Laserfiche WebLink
7.1.A. - Page 2 <br /> 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - John Seybert, Council Member <br /> 4. INVOCATION - Pastor David Shearin <br /> 5. SPECIAL ORDER(S) OF THE DAY <br /> A. Award/Presentation of the 2013 Ohtli Award to Mayor Alicia C. Aguirre - <br /> Jeffrey Gee, Vice Mayor and Francisco de la Torre, Executive Director of <br /> the Institute for Mexicans Abroad <br /> Vice Mayor Gee introduced this award as one of the highest awards given to someone <br /> of Mexican heritage. Mr. de la Torre presented, in both English and in Spanish, the <br /> award to Mayor Aguirre, speaking about its significance, genesis and how it recognizes <br /> those who help Mexican communities abroad achieve political and social <br /> empowerment. He noted that one-third of residents of Redwood City have Mexican <br /> roots and Mayor Aguirre is the 9th person to be honored with this award in the last <br /> twenty years. <br /> Mayor Aguirre made remarks about how touched she was to receive this honor and <br /> thanked her family, in particular her husband sons, and the Council for this opportunity. <br /> She also thanked the City Manager for his support. <br /> 6. PUBLIC COMMENT <br /> Ernie Schmidt congratulated Mayor Aguirre on receiving the Ohtli Award. He spoke <br /> about its significance for Redwood City and celebrating Latino pride and culture. He <br /> spoke of his pride in Mayor Aguirre being a Latina leader and educator and who is <br /> blazing a path for future leaders and that this award is bigger than the one person <br /> receiving it because it is inspiring to all. <br /> Arnoldo Arreola spoke about Latino involvement in Redwood City and what Mayor <br /> Aguirre has contributed to the Latino community in Redwood City in terms of asking <br /> them to get involved and providing her mentorship. On behalf of the Latino Council of <br /> Redwood City and the community of Redwood City, he thanked the City Council for its <br /> work and leadership. <br /> Pete Liebengood, Mayor Aguirre's husband and representing her family, congratulated <br /> Mayor Aguirre and said she deserved this honor based on all her dedication and hard <br /> work. <br /> Mayor Aguirre spoke about receiving the award and she thanked her family and <br /> members of the community that appeared to support her. She noted that this award is <br /> an honor for Redwood City too. She thanked Mr. de la Torre for presenting her with the <br /> award. On behalf of City Council, Vice Mayor Gee thanked Mayor Aguirre and noted <br /> that Redwood City is special and agreed it is an honor. <br /> Public Comment <br /> Barbara Valley, a resident, commented on what a past speaker, Janet Borgens, said at <br /> the City Council meeting of October 21, 2013 and how the Council reacted. She stated <br /> that those displaced by the fire were disappointed that Council members were not at the <br /> CITY COUNCIL November 4, 2013 <br /> MEETING MINUTES PAGE 2 <br />