AGENDA DATE: 9/8/2020
TITLE:
Title
Selection of Offeror to Receive Civil War Memorials
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: To select an offeror or offerors to receive the following monuments or memorials for the veterans of war located on the County-owned portion of Court Square - the statue known as "At Ready", cannons, and the stacked cannonballs.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Kamptner, Walker, Henry, Stewart, Russell, Kilroy
PRESENTER (S): Trevor Henry
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Doug Walker
BACKGROUND: Until July 1, 2020, Virginia Code ? 15.2-1812 made it unlawful for localities to "disturb or interfere with" any war monuments or memorials. "Disturb or interfere with" included removing, damaging, or defacing the monuments or memorials.
Senate Bill 183 and House Bill 1537 (2020) amend Section 15.2-1812, effective July 1, 2020, to authorize a locality to remove, relocate, contextualize, or cover war monuments and memorials from its public property, provided that the locality complies with the procedures required by the new law.
At its July 1, 2020 meeting, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors took an action to advertise a public hearing to receive public comment on the Board of Supervisors' intent to remove, relocate, contextualize, or cover the following monuments or memorials for the veterans of war located on the County-owned portion of Court Square - the statue known as "At Ready", cannons, and the stacked cannonballs.
On August 6, 2020, the Board held a public hearing and adopted a resolution to remove the memorials and initiated an offer period of 30 days for relocation and placement to any museum, historical society, government, or military battlefield.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Engaged Citizens: Successfully engage citizens so that local government reflects their values and aspirations
DISCUSSION: Staff will receive offers through the end of the offer period and provide a recommendation to t...
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