HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSS 2020-07-13 Item 1C - Discussion - Recognition of JuneteenthCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Community Services & Safety Committee
FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst
DATE: July 7, 2020
SUBJECT: Further Recognition of Juneteenth as a Holiday
ISSUE
On June 15, 2020 the City Council adopted Resolution 1992, commemorating Juneteenth of
each year as an annual celebration of African American emancipation. Further, the Council
requested a discussion around additional ways to honor the importance of Juneteenth in our
community. Staff is offering some suggestions via this memo and invites additional input
from the Committee.
Education on the Importance of Juneteenth
Resolution 1992 includes language around the importance of Juneteenth "as a reminder of
our collective history and our responsibility to never stop fighting toward true racial
equality." Further, the Councii's final resolution included an amendment to stress the
importance of "continued learning and understanding of its impact on community
members." While Juneteenth has long been celebrated in Southern states it has not been as
widely honored in the Pacific Northwest. After Resolution 1992 was passed the City shared a
link and some educational resources on its website, employee newsletter, and Facebook
pages. In future years, the City can continue this media campaign as well as build on it via a
dedicated page on the City website, a public display in City facilities, sharing information at
any city events in June, or other ideas the Council and staff may have. Councilmembers are a
valuable resource for information sharing in the community and can also be asked to share
information or host discussion groups using their networks.
Making Juneteenth a City Holiday
Some Councilmembers expressed interest in exploring the possibility of making Juneteenth a
paid City holiday. Current holidays are codified in TMC 2.52.030 which could be amended by
ordinance. State law allows for local legislative bodies to determine local holiday schedules
pursuant to RCW 1.16.050(6) which states, in pertinent part:
(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to have the effect of adding or deleting the
number of paid holidays provided for in an agreement between employees and
employers of political subdivisions of the state or as established by ordinance or
resolution of the local government legislative authority.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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Many Washington agencies now recognize Juneteenth via proclamation or resolution, but
staff is not aware of any municipalities that have created a paid holiday as of yet. There is an
effort to add Juneteenth as an official holiday forstate workers and staff will monitorthis
effort in the Legislature.
The financial impact of adding an additional City holiday is difficult to determine at this time,
as the holiday would have to be negotiated with each individual bargaining unit, and each
unit has different implications. There could be hard costs associated with the Police and Fire
Departments as those departments collectively cannot take specific days off in the same way
as other City employees. For the other unions there could be soft costs associated with the
loss of those hours, and that is variable across departments and individuals. To reiterate,
adding orsubstituting a paid City holiday would need to be bargained across all labor groups.
If the Council chooses not to pursue Juneteenth as a City holiday at this time, one alternative
could be to create an educational opportunity for staff to be undertaken on or near June 19tn
This could be in the form of a video training, reading assignment, or other opportunity. This
would not necessarily need to be bargained and financial impact would be determined by the
type of educational activity selected.
RECOMMENDATION
This item is presented ford iscussion and staff is seeking Committee feedback on the
information provided and next steps.
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