2004-03-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, March 19, 2004 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Media Center, Buford Middle School. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon Meeting with School Board RESO LUTION: Supporting the Biennial State Budget as Proposed by Virginia Senate BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox Buford Middle School - March 19, 2004 Council met in special session on this date with the following membe rs present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. Absent: Mr. Cox. Rev. Alvin Edwards, Chairman of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, said that the Committee supports renaming the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center after Dr. King. Rev. Edwards said the Performing Arts Center serves as a cultural bridge just as Dr. King served as a people bridge. Ms. Cindy Stratton, a member of the Celebration Committee, presented a petition with 896 signatures in support of renami ng the Performing Arts Center after Dr. King. She presented a resolution adopted by the Albemarle Charlottesville NAACP supporting renaming the Center after Dr. King and asked the Council and School Board to take whatever action is necessary to rename the Center. Ms. Linda Bowen, Chair of the School Board, said the item will be put on the next School Board agenda and an opportunity for public comment will be provided. Mr. Lynch said he would like to go on record for supporting the renaming, noting that Council is not able to take formal action at this time. Ms. Richards said she has already signed the petition in support of the renaming and said Council can have its own public hearing on the matter. Mr. Caravati said he thinks both the Council and S chool Board should have public hearings, and said he feels additional steps should be taken to provide for public input. Ms. Julie Gronlund, School Board member, said she supports the proposed process and the resolution. Mr. Bryon Brown, School Board m ember, said he strongly supports the resolution. He said he is saddened, however, that Dr. King will be honored with something so small and said he hopes we can look to other ways to honor him. Dr. Bill Igbani and Ms. Muriel Wiggins, School Board member s, said they support the resolution. Ms. Peggy Van Yahres said she supports the proposal but wants to hear from the public. She said we should try to rename the Center in conjunction with the anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education on May 17. Ms. Wiggins asked for clarification about who makes the decision. Ms. Richards said the building is owned by the School Board and it is the School Board's decision, but Council can adopt a supporting resolution.