bravely work to protect our city. The City of Modesto's Fire Department and other local…”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 16:58
“Appreciate you. Did you have a comment? In a few words, that's good. All right, appreciate you being here. Are there any council members that have any comments? Council member Scudia Brayton.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 17:51
“Thank you, and I appreciate that this focuses on charging our devices, that we take great care in doing it properly and make sure that we replace any cords that are frayed or could otherwise be a hazard. Do you have any comments on that?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 18:30
“Great. Thank you. I appreciate that insight. Again, thank you for being here, and I'll now bring the proclamation down to present it.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 19:03
“We're going to get a picture. Thanks, Sonia. All right, item three, proclamation declaring stormwater awareness week and imagine a day without water. I will read the proclamation. Water is an essential resource that contributes to the sustainability of our city. It plays a crucial role in the quality of life for our residents, and we acknowledge the significant role it plays in our everyday lives. Stormwater Awareness Week, observed September 21st through the 25th, is an opportunity to learn about stormwater management, environmental protection, and sustainable practices. The 2026 theme is…”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 22:21
“Okay, welcome. Drip and Drop and Sheldon, is it?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 23:09
“Thank you very much. Thank you for being here. Any comments from council members? Vice Mayor Williams.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 23:25
“All right, great. Any other comments? All right, seeing none at this time, thank you for being here this evening. We really appreciate it, and I'll now bring the proclamation down and present it. And if there are any children that would feel comfortable joining us, they're invited. I do want to clarify, are the parents with each of the children here?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 24:20
“Okay, you come up here. Sure, I'll get right behind you. Scoot up this way just a little bit. There we go.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 25:34
“All right, next is item four, proclamation declaring September 26, 2026, as history of Lowrider Day. And I will read the proclamation. Lowriders and the greater car culture are a signature part of Modesto's identity. Lowriders have evolved into a celebration of Chicano heritage, local car culture, and generational unity. The Chicano movement that peaked in the 1970s permanently transformed Modesto as it grew from 36,000 residents in 1960 to over 106,000 residents in 1980 to 220,000 today. Thousands of people participated in lowrider culture and cemented lowriders as an iconic part of…”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 30:45
“You're welcome. Please stay here. Appreciate your comments. Thank you so much. Comments from council members. Vice Mayor Williams.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 31:11
“Thank you. All right. Council Member Scovia Brayton.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 35:29
“All right, thank you for being here this evening. I have one more thing to say. Oh, sure, go ahead.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 35:48
“Great. Thank you for acknowledging them. And I'll now bring the proclamation down. All right. Thank you.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 36:20
“I was going to say, just like yesterday, I was born in 54, so I remember when I was born. Good job.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 37:48
“All right. Excuse me. Next is item five, a proclamation declaring October 1st through 10th as Modesto Perinatal Mental Health Week. I will read the proclamation. Pregnancy and parenthood are oftentimes an experience filled with joy and wonder. It is also a time of big adjustments. You experience changes to your body, new responsibilities as parents, and different routines. You may also be experiencing a pregnancy loss or navigating complex feelings after adoption. It is normal to have overwhelming feelings as a new parent or after pregnancy, and you are not alone. Perimedial mental health…”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 41:44
“We appreciate you being here this evening. Thank you for being here. Are there any comments from council members? Vice Mayor Williams.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026