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To request that the Mayor propose a Fiscal Year 2020-2021 General Fund Budget that provides for a non-departmental appropriation of $5,000 to the Honor the 14 Foundation for the purpose of funding a portion of the start-up costs for the erection of a monument to the 14 Medal of Honor recipients from the United States Colored Troops at the Battle of New Market Heights, and to request that the Chief Administrative Officer cause the City’s Administration to develop and implement a plan to erect the monument upon the donation to the City of the necessary funds collected by the Honor the 14 Foundation.
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WHEREAS, the City’s Monument Avenue Commission recommended in its report entitled “2018 Monument Avenue Commission Report,” that the City provide for a new monument on Monument Avenue honoring the service of the United States Colored Troops and especially the 14 Medal of Honor recipients among the United States Colored Troops who participated in the Battle of New Market Heights; and
WHEREAS, according to its articles of incorporation, the Honor the 14 Foundation was incorporated for the purpose of “making distributions to organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and honoring the 14 African American soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism and victorious leadership at the September 29, 1864 Battle of New Market Heights;” and
WHEREAS, the Council wishes to support the goal of the Honor the 14 Foundation by a $5,000 appropriation for the purposes of covering a portion of the Foundation’s start-up costs for fundraising efforts; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of the Honor the 14 Foundation’s fundraising efforts, the Council anticipates that the funds so collected will be used to cover the costs of the erection of a monument on Monument Avenue honoring the service of the 14 Medal of Honor recipients among the United States Colored Troops who participated in the Battle of New Market Heights; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes it is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Richmond that the Council request that the Mayor propose a General Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021, that provides for a non-departmental appropriation of $5,000 to the Honor the 14 Foundation for the purpose of funding a portion of the start-up costs for the erection of a monument to the 14 Medal of Honor recipients from the United States Colored Troops at the Battle of New Market Heights; and
WHEREAS, the Council also believes it is in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Richmond that the Council request that the Chief Administrative Officer cause the City’s Administration to develop and implement a plan to erect the monument on Monument Avenue honoring the service of the 14 Medal of Honor recipients among the United States Colored Troops who participated in the Battle of New Market Heights upon the donation to the City of the necessary funds collected by the Honor the 14 Foundation;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the Council requests that the Mayor propose a General Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021, that provides for a non-departmental appropriation of $5,000 to the Honor the 14 Foundation for the purpose of funding a portion of the start-up costs for the erection of a monument on Monument Avenue to the 14 Medal of Honor recipients from the United States Colored Troops at the Battle of New Market Heights.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Council requests that the Chief Administrative Officer cause the City’s Administration to develop and implement a plan to erect the monument on Monument Avenue honoring the service of the 14 Medal of Honor recipients among the United States Colored Troops who participated in the Battle of New Market Heights upon the donation to the City of the necessary funds collected by the Honor the 14 Foundation, and that such plan include the following:
1. Criteria for an appropriate site for the monument and selection of the site.
2. Authorization for the Chief Administrative Officer to accept the completed monument and responsibility for its maintenance on behalf of the City.
3. A requirement that approval of the monument design shall be subject to City procedures and final approval by the Council.
4. A requirement that all affected City departments and agencies shall participate in the design, planning, and implementation of the erection of the monument.