the time is still 730 and I would like to call to order the meeting of the Ingridville City Council. We are still in the same place and all members are still present. Item three is approval of the final agenda members. Do we have motion on the final agenda? So moved. Second. Madam Clerk, the roll, please. Council Member Bouders. Aye. Council member Carr. Aye. Council member Priforce. Aye. Place Mayor Moira. Aye. And Mayor Welch. Aye. I and I'm for its X partake communications members who any of you have any X partake communications to report for this agenda. I'm sorry. So you're hearing none. Item five is special orders of the day. And I just have one special order of the day, which is the Proclamation of the City Council of the City of Irmrieville and recognition of the contributions made by John Bowders during his term on the Irmrieville City Council. Whereas on June 16, 2015, the City Council appointed John Bouders to the Inriville Planning Commission. And whereas during John's term on the Planning Commission, he had an active role in deliberations on a number of major development projects that were approved, including marketplace sites and the Antonoval, the Navy site residential project and whereas John was elected the City Council November 2016 and had to resign from the planning commission and whereas on December 8th 2016 the planning commission presented John with a fort telling resolution stating John has consistently demonstrated an abiding dedication to the well-being of the Emeryville community with his insightful intelligence and his big heart resulting in a record of thoughtful and principal votes during his tenure as a planning commissioner. His keen eye and strong instincts for the truth and his bow ties have provided the commission with a well-roomed perspective for decisions that are fair, progressive, and productive. We anticipate that he will bring the same qualities to the City Council and so expand the City's horizon for success. And whereas John provided outstanding leadership and guidance over the past eight years on the City Council, becoming a key figure in the community, and whereas John has made several contributions to improving the quality of life for all Bay Area residents by serving on regional boards including eight years on the Alameda County Transportation Commission where he championed the county's first ever racial and equity action plan and the creation of the Countywide Bike Waste Plan six years on the Bay Area Air Quality Management District where he successfully championed the adoption of rule 65, rule six-5. One of the most stringent refinery emissions reduction standards in the nation, and eight years on the Alameda County Healthy Homes JPA where he presided as board chair his entire tenure, and whereas John Chair at the Budget and Governance Committee for eight years and served on other council committees including Transportation committee public safety committee and sustainability committee and whereas John's relentless work on ballot measures for the city council included included Included introducing and championing measure C in 2018 the $50 million affordable housing bond and measure O in 2022 the federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal federal of the state's health and health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health health care and health consistently to protect the environment, including introducing the lead safety ordinance in 2017, the smoking pollution control ordinance in 2018, the bird safe design guidelines in 2019, the pollinator protection ordinance in 2024, and the urban tree planting and wildfire programs in 2024, as well as other amendments to planning regulations that significantly reduce autocentric uses and put limits on noise pollution. And whereas John is nationally recognized as America's bike mayor and named as one of the 50 most influential Americans on cycling in 2023. And whereas John introduced the 40th Street Multimoldo Safety Project to turn 40th and Shem on streets into complete streets with the vision for a citywide mobility choice and safety and negotiate the inclusion of diversers, curb height bike lanes and other traffic calming investments with private sector partners on bicycle priority routes including the Emory Yards project, Emory Station Overland and public market in Reville and whereas John played a pivotal role in establishing a Sherwin Avenue community garden, a project that fosters community spirit and sustainability and helps rehabilitate or add numerous other park and open space projects including Pelladue Park, Christie Park, June Park, Airmey Point and the Devon Park playground and whereas John has worked tirelessly on behalf of residents of Emeryville, on practical, effective quality of life improvements, including simple bus stop seating and the Quiet Zone Train Crossing initiative. We can all sleep better at night knowing he is out there looking out for us. And also thanks to those who silenced the train horns. John, who wears John, who may physically be allergic to cars, as forever changed the streetscape of the city by advocating for safe and abundant bike and pedestrian pathways, making Inriville an award-winning model for livability regionally and nationally, and