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Home My Public Portal About2019_tcmin1101SpecialSPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING November 1, 2019 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 4:00 p.m. Mayor Burk presiding. Council Members Present: Vice Mayor Marty Martinez, Neil Steinberg, Joshua Thiel, and Mayor Kelly Burk. Council Members Absent: Ron Campbell, Thomas Dunn, Suzanne Fox. Staff Present: Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Town Attorney Barbara Notar, Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel, Public Information Officer Betsy Arnett, Human Resources Benefits Administrator Maritza Pinero, Human Resources Analyst Stephanie Young, Finance Buyer Kelly Neff, Finance Accounting Associate III Emily Adams, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager Tara Belote. AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER ITEMS 2. ROLL CALL Council Member Ron Campbell, Council Member Thomas Dunn and Council Member Suzanne Fox absent. 3. MOTION a. Natsburg Proclamation (Sponsors: Mayor Burk, Vice Mayor Martinez, Council Member Steinberg and Council Member Thiel) Vice Mayor Martinez requested a suspension of the Rules for a motion to allow the names of those Council Members absent to be added to the proclamations if they desire and to allow staff to sign on behalf of Council Member Fox. MOTION2019-204 On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Thiel, the following was proposed: To suspend Council's Rules of Procedure to allow for the names of those Council Members absent to be added to the proclamation if they desire and to allow staff to sign on behalf of Council Member Fox. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Vice Mayor Martinez, Steinberg, Thiel and Mayor Burk Nay: None Vote: 4-0-3 (Campbell, Dunn, Fox absent) 1 I Page SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING November 1, 2019 Mayor Burk read the following proclamation: PR 0 CLA TION "Natsburg" WHEREAS, the Washington Nationals baseball team has many strong and loyal Virginia fans; and WHEREAS, the Washington Nationals baseball team with its exciting team players has brought a new excitement and respect for the game of baseball to the Virginia, Maryland and DC area; and WHEREAS, the Washington Nationals persevered and since May 24th finished the regular season with a Major League Baseball best record of 74-38 to finish the regular season 93-69; and WHEREAS, the Washington Nationals having swept the St. Louis Cardinals, advanced to the World Series for the first time in the franchise's history and for the first time in DC baseball since 1933; and WHEREAS, a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 7 on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 secured the World Series Title for the Washington Nationals and delivered the first baseball title for the nation's capital area since Walter Johnson's Senators won their only one in 1924, 95 years ago; and WHEREAS, baseball is more than just a game but is a presence in our community from Tee -ball to Little League to Babe Ruth League and high school teams to the National League champion Washington Nationals. Baseball teaches team work, dedication to the goal, discipline and the ability to get along with and help others. As said by sports columnist Barry Svrluga, "Now that it's done, though, remember not just that they won but how they won. The 2019 Washington Nationals taught us all lessons - about patience and belief, about faith and fortitude, about finding life where none seemed to exist. They are champions because of all of that, even if - right now or next month or next year — it's unfathomable they did it at all." NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Town of Leesburg congratulates the Washington Nationals baseball team on its performance at the 2019 World Series and in recognition of its positive impact to our area hereby proclaims the Town of Leesburg will be renamed "Natsburg" beginning Friday, November 1, 2019 through Sunday, November 3, 2019. PROCLAIMED this 1" day of November, 2019. 2 I Page SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING November 1, 2019 MOTION2019-205 On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Thiel, the following was proposed: I move to approve and present the proclamation ceremoniously declaring the Town of Leesburg "Natsburg" on Friday, November 1, Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3, in celebration of the Washington Nationals' World Series victory. Council Comments: Vice Mayor Martinez said that he could remember when he was a kid on the streets with a baseball broom handle, a tennis ball wrapped in duct tape and playing the World Series in his mind. He said to see the Nationals in the seventh game and Anthony Rendon hitting the home run, Howie Kendrick hitting the home run, and a 21-year old Juan Soto playing the best in the World Series is what people live for to see those World Series victories and their championship. He said they inspire hope and joy in the game. Mr. Martinez said what he took out of this World Series was that here was a group of men who even though get paid for playing baseball truly enjoyed the game and each other and that is what is what being a team member, sportsmanship and playing baseball is all about. He thanked them for bringing back some good memories and bringing forward some better ones. Council Member Thiel said the team comradery was definitely apparent on the field and off the field by all team members. He said in 1960 the Washington Senators were still a strong team but many years later they bring back such a strong vibrant group of individuals that can play with tenacity and heart and passion and it is a joy to see. Winning five games that were elimination games all coming from behind was extraordinary. Mr. Thiel said he is happy as a Council that they can honor the Nationals by calling Leesburg "Natsburg" and would also like to show his baby shark and his shark socks. He thanked everyone for coming and God bless and said, "Go Nats!" Council Member Steinberg echoed the sentiments of his fellow Council Members and to tell the Washington Nationals that game seven of the series was the best baseball game he has ever had the pleasure to witness in his life. He is glad to be at the meeting this afternoon. Mayor Burk said she is excited to be here and is thrilled that Council is doing this proclamation and that they are going the name Leesburg "Natsburg" for the weekend because they have the opportunity to bring two of the best experiences together as one. She said Leesburg which is the best Town in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Nationals who are the best baseball team in the nation for one weekend will become "Natsburg." She said the Washington Nationals team showed all the world how when a group of people work together to support each other, never give up and play their hearts out and play the game fairly are truly champions. She said that is something they can be proud of and call them our home team. Mayor Burk said that while the Nationals are located in DC, they have many, many fans here in Virginia and it is only natural that 3 1 Page SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING November 1, 2019 Leesburg, the best Town in the State of Virginia, offer to share its name with the best baseball team in America. Mayor Burk said let's vote to make Leesburg "Natsburg" for the weekend of November 1 to November 3. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Vice Mayor Martinez, Steinberg, Thiel and Mayor Burk Nay: None Vote: 4-0-3 (Campbell, Dunn, Fox absent) 21. Adjournment On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Steinberg, the meeting was adjourned at 4: 09 p.m. Kelly Bu k, Mauer Town of Leesburg ATTEST: ( Z� Clerk of Council 2019_tcmin 1 10 1 Special 4 I Page