Regular Council Thursday, August 6, 2020 @ 8:00 PM
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MINUTES Regular Council Thursday, August 6, 2020 @ 8:00 PM PRESENT: Mayor Frank Friedman, Vice-Mayor Marylin Alexander, Councilmember Dennis Ayers, Councilmember Michele Hentz, Councilmember David Sigler, Councilmember Chuck Smith, and Councilmember Leslie Straughan ABSENT: CALL TO ORDER - MAYOR FRIEDMAN Mayor Friedman called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - MAYOR FRIEDMAN Mayor Friedman led the Pledge of Allegiance and read the following statement: The fundamental approach that I and I anticipate City Council embraces in our roles can be summed up in the following statement: I am guided by love and truth and a deep desire to strengthen this city. I want to address a few issues that are circulating. Meeting via ZOOM. There is no intention to omit or prevent anyone from attending our meetings. We first began meeting via Zoom due to recommendations at the state and national level. When I contracted Covid the absolute worst part was the burden that I might infect others, especially family with existing medical conditions. The City staff has approved various rallies and public events and worked diligently to accommodate folks while adhering to the ever-changing recommendations and best practices. We will continue to do so. Why not allow the citizens of Lexington to vote on the cemetery name change? Lexington is a city organized with the City Council as the governing body to set policy and procedure. The City Charter provides The Council with broad authority and changing the name of the cemetery is one such authority. With all decisions the City Council makes, some people like the decision and some do not. I ask that you understand these decisions. Council members serve the public from the goodness of their hearts without expectation of rewards or compensation. They engage in the work of the City out of genuine concern for their neighbors- all their neighbors and I believe especially for those that are or have been marginalized. Intolerance of the name, and intolerance of the name change, does not help the cemetery or our community. I Regular Council Meeting August 6, 2020 Page 1 of 321 invite everyone on Zoom, Facebook live, or reading about this in the Advocate or News Gazette to join me and embrace tolerance. Mayor Friedman also called for a moment of silence for those impacted by the hurricane. CONSIDERATION OF THE AGENDA - MAYOR FRIEDMAN The agenda was approved as presented with the removal of the Consideration of the July 2, 2020 City Council Minutes (6/0). PROCLAMATIONS None. PRESENTATIONS None. PUBLIC HEARINGS • Increasing the Courthouse Security Fee The City is responsible for paying its share of the expenses associated with securing the courthouse, which is protected under state code by the Sheriff of Rockbridge County. Since 2007, the City has authorized the assessment of a fee of $10 for every conviction of a crime or traffic infraction within the City limits. These fees are collected by the Court Clerks’ Offices, sent to the Treasurer for the Rockbridge County, and held by the Treasurer subject to appropriation by the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors to the Sheriff's office for the funding of the courthouse security personnel and, if requested by the Sheriff, equipment and other property used in connection with courthouse security. The collected fees are not part of the Sheriff’s general revenue fund. The General Assembly amended the statute authorizing imposition of these fees to increase the allowable amount of the fee from $10 to $20 per conviction. Rockbridge County has already increased this fee to $20. Councilmember Ayers asked if the amount the City paid last year was an increase from previous years or a steady cost. City Attorney Jenkins said that the security costs increase year to year, but the general amount goes up about 10% every five years. Councilmember Smith asked if the fee is paid by anyone who appears in court or just by those convicted. City Attorney Jenkins explained that it is only paid by those who are convicted. Mayor Friedman opened the public hearing at 8:11 p.m. hearing no public comments, Mayor Friedman closed the public hearing at 8:12 p.m. Moved by Councilmember Chuck Smith, seconded by Councilmember David Sigler, to approve Ordinance 2020-07 amending the Lexington City Code section governing this fee to increase the charge from $10 to $20, in line with the new amount allowed by statute. Carried by the following votes: Ayes: Vice-Mayor Marylin Alexander, Councilmember Dennis Ayers, Councilmember Regular Council Meeting