AGENDA DATE: 9/2/2020
TITLE:
Title
Civil War Monuments and Memorials
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Amendment to the Resolution to Remove Certain Monuments and Memorials in the County-owned Portion of Court Square Park
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Walker, Henry, Kamptner, Stewart, Kilroy, Russell
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: On August 6, 2020, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing and thereafter adopted a “Resolution to Remove Certain Monuments and Memorials in the County-owned Portion of Court Square Park” (“Resolution”). The Board’s action triggered the 30-day period required by Virginia Code § 15.2-1812 to offer the monuments and memorials (“Memorials”) for relocation and placement to any museum, historical society, government, or military battlefield. The Resolution identified August 7 until September 5 as the 30-day period, and provided how and when interested qualifying entities could submit statements of interest.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission: To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: The Resolution anticipated that the Memorials would be promptly removed from their Court Square location and stored, and that their ultimate disposition would occur at a later Board meeting. However, it is possible that the Board may decide on the disposition of the Memorials very soon after the 30-day offer period ends, and the purpose of the proposed amendments are to facilitate that.
The August 6 Resolution required that statements of interest that were mailed had to be postmarked before September 5, but did not specify a date by which they had to be received. In addition, because September 5 is a Saturday and the County Office Building is not open for business, statements of interest that were hand-delivered or sent by private parcel service had to be received by the County on the first business day after September 5 (September 8). It is possible that the Board could choose to meet to decide the final disposition of the Memorials as early as September 8.
The amended Resolution (Attachment A) would provide needed clarity and finality, and require any statements of interest sent by mail or private parcel service, or are hand-delivered must be received by the County by September 8 and before the Board holds a meeting to decide the disposition of the Memorials. The last paragraph of the amended Resolution acknowledges that the Board may decide the final disposition of the Memorials without first having them stored
BUDGET IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board adopt the Resolution (Attachment A)
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Resolution