Mayor and Council Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
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April 07, 2025 7:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 2 of 9 6. Proclamations and Presentations A. PRC2025-012 Proclamation in Recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Crime Victims' Rights Week Ward 2 Councilmember - Latonia P. Hines Councilmember Latonia P. Hines read and presented the following proclamation: A PROCLAMATION By the Mayor of the City of Smyrna In Recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Whereas, children are our most valuable resource, and they are also our most vulnerable. All of Georgia's children have a right to be safe and an opportunity to thrive, learn and grow in an environment that fosters healthy development; and Whereas, in Federal fiscal year 2021, 3.9 million reports were made to child protective services; and Whereas, childhood trauma can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects throughout an individual's lifetime and impact future generations of their family; and Whereas, child abuse and neglect can be prevented by supporting and strengthening Georgia's families, thus preventing the far-reaching effects of abuse and neglect, and providing the opportunity for children to develop healthy, trusting family bonds, and consequently, building the foundations of communities; and Whereas, effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community- and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families; and Whereas, communities must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families; and we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment; and Whereas, prevention remains the best defense for our children and families; NOW Therefore, I, Derek Norton, Mayor of the City of Smyrna, Georgia, do hereby proclaim April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Smyrna and recognize April 6-12, 2025 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week and urge all citizens to recognize this month by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families and victims of crime. Irene Barton, Cobb Collaborative, explained the pinwheels represent what childhood should be about – a time of whimsy and play. Prevent Child Abuse Georgia is now Positive Childhood Alliance. It is still the same acronym PCA, but it is a shift from surveillance to support. II. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS Public comment during this portion of the Agenda must be limited to matters on the Agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, please sign up with the City Clerk, come to the podium when called by the Mayor, state your name and address for the record and make your remarks. The time allotted for each speaker is as follows: Public Hearing - Five (5) Minutes 7. Community Development Items