August 6, 2020 Page 2 of 321 Michele Hentz, Councilmember David Sigler, Councilmember Chuck Smith, and Councilmember Leslie Straughan CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES • June 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved unanimously (5/0). Councilmember Smith abstained due to his absence during the June 4, 20200 meeting. • June 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved unanimously (6/0). CITIZENS' REMARKS AND COMMENTS Mayor Friedman opened Citizens' Remarks and Comments at 8:13 p.m. Dawn Johnson – I am against renaming Evergreen cemetery. Furthermore, I am Appalled and Insulted that it was even mentioned by Leslie Straughan. The subject matter was renaming Stonewall Jackson cemetery because of its derogatory and negative history. Please tell me how anyone could perceive anything negative or derogatory from the name Evergreen. My mother lived to be 84 years old. As a teenager and witnessing the first death in our family, I asked my mother how it came to be named Evergreen and what it meant. She told me of the story about the "colored" cemetery being moved and us being displaced in the back area of town. She also shared with us that Evergreen was given that name meaning, Everlasting and Ever Loving. A sacred place for our loved ones. As for choosing that name, the all-white council members and mayor couldn't object to Negros choosing that name! I can backup what Ms. Alexander shared with council and the public. So again, I ask, why did you "especially" feel to include changing our cemetery name? What in that name (Evergreen) do you and others find negative or derogatory? Personally, you need to focus on the task before you - renaming a confederate and racist cemetery. Dawn Johnson 411 N Randolph St. Lexington, VA 24450 Williard Shirkey – Leave the cemetery alone. Do not change the name! I repeat LEAVE IT ALONE PERIOD! James Beck – I am a descendant of a civil war veteran. I am from Georgia my relative fought for North Carolina and all the Southern States and died for them in the war. Y'all need to leave our history alone. You ppl in these city councils and even the mayors of our towns are nothing more than citizens and y'all think y’all have the right to change our street names and Cemetery names without our consent or even asking how the majority feels in your districts. That is wrong and you shouldn't be messing with history anyway. The fact once y’all are done ass kissing and sucking up by changing all of these things y’all give it a second thought just like didn't give them any thought beforehand. It’s a narrative you all are following. Y’all don’t care about these places and Regular Council Meeting August 6, 2020 Page 3 of 321 things. Its all for votes because you think it will help your next elections. When you out of office we gone get ppl who care about the South to change them back to their respected names and put monuments back up. Gary Ruley – Chuck and Frank and all council members Good Morning. I don’t understand all the urgency to Change and remake the world according to City Council and furthermore what’s the reasoning behind all of this…Insanity??? With the changes you make to the cemetery name--Makes no sense and it won’t change one thing period--you folks know that. Why do you walk lockstep with all of this nonsense--I have no clue --other than to be led by your nose and kowtow down to a minority. You were totally disregardful of folks not wanting that to happen. I can’t change your actions-- but I can and will begin to: Change my Banking to outside City--and to follow suit Groceries, Gas, Restaurants,-Investment firm, accounting, insurance, medical and pharmacies, gift shops--etc. and strive to not do any unnecessary business in town whatsoever. A pile of folks I’m pretty sure will follow suit--It may not make any difference--But it's just this is the best way to let u folks know I’m serious about all this nonsense and done trying to get you folks to use common sense. I don’t expect a reply and see no reason for you to do so. I’m aware you presented my letter to council, but it was tossed--I’m done, but I’ll be sure a copy a pile of folks on this. Have a good day--and say what you want but The Lexington I knew has "Gone with the Wind" Just like me-- Dianne L. Hoffman – To Whom It May Concern: I recently visited your beautiful, historic town with a view toward retiring there from Michigan. A friend and I were given a two hour tour of your lovely city by a local realtor, which we thoroughly enjoyed. You have so much to offer! Our last stop was the Stonewall Jackson cemetery where we immediately saw a news video camera in front of his monument.