wears John treats all staff members with respect and dignity, ensuring that everyone from part-time staff to full-time and residents alike feel valued and included. And whereas John's two dogs, Reina and Sir Nugget will forever be welcome at City Hall for treats, pets and love, and John can come too. And whereas through his efforts and many hours involved in community engagement events like Earth Day and Animal Shore Line cleanup events. Then you'll back to school drive at the USD. Artending at the annual In-Reville Celebration of Arts, a willing donkey at the Harvest Festival Dunk Tank and many other events for organizations to numerous solicitor. John has significantly contributed to making In-Reville the community a better place for all now therefore it be resolved by the City Council the City of In-Reville that John Bouters is honored and appreciated for as many contributions during his service as a council member at the City of In-Reville proclaimed by the mayor of the City Council the City of In-Reville at a regular meeting help to say December 10th, 2024. Congratulations. Applause. If you weren't here before, I would like to invite members of the public to make comments to our departmenting council member if they feel so motivated to. Yes, please. For two minutes, Madam Clerk. This is for you. Well, I timed this for three minutes, so I'm gonna have to talk real fast and cut out a bunch of what I was gonna say. Good evening, Mayor Welch and members of the City Council. My name is Charlie Bryant. The last time I stood at this podium was about a year and a half ago when I was here to receive a proclamation from then Mayor John Bouders on the occasion of my retirement from the City of Emeryville for 23 years as your planning director. So now is a little row reversal tonight where I'm here to join you in honoring council member Bouters on the occasion of his retirement from the city council. I first became aware of John Bouters when I walked into the Assistant City Attorney's Office, a Michael Gina about 10 years ago and saw this big dog lying on the floor. I said, what is this dog Michael, are we allowed to bring our pets to work now? And he said, no, no, I'm just babysitting for a friend of mine, a lawyer named John Bouders. You'll probably hear more about him in the future. And sure enough, he ran for city council in 2014. And as you know, he lost that that election by less than 200 votes, but then he went on, he was appointed to the planning commission and then he went on to get elected to the council in 2016 getting more votes than any other candidate. Recently, he unfortunately lost his bid to be a county supervisor and that margin was 425 votes out of over 140,000 cast, which was less than 3, 10 of 1%. Very disappointing, unfortunately, a miss is as good as a mile. So I'm sure John will be back on his feet and doing some other kind of public service very soon. It was my pleasure to serve as staff to both the Planning Commission and the Council during John's tenure on both. I did get to read his resolution as I'm sure he remembers at the Planning Commission. So I can feel for you Mayor Welch in what you just had to go through because I had to go through the same thing about eight years ago. But I just wanna wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors, John. I'm sure they will be wonderful and we all look forward to finding out what's next for you. Thank you. Any other members of the public wishing to comment? I can't resist. I'm Fran Crutel, I serve on the Budget Advisory Committee. And I want to attest to the prodigious memory that John Battery has for every committee meeting and every packet of information. And the fact that when you say something at a meeting and John is there you better know what you're talking about. So thank you for your diligent attention to the business of our city and we certainly all wish you well. Thank you for any of their members of the public or staff wishing to come and make comment can do so now. Thank you, Mary and councilmembers, Rebecca Sermanno, Community Services Director. And we're just here to extend our deepest gratitude to John for everything you've done. and she made me stress and started seven o'clock this morning. John, thank you so much for helping us protect Emoryville's youngest citizens. I just want to say thank you, your presence on this council and in the city and the way you advocated for us helps us advocate for ourselves. So I want to say thank you. Hello. Okay, so I'm gonna say two things because I'm really happy, so one, my time working at the city will be six months, six years next month. I appreciate you building bridges instead of being divisive. I appreciate you listening and supporting people even though they might not agree with you. I appreciate you being a really great role model in public spaces. When I think about the youth I get to serve every day, I think that you are a get to serve every day, I think that you are a really great example of a public servant and I appreciate that you're always willing to support the things that we do you show up. You're there, you're positive, we see you and it's really great to have worked with you this whole time. And I think your legacy is really great. And I hope that I see you