HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 23-057 CITY OF LINO LAKES
RESOLUTION NO. 23-57
ESTABLISHING JUNETEENTH AS A RECOGNIZED CITY HOLIDAY
WHEREAS,Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates June 19, 1865 when the
Union Army went to Galveston, TX to announce the emancipation of the last slaves in the
United States and is recognized annually on June 19th; and
WHEREAS, as of June 17, 2021, President Joseph Biden signed the Juneteenth National
Independence Day Act into law, making it a federal legal holiday; and
WHEREAS, Governor Tim Walz signed Senate File 13 amending Minnesota Statute 645.44,
Subdivision 5, Juneteenth as an official state holiday effective August 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, a provision in HF1830, the state and local government omnibus bill, changed the
effective date to June of 2023, requiring that Juneteenth be observed in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 645.44, Subdivision 5, states that no public business shall be
transacted on any holiday, except in cases of necessity and except in cases of public business
transacted by the legislature, nor shall any civil process be served thereon; and
WHEREAS, establishing Juneteenth as an official City holiday requires City Council action;
and
WHEREAS,the City of Lino Lakes wishes to provide Juneteenth as a paid holiday to all
eligible employees for the calendar years of 2023 and 2024;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes as
follows:
1. Effective in 2023, Juneteenth will be added to the list of holidays recognized by the City
of Lino Lakes.
2. Eligible employees of the City of Lino Lakes shall be entitled to holiday pay in 2023 and
2024 in accordance with their terms of employment.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes this 12th day of June 2023.
Rob Ra P erty, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jolleen Chaika, City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM 1N
STAFF ORIGINATOR: Sarah Cotton, City Administrator
MEETING DATE: June 12, 2023
TOPIC: Establishing Juneteenth as a Recognized City Holiday
VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5
INTRODUCTION
The City Council is being asked to consider Resolution No. 23-57, Establishing Juneteenth as a
Recognized City Holiday.
BACKGROUND
June 19 is designated Juneteenth in recognition of the historical pronouncement of the abolition
of slavery on June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been read
publicly for the first time to Union Soldiers who were led by General Gordon Granger in Texas.
The announcement came 2.5 years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation
Proclamation. Juneteenth and emancipation celebrations have been commonplace in Minnesota
since 1889 as a result of community-based grassroots efforts.
A bill to establish Juneteenth as a state-recognized holiday was signed into law by Governor Tim
Walz in February 2023. The new law was set to go into effect on August 1, 2023; however, a
provision contained within the state and local government omnibus bill, changes the effective
date to make the new holiday effective June 19th of this year.
Per Minnesota State Statute, no public business shall be transacted on any holiday, except in
cases of necessity and except in cases of public business transacted by the legislature, nor shall
any civil process be served thereon.
Juneteenth is not yet recognized as an official City holiday, and to do so requires City Council
action.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 23-57, Establishing Juneteenth as a Recognized
City Holiday.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. 23-57