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2 Mr. Chuck Endicott, 2118 Angus Road, Apt. 16, expressed concern about comments made by Mr. Lynch in the Daily Progress comparing Christians to the Taliban. He said the Gospels say marriage is between a man and a woman contrary to what Mr. Lynch said. Mr. Bruce Williamson, 731 Locust Avenue, commended Council for dealing with the same sex civil union issue. He said it is a civil rights issue. He said Christian belief is one of tolerance and love. He said he agreed with Dr. Bare's comments that the reference to enlightened and educated people in the resolution could be taken as insulting and Council might want to take that statement out if it is perceived as a insult. He said the State statute is radical and reactionary. He said repeal of the law does not hurt, threaten or harm marriage between a man and a woman, and urged Council to support the resolution. Ms. Bekah Saxon, 913 Blenheim Avenue, District 11 representative of the Fitz Turner Institute on Civil Rights, said this organization passed a similar resolution. She said the issue is not about marriage or civil unions, but about the right to enter into private contracts, including wills, which could be null and void under this State law. She said the General Assembly should not come into private lives. She said this is not a symbolic act, but a real issue that affects residents of the City, and urged Council to show support of equality and independence for all Virginians by supporting the resolution. Mr. Leroy Morris, 1500 Carlton Avenue, said he thinks there will be more new faces on Council after the next Council election. He said Council has not helped lower income neighborhoods and has only raised taxes. Ms. Anne Coughlin, 580 Massie Road, spoke in favor of the resolution. She said she teaches at the University Law School, and feels that the resolution makes good points. She said the law is constitutionally questionable because it violates the right to privacy. She said it is also a violation of the Equal Protection Law of the 14th Amendment. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, questioned how much the City budget should increase next year. He said CityLink and proposals by the School Superintendent are indications that the City is flush with money. He said by State law if tax assessments rise then the tax rate must be lowered so that the total revenue does not increase by more than 1% unless Council establishes a need to raise taxes. He said past Councils have largely ignored this, and he called on Council to have no more of a 1% increase in the budget. Mr. Jeff Rossman, 1862 Edgewood Lane, parent of a student at Venable Elementary School, expressed concern that on October 21st Mr. Schilling entered Venable School and took a picture of a student mural which included a picture of President Bush with an "X" across it, and, without speaking with students, administrators or parents, sent the photograph to the School Board and demanded that it be taken down. He said the panel was taken down until parents objected and the School administration realized they had erred in taking it down. He said Council should reprimand Mr. Schilling and that he should have a better understanding of the State and Federal Constitutions. He provided a copy of the Bill of Rights for Mr. Schilling. Mr. Stu Armstrong of Piedmont Housing Alliance, introduce PHA employees in the audience, thanked Council for their support, and wished them a happy holiday season. CONSENT AGENDA On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Mr. Lynch, Council approved the following consent agenda items by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling (except that Mr. Schilling voted no on the appropriation repaying the CIDA loan for the amphitheater for reasons previously stated; abstained on the appropriation for the State grant for compressed natural gas school buses until he receives additional information he requested; and no on the procurement ordinance because he did not receive the additional information requested). Noes: None