still. Saturday morning. Tonight. Are those items that you would like to present to the council member? Hi. Yes. Thank you. Any other member of the public? Well, Charlie's going to be up there. Thank you Mayor Chad Smalley Community Development Director. I just want to say thank you for working with us for all these years. My entire tenure with Emoryville you've been a leader during that time. I've been here about eight years. I appreciate the work you put in and the thoughtfulness, the strategic thinking and of all those accolades and all of those different things that you've touched, you've really put a fingerprint on the city, but one that didn't get mentioned that is just a small example, but it had huge impact was the interceding that you did to help us close the Amtrak station property transfers. That transaction closed on the 25th of November thanks to your intercedents in helping with breaking that loose something we've been working on since 2018. So I want to say thank you personally for helping us get that done because I was really tired of working on it. I wish you all the luck and I can't wait to see what you do next. Thanks. Thank you. Public Works Director Muhammad Alloy City of Emreville. I really want to express my appreciation to you for your clarity on your policy positions and your courage on those positions. It really has been energizing to work with those policy positions and what's particularly noteworthy is your deep understanding of both the implicit and explicit mechanisms and resources needed to bring those policies to life. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. Oh, there's no other members of propaganda and about how great Mr. Bowders is. But at first I'd like to thank Council Member Price for doing all the work that you did to help stop Mr. Bowders, John Bowders from becoming our county supervisor representative. But I thank you for that. You did the people of Emeryville at great service, Mr. Price did. Now, onto the truth. So the truth wasn't spoken here. It was just, it was propaganda. So again, Mr. Bouders, during his time on the council said no to our minimum wage ordinance. He rolled it back, the minimum wage. No, it's true. I've minimum wage. No, it's true. I've got some coughing, but it's true. He said no to rent control and rent stabilization. He said no to local governance over housing policy. And he said, yes, the corporate control of our housing policy. He said no to an ethics commission. He said no to a balanced budget. And he put us $1.8 million in the hole this year. He said no to parks. No new parks, not until we get enough housing and he didn't tell us how much housing that is. He said yes to the Oni Tower, the Oni Project, 700 foot tower, and the only reason why we didn't get is because the developer decided not to do it. But the Oni Tower involved saying no to our tower separation ordinance and no to our unit family, friendly unit mixed ordinance. So as Mr. Bouders led the drive to say no to cancel that, he said no to a Gaza cease fire and yes to a Ukraine support resolution. And he said no to Emory Vols, the people of Emory Vols, choice getting to be mayor, no more mayor rotation so that the people's choice doesn't ever get to be mayor if he's unpopular with Mr. Bouders. So that's a terrible legacy. We didn't hear that from the resolution that the mayor just stated. All we heard was a bunch of Pablo. So that's the truth. Cool, thanks for your comment. Hi. Hi. Diane Martinez, Good evening Council and community members. I timed this for three minutes too. So I'm going to have to talk a little bit fast. Tonight as we marked on batter's final city council meeting, I want to take a moment to honor and celebrate his exceptional contributions to Emery Bell and our broader region. John is without a doubt the most effective and driven public servant I have ever met. His dedication goes far beyond the dius. He spends countless hours outside of public meetings, collaborating with city staff, regional partners and community members to make Emeryville and the Bay Area a better place. John has worked tirelessly, both locally and regionally to elevate the voices of women of Area, a better place. John has worked tirelessly, both locally and regionally to elevate the voices of women of color, including my own. His efforts have amplified under representative perspectives and insured they are woven into the fabric of our policies. He has been an invaluable thought partner in shaping critical policies around housing, homelessness, and tenant protections, issues that deeply affect our community. His impact is visible in our city's infrastructure. Thanks to John's leadership, Emeryville has seen measurable progress in expanding protected bikeways and enhancing pedestrian safety. John also got counsel on board with prioritizing and funding the completion of the South, Brave Front Bridge. Plans for this bridge had been on the books for years, but they languished under until his visionary leadership. John was also a key player in the community team that negotiated the benefits package and the development of what is now known as the Emory. His leadership helped envision and create a vibrant new neighborhood center around Huchin Park, offering both a community