Remarks by Van R. Johnson, II
238 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 5 of 10
- Play at 1:51:58
“You're located in Savannah, or Savannah-ish?”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 1:53:44
“Thank you. Is there a motion to close the hearing?”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 1:53:48
“And probably move to second it. All in favor indicate by saying aye.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 1:54:24
“And probably move the second that the we approve the petition of the Coleman company on behalf of Brookhaven to annex 1.2 3.1 5, 9 acres located 0, 4, I got rules from Chatham County to the city of Savannah. All that they've indicated by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 1:56:25
“is that is that a proper okay so mr. clerk you got that property moved the second it all the family came by saying aye opposed opposed motion passes eight to one thank you very much all right mr. y'all need to be good neighbors neighbors this door I need to be good neighbors You're walking out smiling, I need to be good neighbors. Be good neighbors.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 1:57:18
“PROBABLY MOVED AND SECONDED. ITEM NUMBER 18, AUTHORIZED CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR AMMUNITION FOR THE SAVANNAH POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH GOLD STREET DISTRIBUTORS IN THE AMOUNT OF $210,532.30. ITEM NUMBER 19, AUTHORIZED CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR ERP CLOUD SUITE WITH M4 IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,085,349.50. I am number 20, authorized city manager to execute an annual contract for water treatment services and related equipment maintenance with Ivoqua Water Technologies in the amount not to exceed $150,375. Item number 21, authorized city manager to execute an annual contract with…”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 1:59:06
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 2:00:52
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 2:01:59
“Okay, the clerk needs to take note of that. All right, ladies and gentlemen, that does end our agenda. Is there anything pressing that you just have off your chest right now? Because we do have, we might have, we need to have a small executive session and we have a workshop and a special meeting.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 2:02:36
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 24:49
“Ladies and gentlemen, the American Choir for World Peace. Let's give them a big round of applause. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for starting off our unique meeting in a very, very unique way. We'll see you in two weeks. We'll do it all over again. Let's give them another round of applause. You may be seated for a moment. Mr. Clerk, if you would please call the roll.”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 26:29
“THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I call this meeting of the Savannah City Council to order. Today is June the 25th, 2026. The time is 212 p.m. We want to thank all of you for being with us today in the greatest city on earth, in the greatest country on earth. We are so glad that you're here, not only in our packed council chambers, but also throughout our digital platforms. We say and we believe that Savannah will be a safe, environmentally healthy, and economically thriving community for all. And for us, all means all. Would you please stand as we have the color guard to come in. WE WOULD NOW HAVE OUR…”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 30:42
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 37:20
“Retire the colors. No, not yet. Come over here. Round of applause for the color guard of the Savannah Police, Savannah Fire. And I think if I'm already gonna get in trouble, you can be seated please. We're gonna ask Huxley's family to come up. And friends. And mama. To come and join.”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 38:17
“They're somewhere in the building. Ladies and gentlemen, we love Huxley Scott. And she would have told me as we kind of locate everybody. Yeah, come on. Come on. Come on. And because we love a good surprise, we also believe in giving honor where honor is due. From the Mayor's Office, City of Savannah. whereas Huxley Scott is a native daughter of Savannah, Georgia, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and beloved jazz and blues vocalists ever to grace the stages of Savannah and coastal Georgia, and whereas her extraordinary musical career spans more than five decades, during which…”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 40:30
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 42:49
“If you don't hear her say something, we're going to make you sing again.”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 43:23
“And yes, ma'am, you can sit down. And Huxley's 90-year-old mom is over here looking all cute in her purple. She didn't get the red, white, and blue memo, but you're looking good. And daughters and family, all y'all wave your hands, and we're so glad that you're here. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Let's move through the agenda.”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 44:07
“We adopt the Council agenda for whatever date it was you said June the 25th 20 yes, Sir, all right all the things you by saying aye. Motion passes.”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 44:39
“I move and second that we approve the minutes of the work session, city manager's briefing held on June the 11th, 2026 at 11 a.m. and approval of the minutes for the regular meeting held on June the 11th, 2026 At 2 p.m., you've heard the motion. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. We are now pleased to proclaim to have our members of our 250th Celebration Committee up. Alderman Palumbo, would you join us up here as well? Anybody else here from the committee?”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 45:25
“Whereas on July the 4th, 2026, the United States of America marks the semi-quincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding foundation. And whereas our founders established a nation based on the enduring principles of liberty, equality, unalienable rights, and the pursuit of happiness guided by a vision that has inspired generations and fueled America's legacy of freedom, resilience, and democratic progress. And whereas local communities and grassroots citizens have historically played a foundational role in the great American story,…”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 52:38
“And don't y'all go too far, because we have something else really cool. But thank you all so much. And Alderman Palumbo, thank you for leading this work on my behalf. Thank you very much. We do have a... And I don't know if Tracy Stan is here. Tracy, Johnny, are they here?”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 52:59
“So everyone knows Panhandle Slim. If you don't know him, you have seen his work. And he has, we've commissioned from him two paintings that will reside in City Hall in commemoration of America's 250th. So these are new that he did just for us. If you know him, you know he wouldn't be here even if he could be here. He doesn't like this kind of stuff and he did have a real something to do. So we have his wife here, Tracy, and his son, Johnny. And so I wanted to give you a chance to say hello, and then we're going to unveil these two America 250 offerings. Thank you.”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 54:19
“We have to figure out a way to turn them around so everybody can see them. Maybe you can hold them up and walk them around so everybody can see them. They're really light. They're really light. So you can probably just lift them up. Hold them in the leg with your help. There you go. So let me read them. Turn it around, please. Let me see that right there. Ma'am, let me see it so I can read it. Right here. There we go. This is a strong nation, like a strong person can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation like…”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026
- Play at 1:01:43
“thank you so much we know um when you become a woman of delta sigma theta it is a lifetime commitment uh it will own your life and your pocketbook and your service hours and your free time uh and so what you see represented is just a smidgen of how many members you have three 360. 360 women in our community that serve, serve hard, and serve well. And so we want to congratulate you for being the daughters of the 85, the women of 85 years ago who saw fit to put stakes in the ground here in this community. And we thank you for continuing their legacy of service. We have everyone introduce…”
City Council · Jun 25, 2026