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City of Tukwila <br />Allan Ekberg, Mayor <br />INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Community Services & Safety Committee <br />FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst <br />DATE: July 7, 2020 <br />SUBJECT: Further Recognition of Juneteenth as a Holiday <br />ISSUE <br />On June 15, 2020 the City Council adopted Resolution 1992, commemorating Juneteenth of <br />each year as an annual celebration of African American emancipation. Further, the Council <br />requested a discussion around additional ways to honor the importance of Juneteenth in our <br />community. Staff is offering some suggestions via this memo and invites additional input <br />from the Committee. <br />Education on the Importance of Juneteenth <br />Resolution 1992 includes language around the importance of Juneteenth "as a reminder of <br />our collective history and our responsibility to never stop fighting toward true racial <br />equality." Further, the Councii's final resolution included an amendment to stress the <br />importance of "continued learning and understanding of its impact on community <br />members." While Juneteenth has long been celebrated in Southern states it has not been as <br />widely honored in the Pacific Northwest. After Resolution 1992 was passed the City shared a <br />link and some educational resources on its website, employee newsletter, and Facebook <br />pages. In future years, the City can continue this media campaign as well as build on it via a <br />dedicated page on the City website, a public display in City facilities, sharing information at <br />any city events in June, or other ideas the Council and staff may have. Councilmembers are a <br />valuable resource for information sharing in the community and can also be asked to share <br />information or host discussion groups using their networks. <br />Making Juneteenth a City Holiday <br />Some Councilmembers expressed interest in exploring the possibility of making Juneteenth a <br />paid City holiday. Current holidays are codified in TMC 2.52.030 which could be amended by <br />ordinance. State law allows for local legislative bodies to determine local holiday schedules <br />pursuant to RCW 1.16.050(6) which states, in pertinent part: <br />(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to have the effect of adding or deleting the <br />number of paid holidays provided for in an agreement between employees and <br />employers of political subdivisions of the state or as established by ordinance or <br />resolution of the local government legislative authority. <br />207 <br />