gathering space and a symbol of inclusiveness. Beyond Emeryville, John's leadership roles at ACTC and back mid have made a lasting regional impact. Through these roles, he steered millions of dollars to improve transit access and air quality for all Alameda County residents, as well as almost 8 million people represented by Beckman. His vision and advocacy have left John, a tangible legacy for both our city and the Bay Area. And I had more to say, but I just wanna say I love you. You're one of my best friends and we are all better for you being here. Thank you. Thank you, Diane. Applause. Well, hi again, Lori Drossy, former Berkeley City Council member, Vice Mayor April. This is small potatoes, the public comment in Emoryville compared to Berkeley. It's the most I've ever spoken at, I'm meeting, I might just make this a habit. But one thing I will say is you can gauge your effectiveness often by how well your staff loves you, right? You all set the policy. These are the very important people who implement the policy. And I was just texting now with our current city manager, Paul Boone Hagen, he sends his regards and congratulates you for your service. And I was remiss in forgetting to say that current mayor, Adina Ishi, council members, Rashi Kessirwani, former council member, Susan Wen graph, council member Terry Tapplin, council member Mark Humbert, sure I'm forgetting some, but they all texted me right at this moment to say, please give my regards for your exemplary service. And then just because I'm just your, your, your, Gadfly here at the Emoryville City Council meeting, I thought I would talk about some more of your commitments to the people of Emoryville. Emoryville has the highest minimum wage in the state, um, that is a huge accomplishment. Under your leadership, Emoryville paid sick leave requirements, um, at 72 hours minimum for large businesses and 48 hours minimum for small businesses. Uh, you also helped implement the predictive scheduling ordinance. This is one of many things you've done for working families in addition to being an affordable housing advocate, recognized throughout the state. But last, I'd just like to leave you all with one thing that I think you fully understand and that your commitment has been so incredible and so deep. And people only reign on your parade because they're jealous of your son and tired of their shade. So thank you so much for your service. Any other member of the public or staff? I'm going to go to the next slide. It's a problem when you go last after all these great eloquent speakers. I felt it was really important to come and say a few words on behalf of John Bounders. I've worked in city government for 37 years. I've worked for the city of Palo Alto for 13 years. I've worked for the city of Palo Alto for 13 years. I've worked for the city of Belmont, East Palo Alto, town of Fairfax, city of Saosolito, and Enriville now twice. There is no council member like you. In the 37 years I've worked in City Government. You are professional, you are engaged, and you are team-oriented. You're a triple threat. You have vision, you know how to listen, and your result driven. Staff appreciation you heard from staff tonight. We had a staff meeting where we invited Council Member Valder to join us to really appreciate all that you've done over the years working with staff and we really wanted to spend the time not two minutes three minutes but really spend the time connecting with you and sharing stories really really meaningful staff appreciation is a two a street if they're in that and you have and you heard it tonight. You make working fun. You have a lot of fun with you. You come in, you joke, you have a sense of humor, but you do know how to get stuff done and when all the joking and fun times need to get serious, you help us get serious and focus. Most notable is your genuine, your passionate, and you really care. You served with distinction, kindness, and selflessness. You left your tire tracks, your paw tracks, all over Emeryville, and beyond. On behalf of all the prior city managers that came before me and all the staff that stand besides me. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Hi, I just have to make a comment. When I left the city council in Emoryville, I became a videographer and started attending B.J. meetings that weren't being recorded. And one of those was the Alameda County Transportation Commission. I saw John in action. He was very effective, worked very well with the colleagues, and got a lot of things done. He lost his first election because I ran the City Council in that election just because I didn't know who he was. Who is this guy that shows up in the city council in that election just because I didn't know who he was. Who is this guy that shows up in the city and then decides to run the city council? I didn't know who he was. So I wasn't going to just let somebody come in here and decide they can be on the city council. So I guess I'm sorry for that, but that's the way it goes. Anyway, thank you, please, sirs, and hopefully I can work with you on these regional issues and we can protect the city of memory. Thank you. Thanks, Dan. I'm Mr. City Attorney. Good evening, Mayor Welch, members of the city council. I just want to