City Council Meeting: March 15, 2022 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DECLARING CESAR CHAVEZ DAY
AND JUNETEENTH AS CITY HOLIDAYS
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2021, the City Council presented a Proclamation declaring March 31, 2021, as Cesar Chavez Day in the City of Santa Monica, to commemorate the history of the farm labor movement in the United States and to honor the life and work of Cesar Chavez; and
WHEREAS, on August 18, 2000, the Governor of the State of California signed Senate Bill 984, which provides among other things that March 31st is a paid holiday for State employees, as specified; and
WHEREAS, the City of and County of Los Angeles both observe Cesar Chavez Day as a holiday on the last Monday in March; and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed a Proclamation declaring June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth Day of Observance, which officially recognizes Juneteenth as a federal holiday, to acknowledge and celebrate the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of Black Americans, and to further the commitment to eradicate systemic racism; and
WHEREAS, in following the presidential proclamation, many employers across the United States have implemented a paid holiday for employees on Juneteenth; and WHEREAS, as part of the City’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; in recognition of the important contributions of Cesar Chavez to the farm labor and civil rights movements; and in furtherance of the ongoing work of achieving a more just future for all while understanding fully our nation’s past, the City Council desires to declare Cesar Chavez Day on the last Monday in March as a City holiday and Juneteenth Day of Observance on June 19th as a City holiday;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica hereby declares Cesar Chavez Day, on the last Monday of March, as a City holiday.
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica hereby declares Juneteenth Day of Observance, June 19th, as a City holiday.
SECTION 3. City employees shall receive a paid holiday for Cesar Chavez Day, the last Monday of March, and for Juneteenth Day of Observance, June 19th, consistent with their bargaining unit’s applicable Memorandum of Understanding and following the completion of any necessary meet and confer process between the City and the respective exclusively recognized employee organizations in accordance with the Meyers-Milias Brown Act.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JOSEPH P. LAWRENCE
Interim City Attorney