Administrative
Report
M.2., File # 23-5646 Meeting Date: 3/21/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING COMMEMORATING JUNETEENTH AS AN
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2303-026, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA COMMEMORATING JUNETEENTH
AS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At the June 21, 2022 Council meeting, a referral was made to staff to prepare an item to discuss the possible adoption of a resolution recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth in the City of Redondo Beach.
BACKGROUND
On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation legally ended slavery in the United States, but the low presence of Union troops and non-compliance with the proclamation prolonged slavery in Texas and in other states. On June 19, 1865, U.S. General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the emancipation of slaves and inform those still enslaved within the borders of the United States that they were free. Juneteenth (short for June Nineteenth) has since become the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday and on September 29, 2022 it became a California state holiday.
At the June 21, 2022 Council meeting, a referral was made to staff to return to Council with an item discussing the possible adoption of a resolution recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth. Staff has prepared the attached Resolution for Council’s consideration of approval.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s Office coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office in the preparation of the Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
APPROVED BY:
M.2., File # 23-5646 Meeting Date: 3/21/2023
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Reso - No. CC-2303-026 Commemorating Juneteenth