echo everyone's sentiments as well. I think a lot's been said already. I've worked with a lot of elected officials, all kinds of different personalities. But I appreciate working with John. He's challenging. He's visionary. And he stays within the legal parameters, which I really appreciate a lot. It's been great working with you. I think I echo everyone that serves as outside council and our assistant city attorney as well. It's been a pleasure working with you and we wish you all the best on your next endeavor, which I'm sure is going to be fantastic. You know the members of the public or staff. Members, I turn to you and offer you the opportunity to comment before we give the floor to council member bounties to address the public one last time. I smell more. We've heard so much said it's it's I definitely want to echo what's been said, but I think out of all of it, what stands out to me the most about you, John. And this has been my experience just watching you over the last eight plus years. More than anything, I appreciate your relentless focus on getting things done. I think it's very common and all too easy to get caught up in the process of how we get how we do things in cities. And I've seen you navigate that process with ease and never losing focus of what is actually important, what the people of the city care about, which is actually seeing the thing come to life, whether it's the quick build, a green way improvements you did during the pandemic that me and my two small boys were able to ride scooters and bikes without fear for cars during this really scary time when it was hard to get even be outside or trying to separate from other people. Seeing what you've done with the quiet train crossing initiative, which you know I emailed the mayor the first day I moved into the city more than 15 years ago. I said why are these trains blasting their horns? And she explained that there's a quiet train initiative and nothing happened for years until you single handedly pushed that through, got all of the signatures needed for regional money, not a dime of Emeryville's money went into that and that was remarkable. Those bus stops that people use and appreciate that came up overnight. Those park toilets, the Portland Lou, the ones that are just kind of in the face of other cities that can't manage to get a toilet place. I feel like with all of these, it just captures your relentless focus on getting things done, focus on the results. And I was thinking more about that and I realized what drives you in this. And it's clear, it's a deep compassion for the people who are going to use these things, whose lives are going to benefit from that. And I think that is just a remarkable quality. And I think it's something that all elected officials should try to emulate. Thank you, John. I have heard so much, John, about you right now that I did not know. I learned about you. The first time I had the contact with you was over the phone when I was running as a candidate. You bothered to spend three hours off your time until 1 p.m. explaining to me how to run a campaign. And I am very grateful for your time and that showed me how dedicated you were in helping people. I really appreciate that even though you told me you were not going to be endorsing me. You were endorsing only one person. And the next thing I heard was Fran Quittell called me and said, oh, John, endorses you. And I told her, no, of course not. He doesn't. He told me he doesn't. And you had sent out an email, I think, to the general public. I thank you for your trust in me at that time for doing that. I appreciated my time on the council with you. I wish you the best of luck. I know that you will do well in whatever you do and you will stay committed to public service. I look forward to seeing you in the community and I hope you remain in more. Thank you so much for your public service. Very much appreciated. We're with the council. Before I go. Talk about going last, Mr. City Manager. I wanted to read a letter from former mayor, Allie Medina, that she sent in. She's not feeling well, but I wanted to read this. Having served with him for six years, I think it's fairly uncontroversial statement to assert that he is one of the most tireless elected officials to ever hit a small city. The man really sleeps is powered by zero caffeine and as far as I can tell, his energy has arrived largely from the satisfaction of doing a good job for others benefit. John was my transit twin with the motto, tell me what we need and I'll get it funded and he delivered. The beautiful bridge that spans the railroad, the plant upgrades to the same Pablo Corrid Pablo corridor quick build upgrades that improved Doyle Street and many other corridors around town he has fought for positions on larger bodies that would enable him to bring our city a disproportionate amount of funding for projects over the past year the landscape of Emoryville is forever altered by his works, improved in such a way to encourage more people as he would say to get outside. His passions extended far beyond bike lanes immediately upon being elected. He drew his background to improve our tennis rights ordinance. When COVID hit, he and I spent late nights meeting deadlines to get residents rent relief