cil, Maevland oeso.zie4 240-914.5000 ray 2-916897 ‘le aac Ce July 24, 2015 ‘The Honorable Isiah Leggett, County Executive 101 Monroe Street, Second Floor Rockville, Maryland 20850 ‘The Honorable George Leventhal, County Council President +100 Maryland Avenue, Sixth Floor Rockville, Maryland 20850 Dear County Executive Leggett and Council Presidgtt ng The Rockville Mayor and Councit is following the discussion of the Confederate soldier monument located at the Red Brick Courthouse with great interest. Residents in and outside of Rockville have provided a wide range of perspectives on the monument and what it represents, and its presence reflects directly on the character of the City of Rockville. The City of Rockville recognizes that the monument is owned by the County and is located on County property, However, itis located on a historically designated site and its removal is subject to the review and approval of the Rockville Historic District Commission. Should ‘the County wish to remove the monument, we invite it to submit an application to the Rockville Historic District Commission for a Certificate of Approval. ‘The Mayor and Council held a worksession on July 20 to gather input from the community related to possible options for the monument. There was a tremendous turnout, with 55 ‘community members speaking, including several local subject matter experts. The speakers provided thoughtful comments covering a wide range of viewpoints. The City also received over 95 written comments. A common theme that emerged is that the monument should be moved once, and not placed into storage indefinitely. The monument Is solid bronze and weighs 10,700 pounds. Worksession attendees acknowledged that the statue has historical significance and there are lessons to be learned from it. During the worksession and in emails to the Council, speakers suggested relocation of the monument to the Beall-Dawson House, Rockville Cemetery, a museum on Montgomery's role and involvement in the Civil War, the Monocacy Cemetery where Confederate soldiers are buried, or Rockville's Veterans Park. We want to express our appreciation to Council President Leventhal for his sensitivity and for including the City in the stakeholder group, facilitated by County Council staf, that will iscuss this issue on July 27*. We are very pleased to have the opportunity. A staff representative from the City Manager's Office will be present to observe the discussion.County Executive Isiah Leggett County Council President, George Leventhal July 24, 2015 Page2 We also thank County Executive Leggett for his recognition of the City’s interest in this, matter. Rockville looks forward to continuing our strong partnership and collaboration with you on this and other issues of mutual interest. Please contact us if we can be of any assistance as you work through the process of coming to a final decision on the future of the Confederate soldier monument. Sincerely, | Bridget Donnell Newton i Mayor | ce: City of Rockville Councilmembers Montgomery County Councilmembers City Manager, Barbara Matthews | Council Staff, Marlene MichaelsonCity ofReckile 121 Maryland Avenue Tock, Maryland wr rk gor 290-914.8000 ye Dae Neon att Fang ale bond oe ar Mas July 24, 2015 ‘The Honorable Isiah Leggett, County Executive 101 Monroe Street, Second Floor Rockville, Maryland 20850 ‘The Honorable George Leventhal, County Council President 100 Maryland Avenue, Sixth Floor Rockville, Maryland 20850 Dear County crocus east and Council President Leventhal: The Rockville Mayor and Council is following the discussion of the Confederate soldier monument located at the Red Brick Courthouse with great interest. Residents in and outside of Rockville have provided a wide range of perspectives on the monument and what it represents, and its presence reflects directly on the character of the City of Rockville, ‘The City of Rockville recognizes that the monument is owned by the County and is located ‘on County property. However, itis located on a historically designated site and its removal is subject to the review and approval of the Rociville Historic District Commission. Should the County wish to remove the monument, we invite it to submit an application to the Rockville Historic District Commission for a Certificate of Approval, The Mayor and Council held a worksession on July 20 to gather input from the community related to possible options for the monument. There was a tremendous turnout, with 55 community members speaking, Including several local subject matter experts. The speakers provided thoughtful comments covering a wide range of viewpoints. The City also received over 95 written comments. A common theme that emerged is that the monument should be moved once, and not placed into storage indefinitely. The monument solid bronze and weighs 10,700 pounds. Worksession attendees acknowledged that the statue has historical significance and there are lessons to be learned from it. During the worksession and in emails to the Council, speakers suggested relocation of the monument to the Beall-Dawson House, Rockville Cemetery, a museum on Montgomery's, role and involvement in the Civil War, the Monocacy Cemetery where Confederate soldiers are buried, or Rockville's Veterans Park. ‘We want to express our appreciation to Council President Leventhal for his sensitivity and for including the City in the stakeholder group, facilitated by County Council staff, that will discuss this issue on July 27, We are very pleased to have the opportunity. A staff representative from the City Manager's Office will be present to observe the discussion.County Executive Isiah Leggett County Council President, George Leventhal July 24, 2015 Page 2 We also thank County Executive Leggett for his recognition of the City’s interest in this matter. Rockville looks forward to continuing our strong partnership and collaboration with you on this and other issues of mutual interest. Please contact us if we can be of any assistance as you work through the pracess of coming to a final decision on the future of the Confederate soldier monument. Sincerely, Reicleat Bridget Donnell Newton Mayor cc: City of Rodlville Councilmembers Montgomery County Councilmembers City Manager, Barbara Matthews Counci Staff, Marlene Michaelson