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220 <br /> <br />COUNCIL CHAMBER - November 7, 1988 <br /> <br /> Council met in regular session on this date with the <br />following members present: Mr. Buck, Rev. Edwards, Mr. Towe, <br />Mr. Vandever, Ms. Waters. <br /> <br />MINUTES <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Vandever, seconded by Mr. Towe, the <br />minutes of the October 12th meeting were unanimously approved <br />as presented. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Vandever, seconded by Mr. Towe, the <br />minutes of the October 17th meeting were unanimously approved <br />as presented. <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br />There were no matters by the public. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: <br /> <br />RESOLUTION <br /> <br />SOUTH AFRICAN DIVESTMENT <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix explained that the resolution before Council <br />would require that the City divest the Retirement Fund of <br />stocks in companies which conduct business in South Africa. <br />Mr. Hendrix stated that $7 million of the total of $17 <br />million in the Retirement Fund is currently invested in <br />stocks. Mr. Hendrix stated that the Retirement Fund's <br />investment counsel has indicated by letter their continued <br />ability to perform successfully with a South Africa free <br />portfolio. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Rev. Wayne Arnason stated that he previously supported <br />only partial divestment but has changed his position because <br />Rev. Sullivan has renounced the Sullivan Principles and he <br />has encountered black South Africans who support total <br />divestment. Rev. Arnason stated that while total divestment <br />may in the short-term bring economic hardship to black South <br />Africans, he was willing to support this in order to bring an <br />end to apartheid. Rev. Arnason stated that he also viewed <br />total divestment as a symbolic statement of City government <br />that a government practicing such a form of discrimination <br />will not be supported or tolerated. <br /> <br /> Mr. Nate Holt, a University of Virginia law student, <br />stated that he worked as a Peace Corp volunteer for three <br />years and witnessed the oppression in South Africa, and urged <br />Council's support for total divestment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck questioned what might occur in South Africa as <br />a result of the withdrawal of American corporations. Mr. <br />Buck stated that American corporations comprised a small <br />percentage of the businesses in South Africa and noted that <br />when American corporations left South Africa they could be <br />replaced with businesses from other nations. <br /> <br /> Mr. H~It responded that the South African government <br />would lose tax revenues and their access to technology would <br />deteriorate. Mr. Holt stated that those nations bringing <br />new businesses into South Africa have not equalled those that <br />have Pulled out and noted that corporations from other <br />countries do not equal those from the United States in their <br />technology. <br /> <br /> Mro Mark Marhoefer of 714 Lyons Avenue and Chairman of <br />the City Republican Party, stated that while he opposes <br />apartheid, he did not think divestment will bring an end to <br />it. Mr. Marhoefer stated that a number of elected black <br />leaders in South Africa oppose total divestment. Mr. <br />Marhoefer stated that he felt the presence of American <br /> <br /> <br />