2004-11-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Monday, November 15, 2004 AT 6:00 p.m. IN THE Second Floor Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Closed session as provided by Section 2.2-3712 of the Virginia Code BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM - November 15, 2004 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Mr. Lynch, Council voted (Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. Absent for the vote: Ms. Hamilton) to meet in closed session for discussion of the annual performance evaluation of the City Manager, and for discussion and consideration of appointments to City boards as commissions, as provided by Section 2.2-371 i(A)(1) of the Virginia Code. On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Mr. Lynch, Council certified by the following vote (Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None) that to the best of each Council Member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and identified in the motion convening the closed session were heard, discussed or considered in the closed session. COUNCIL CHAMBER- November 15, 2004 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. PUBLIC Ms. Ellen Bass, 1795 Franklin Drive, a professor at the University of Virginia, said she was disappointed that the University does not offer domestic partner benefits, and was told that State law prevented them from being offered. She said she has legal documents drawn up with her partner, but is now concerned about the impact of House Bill 751 on them. She encouraged Council to adopt the resolution supporting a repeal of the ban on same sex civil unions in order to strengthen families and provide protection. Dr. Harold Bare, Pastor of Covenant Church, expressed concerns about the proposed resolution supporting a repeal of the ban on same sex unions. He said there is no justification for the assumption that the law violates constitutional law. He said the resolution exacerbates prejudices. He said there is no research on the statement that the law could result in a loss of tourism and business. He also took exception with the statement in the resolution that those opposing the resolution are not enlightened or educated. Dr. Bare said he would grant $1,000 toward a poll to see if the resolution is democratically supported. Ms. Dyana Mason, Director of Equality Virginia in Richmond, urged Council to support the resolution. She said that the State law is so broadly written that it could make any contracts between those of the same sex vulnerable. She said there is no definition in the law about what is covered. Ms. Claire Kaplan, 104 Diamond Road, Troy, asked Council to vote in favor of the resolution. She said the State law is a vicious piece of legislation and puts families and legal documents at risk. She said that the University has already lost professionals because of the lack of domestic partner benefits.