CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
               CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



   Agenda Date:           July 20, 2020

   Action Required:       Resolution Adoption

   Staff Contacts:        John Blair, City Attorney

   Presenters:            John Blair, City Attorney

   Title:                 Resolution Supporting the Declaration of Racism as a
                          Public Health Crisis


Background:

Virginia Governor, Ralph S. Northam, is expected to convene a special session of the General
Assembly in August 2020 pursuant to Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia. One
of the topics that the special session is expected to address is law enforcement.

Discussion:

In anticipation of the special session, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) released a
set of its legislative priorities on June 24, 2020.

One of the VLBC’s priorities is to introduce legislation which declares racism a public health
crisis in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The attached Resolution requests the City of Charlottesville’s legislative delegation to support
legislation to declare racism a public health crisis in Virginia.

Budgetary Impact:

None.

Attachments:
Proposed Resolution
                                   RESOLUTION
                             REQUESTING LEGISLATORS
                          SUPPORT DECLARATION OF PUBLIC
                                  HEALTH CRISIS

        WHEREAS, Virginia Governor, Ralph S. Northam, is expected to call a special session
of the Virginia General Assembly in August 2020; and

        WHEREAS, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (hereinafter “VLBC”) released a set
of priorities it plans to pursue during the special session; and

        WHEREAS, one of the VLBC’s priorities for the special session is to declare racism a
public health crisis in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of
Charlottesville, Virginia that it requests that Delegate Sally L. Hudson and Senator R. Creigh
Deeds support legislation at the special session declaring racism a public health crisis in the
Commonwealth of Virginia.