the moment the stay at home order hit. I've woken up to many a three a.m. emails from this man. The way John was successful is not that he came with came in with political allies or experience. He was always just more willing to do the work to serve on the committee to read the report, to give detailed feedback. We found allies and support where others would find enemies and frustration by simply showing up and sharing a vision and the willingness to bring everyone forward. His success on these committees meant success for our city and for a cleaner air in the Bay Area, less lead in homes for small children, faster bus times across the Bay Bridge for commuters. I look forward to seeing the next chapter from him and I'm grateful for his work as both a former colleague on behalf of the city. There is also an additional... We receive many notes and I'll read another one. This is from Nicolo Deluca, the vice president of Townsend Public Affairs. To my brosif, it's been an honor and a privilege to work with you over the years, whether it was getting state legislation passed into law, securing critical funding for the city or advocating in Washington, D.C. You have been a fearlessly there for the city. I have learned a lot from you and I am a better person because of you. More than anything, I am grateful for our friendship. Thank you. And so for my comments, one of my favorite memories of John is actually it's a photo and I don't know where you are but you were giving a presentation and the title says you can have nice things and that's John's motto about just how to design communities. So many of us even if we've lived in Irvile for a long time or lived here for a short time, we might have come for a community where it feels like people have to decide, do you have nice things or do you have to deal with this placement? Or does it mean that not everyone gets to share in the nice things? But John has always led with the idea that you don't have to choose. That having nice things should always be the goal and just the decision is just how do we get there? What is the best path forward? And he talks about it in a community development standpoint, but really you can apply it to so many other things in your life. And he and I have some shared experiences. And so when you think about how you live your life, sometimes you don't always feel like you deserve the good things. So I just want to thank you for reminding me that you can always have the good things. And we all deserve to have the good things. So I just want to thank you for reminding me that you can always have the good things. And we all deserve to have the good things. And thank you for everything that you've done for me in this community. And I said I wasn't going to cry, but it's hard now at the end. So just thank you. And I love you. And I know you'll always be here to support the city and the community no matter where you go if you stay here if you leave here. Thank you for breaking the mold when they made elected officials. You are a standard to live up to and I don't think Emoryville or any of us will ever forget you. Just thank you so much. Okay. It is your turn. So, as Charlie may recall, the day I became mayor in 2017, when I was handed the gavel from Scott Donahue, I said that I don't do speeches. The meeting is adjourned. And he came up to me afterwards. He says, it's the best mayor speech I've ever heard. Ha-ha-ha. Ha-ha-ha. So I'm going to do two things. I want to read a poem. And then I just have very brief comments. This poem is written by Douglas Malik in 1922. It's a very well known poem called Good Timber. The tree that never had to fight for sun and sky and air and light, but stood out in an open plain and always got a chair of rain. Never became a forest king, but lived and died a scrubby thing. The man who never had to toil to gain and farm his patch of soil, who never had to win his share of sun and sky and light and air. Never became a manly man, but lived and died as he'd begin. Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger wind, the stronger trees. The further sky, the greater length, the more the storm, the more the strength. By sun and cold, by rain and snow, in trees and men, good timbers grow. Where thickest lies the forest growth, we find the patriarchs of both. And they hold counsel with the stars, whose broken branches show the scars of many wins and much of strife, where this is the common law of life. I want to thank everybody who wrote or commented this evening for your generosity and your kindness and your words. I want to just say several important thank yous. I wanna thank my family. I wanna thank my family, I wanna thank my partner, Aaron. I wanna thank everybody who's been a friend of mine, past or present, who's shown kindness to me, who's encouraged me, who's contributed to what I have tried to share. I want to thank my colleagues past and present Scott Donahue, Diane Martinez, Allie Medina, Christian Pats, and the current members of the City Council. I want to thank you for your commitment in the shared manner to representing the people of this city. I want to thank the staff over the years. You are the little engine that can. This is the mightiest little city in the bay, and it is mighty because of