STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of February 11, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Christopher Roke, Parks and Recreation Director SUBJECT: Juneteenth Event Planning
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council honor Juneteenth on Saturday, June 14, 2025, with a flag-raising ceremony and authorize staff to partner with the Hercules Library to provide a more robust event for the community.
BACKGROUND:
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States on June 17, 2021. The day was officially designated Juneteenth National Independence Day, also known as Jubilee Day and Black Independence Day. Juneteenth has been celebrated on June 19th in various parts of the United States since 1865. In celebration of this historically significant event, the City Council approved raising the Juneteenth Flag at the Hercules Civic Center and has done so for the past 3 years.
In 2022, the Juneteenth flag-raising event was held the Saturday before June 19th at the Hercules Civic Center. In the following years, a short community ceremony was added to include opening remarks, guest speakers, poetry, a vocalist singing the Black National Anthem, and raising the Pan-African Flag. In late 2024, Councilmember Grimsley requested a future agenda item to discuss further enhancing the ceremony portion of the Juneteenth event.
ANALYSIS:
In response to the Council’s request, staff proposes to work with the Hercules Library to create a more robust event to honor the Juneteenth occasion on Saturday, June 14, 2025. In the past, the Hercules Library hosted several events to celebrate Juneteenth, and on the same day, the City hosted a separate flag-raising ceremony. The community has enjoyed the Library’s Juneteenth Storytime, featuring stories of Black joy that honor African American culture and people, special workshops on African American Herbalism, and line dancing with music from local bands. The Hercules Library is amenable to hosting a combined event with the City.
This proposed combined event could include a flag-raising ceremony at the Civic Center before moving into the Library for refreshments, fellowship, a refreshing sound bath to reduce tension and promote healing, and other elements. Incorporating sound baths into Juneteenth celebrations can meaningfully highlight the importance of holistic wellness, self-care, and connection within the African American community and the broader community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with Juneteenth celebrations and initiatives will vary depending on the scope of activities planned. This year, staff recommends that the City Council allocate $200 towards the combined event. The Parks and Recreation Department has sufficient budget available to cover the refreshments costs. Staff resources for event coordination will be absorbed into the City’s operational budget. Should the Council wish to further expand this event in the future, it should consider allocating more funds during the upcoming budget process.