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<br /> <br />C. Discussion on Designating Juneteenth as a City Holiday <br /> <br />Suggs explained the City of New Brighton is working to determine if Juneteenth, a historic day, <br />should be recognized as a citywide holiday. A few cities have recognized it as a holiday <br />including Woodbury, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Hopkins and Burnsville. Both Hennepin and <br />Ramsey Counties also recognize it as a holiday for their organizations. The Equity Commission <br />is tasked with discussing if Juneteenth should be recognized as a City of New Brighton holiday. <br />He reported 31% of New Brighton identified as BIPOC in the most recent census. Questions for <br />consideration are how this would impact the community, how the day could be celebrated if it is <br />designated as a holiday, what the implications are if we were to wait, and more. Staff <br />commented further on the designation and requested feedback from the Commission on how to <br />proceed. <br /> <br />Discussion included: <br /> The Commission asked if this would be a holiday or a celebration. Suggs explained staff <br />was hoping to have Juneteenth serve as both a holiday and a celebration honoring the end <br />of slavery and the beginning of healing in the community and throughout the country. <br /> The Commission questioned what was done for other City holidays and how would a <br />budget for this holiday be viewed by the public. Suggs stated this was part of an ongoing <br />discussion between staff and noted the equity strategic action plan would take this into <br />consideration. He noted Black History Month and Women’s History Month were things <br />celebrated in the City. He indicated he would be leaning on the Commission for help on <br />how to address and celebrate other holidays in the community. Massopust explained City <br />funds are not used for the promotion or celebration of any holiday in the City and noted <br />this would be a different operation because the City would like to celebrate and <br />acknowledge this holiday. <br /> The Commission anticipated the budget would be the one area of concern for this holiday <br />and suggested the same amount of money be spent on Juneteenth as was spent on the 4th <br />of July. <br /> The Commission agreed the optics of this event would be important to the public. <br /> The Commission questioned if other celebrations were held in the community that <br />celebrated specific cultures. Massopust stated most of these were community driven and <br />were not hosted by the City of New Brighton. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas indicated the <br />Inclusive Community Task Force recommended the City plan and hold a culture festival. <br /> A Commission member described how Ramsey County added Juneteenth as a holiday but <br />took away another holiday, which felt wrong to her. She encouraged the City to keep in <br />mind these optics when considering setting a new holiday in place. Further discussion <br />ensued regarding if a new holiday would be added to the City calendar or if one would <br />have to be taken away for City employees. It was noted this would be a City Council <br />decision. <br /> The Commission requested staff investigate what other cities have done and if they have <br />added a holiday or replaced another holiday with Juneteenth. Suggs stated he would be <br />happy to research this matter and would report back to the Commission. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Lim, seconded by Commissioner Weber to recommend the City <br />Council recognize Juneteenth as a celebration and City Holiday. <br /> <br />A roll call vote was taken. Approved 8-0 <br />