you. The work you do together, the teamwork that you model and exemplify, the way that you show up every day. Kindness is a good virtue, that you model and exemplify the way that you show up every day. Kindness is a good virtue, but action is a deed that people remember. I'm just grateful that whether that's child care for our youngest babies, whether that's planning a future home for a member of the community, whether that's getting a child safely to school or a parent safely home from work, whether that's being the person who takes the call or the email when no one else will, whether that's giving sound advice, even when it's not popular, whether that's being the person who burns 20 minutes of your day telling jokes with me inside City Hall, whether that's showing up for people who call for emergency response. All of you matter and all of you are so integral and important to what you do, what we do here. And anything that has been said this evening about my contributions is only there because you are there. You have helped make all of those things possible. The city lives and breathes because of your work. And then lastly, I just wanna thank the people of Emeryville who trusted me for eight years to be a representative of yours. I hope I have done my best. I'm grateful for your kindness, and I wish all of you the very best. Thank you for your comments. Thank you, Council Member. So item six, public comment for the consent agenda or item sat on the agenda if any member of the public potentially has a comment on any of that they can do so now for two minutes. the city council. The city council is the city council. The city council is the city council. The city council is the city council. The city council is the city council. The city council is the city council. The city council is the city council. The will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. We will be in the next meeting. Council member Carr, I, Council member Prifors, I, Vice Mayor Moira, I, and Mayor Welch. I, so she carries. Motion passes. So you later, friend. All right. Now for the show. We're on to item eight, the ceremonial items. Item 8.1, the installation of elected officials, the administration of the oath of office, to the three newly elected city council members. Are we just doing it? Are we doing all together? One by one. We're going to do it all together, Mayor and Matthew Solomon is going to come up and join you on the dius. Councilmember elect, please come and join us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Madam clerk, do you want us to stand? If you'd like to stand and raise your right hand, please. We have the oath in front of you. You'll just repeat back to me stating your name or I say state your name. So here we go. say state your name. So, here we go. I state your name. Hi. Courtney Welch. Do so solemnly swear or affirm. Do so solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California. That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California. Against all enemies foreign and domestic, that I bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of California and the Constitution of the state of California. That I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. That I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter as a council member for the city of Emryville. That I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I'm about to enter as a council member for the city of Emeryville. I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I'm about to enter as a council member of the city of Emeryville. Thank you council members congratulations. All right. Congratulations member car. I want to thank you for the time being. Congratulations, member car. Members, Solomon, I wanted to give you the floor just to make any comments if you felt the need to. I will also keep my comments brief but congratulations, Mayor Welch and member car. And I just want to say thank you to my family and my friends who are here today and to are watching online. Everyone who supported me throughout this process and I look forward to working with the rest of the council to fill what are very big shoes. So thank you. Thank you, member Solomon. Member of the car, did you have any comments? I thank the City of Emeryville for their trust and confidence in me and reflecting me grateful to serve another term on the council and welcome to our new council member and congratulations to Mayor Wasch for re-election. I just want to echo my gratitude. I will save a couple more comments for item 8.2. The appointment of Mayor and Vice Mayor of the City of Imriville for one year terms expiring December 2025. I just wanna thank one, the City of Imriville, the residents for re-electing me to a full four year term. This past year being able to service mayor has been one of the great honors of my life. And there's obviously been a lot of shifts when it comes to mayors here in the Bay Area. And it has not lost upon me that I am in a very unique position to really feel that I have, what I have described as a collaborative leadership opportunity with my colleagues, with staff, with the community. I have never once even just day one on the council have ever felt alone in this journey. I've never felt as if there