The Jefferson City Council is set to vote Monday on a resolution that, if passed, would remove the Civil War marker on Moreau Drive.
The Sterling Price marker has become the focus of discussion at recent meetings of the city's Historic Preservation Commission, with some residents speaking in favor of removal and some in favor of leaving the marker in place.
Alternatives such as adding additional historical context to the site have also been pitched.
Eventually, the HPC and the city's Commission on Human Relations both wrote letters to the City Council recommending the marker be removed.
The Sterling Price marker was dedicated in 1933 by the Winnie Davis Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
The marker is a large brown stone on a gray stone base, bearing a plaque that reads: "Deciding against attack, the Confederate Army under Gen. Sterling Price turned from Jefferson City October 7, 1864."
In 1864, Confederate forces, led by Gen. Sterling Price, planned to attack Jefferson City to secure a possible victory and help turn the tide of the war, which at that point was leaning toward the Union, which eventually won.
Supporters of removing the monument have argued it does not represent an accurate or full history of Jefferson City in the Civil War, and some object to its ties to the UDC.
Those who want the marker to stay have said removing it would be erasing history and that the marker doesn't glorify the Confederacy.
The marker is city-owned and is located on city right-of-way, giving the City Council the authority to remove it.
Reasons for removal listed on the resolution include the UDC's ties to the Ku Klux Klan and history of publishing racist propaganda.
This is the first time the Jefferson City Council will discuss the marker. Unlike bills, resolutions can be voted on during the same meeting they are introduced.
If the council votes to approval the marker's removal, the marker will be stored in a city-owned facility, according to the resolution.
Bills pending
The council will also vote on several pending bills Monday.
Two of these bills are being presented by Chief Matt Schofield for the Jefferson City Fire Department.
One would authorize a $54,548 construction contract with GWH Landscape Contracting LLC for a pavement replacement project at Fire Station 5, 1005 Fairgrounds Road.
Another bill would authorize a budget amendment to use leftover funds from Station 2 construction to be used for the Fire Station 4 remodel.
Approximately $348,252 remains unspent from the Station 2 project, and the fire department is requesting to use those funds for Fire Station 4.
The council also will vote on an amendment to the city code that would remove a section requiring helmets be worn by motorcyclists. Missouri lawmakers recently passed legislation that says cities can't enforce helmet laws within their jurisdiction, so the city has to remove this from the code.
Other bills include two more amendments to the city code, reclassification of a personnel position within the Parks Department and rezoning of about 3 acres of land on Route CC.
The council will hold a public hearing on the rezoning bill before voting.
How to participate
Residents may attend the City Council meeting in person but must wear a face mask in compliance with the mayor's emergency proclamation requiring face masks during city meetings. Social distancing within the council chambers is recommended.
For residents wishing to participate without attending the meeting in person, there is a call-in option at 1-404-397-1516 or the option to join the meeting via WebEx with the meeting number 146 208 3736 and password 1234.
The City Council meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers at 320 E. McCarty St.