was not anyone for me to go to. I've never felt unsupported. I've never felt unheard or un-listened to and frankly put not all mayors get to feel like that. And so I recognize the unique opportunity that it is to just be in service of this community, not just as an elected official, but as a mayor and as a woman, and especially as a black woman. Many black women go to work every day and feel taken advantage of if they feel unheard or disposed of. And I can definitively say I never felt that way here. I have felt seen, I have felt uplifted, I felt supported and that is because of my colleagues and my staff and and my fellow community members and so I just want to thank you all as I'm getting a motion will again. Thank you all for this just beautiful and amazing experience. And I just look forward to it pushing forward and and serving in reveal, moving forward for another four years. One of my biggest supporters has been my vice mayor, David Moira, who is one of the brightest, most astute analytical, forth thinking leaders I have ever had the privilege of working with. And member Carr, who I call my member of the women's caucus here on the City Council, who very much in a similar vein as me came in in the middle of someone else's term and needed to hop right in. You know we swore you in that we voted you in and you got sworn in that moment. It's like all right, we're all going sit down and let's get to voting. And you just jumped right in and just grabbed the bull by the horns and both of you are just amazing leaders, your collaborators, you want the absolute best for Emoryville. And with that being said, it is my great honor to nominate Vice Mayor David Moira to serve as Mayor and Council Member Carter serve as Vice Mayor for terms ending December 2025. And at this time, I will entertain any other nominations or a second on that nomination. I'm happy to have you have any additional comments on the nomination. I just wanted to add one comment mayor Welch I do want to thank you for your leadership and steady hand over this last year and what a challenging year the city's financial situation is challenging to say the least. And we've made a lot of progress on those issues and others under your leadership. And I'm I want to thank you for your kind words. I'm really happy to have you here. I'm really happy to have you here. I'm really happy to have you here. We've made a lot of progress on those issues and others under your leadership. And I want to thank you for your kind words. And if this council wishes it, I would be honored to step into the role of mayor to continue to serve the city. Members, Solomon, did you have a comment? Okay. Any other comments? members, Halliman, did you have a comment? Okay. Any other comments? Well, we've got a nomination that's been second. And so Madam Clerk, roll please. Council member, Priforce. Epstein. Council member Solomon. Aye. Council member Welch. Aye. You know I did that wrong. Council Member Solomon. Aye. Council Member Welch. Aye. You know I did that wrong. You're still the mayor. I'm so sorry. It's fine. Get used to it. Ha ha. Ha ha. Council Member Carr. Aye. Vice Mayor Mora. Aye. And mayor Welch. Aye. Mr. Mayor Madam Madam Vice Mayor, congratulations. Well, we're not changing seats tonight, but I'm going to hand this over to you because you've got your first official duty as mayor, sir. This is the administration of the so item 8.3, the administration of the oath to the mayor and vice mayor. Madam Clerk. Do we read them separately or together? I think we should probably do them separately. Is it all right if I do the vice mayor's first? Yes. All right, thank you. Vice Mayor Carr, I state your name. I do so solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States. I do so solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of California, against all enemies foreign and domestic, that I bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of California, and the Constitution of the State of California, and I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter as vice mayor for the city of Emryville. And I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter as vice mayor for the city of Emryville. Thank you. Congratulations. Mayor Morrow, would you please stand and raise your hand. I state your name. I, David Mora, do so solemnly swear a firm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Do so solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution of the State of California. And the Constitution of the State of California. Against all enemies foreign and domestic. Against all enemies foreign and domestic. That I bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States. That I bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution of the State of California. and the Constitution of the State of California and the Constitution of the State of California. Then I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. Then I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion and then I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter as mayor for the city of Emeryville. And that I will well faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter as mayor for the city of Emeryville. Thank you, Mayor. Congratulations.