HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 06-22 CCM Study SessionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY
OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
STUDY SESSION
JUNE 22, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at
5:00 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Webex,
ROLL CALL
Mayor Milce Elliott and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence -
Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager
Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and
City Attorney Troy Gilchrist,
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS
City Manager Cmt Boganey stated the revised Study Session agenda includes an Agenda Item
under Miscellaneous requested by Councilmember Ryan regarding Juneteenth Official Holiday.
Councilmember Graves stated she saw the amended Agenda and expressed her appreciation to
Councilmember Ryan for presenting this information. She added she thinks it is a great idea.
MISCELLANEOUS
Juneteenth
Councilmember Ryan stated it came to his attention that a bill was introduced in the United
States Senate on Friday June 19, 2020, that would make June 19 known universally as
"Juneteenth", a federal holiday commemorating the federal order to free slaves in Texas issued
on that date in 1865. He added his fellow Councilmembers and City Staff are aware of
Juneteenth, and its place in history, through commemorations and celebrations. He noted others
who may be listening may not be familiar with Juneteenth, and he would like to say a few words
about what would be brought forward in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
Councilmember Ryan stated Juneteeth, also known as Emancipation Day, Black Independence
Day, or Jubilee Day, celebrates black emancipation from slavery after the Civil War. President
Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation legally accomplished this, but it would take over
two more years before slaves in the south would learn that they were free.
Councilmember Ryan stated, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in
Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and slavery due to its remote location.
06/22/20 -1-
The 13t" Amendment to the Constitution ratified the end of slavery throughout the United States,
but the amendment had not been recognized in border states.
Councilmember Ryan stated the proposed federal bill will give Juneteenth full recognition as a
national holiday. He added Juneteenth is about acknowledging a day in our country's history
when all Americans can come together, rejoicing in the progress we have made and
recommitting ourselves to the work. that is yet undone, to ensure equal justice under the law for
all. He noted it is only fitting and proper that the Brooklyn Center City Council should have a
Resolution in support of recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday.
Councilmember Ryan stated he hopes the City Council will come together in Consensus in favor
of having City Staff draft a Resolution in support of this great federal bill.
Councilmember Graves stated, as she indicated earlier, this is a great idea. She added she is
aware of several cities and states that have passed similar Resolutions. She noted she thinks it is
great that Councilmember Ryan is educated about the holiday's background and historical
context. She expressed her appreciation to Councilmember Ryan for presenting the City Council
with an opportunity to show support for the federal bill by passing the City's own Resolution in
support of Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Councilmember Graves stated she is in favor of having City Staff draft a Resolution for City
Council approval.
Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated she appreciates Councilmember Ryan making this
suggestion, and she wholeheartedly supports the proposed Resolution.
Mayor Elliott stated it sounds lil.e Councilmember Ryan has a Consensus.
-None.
DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS
I��17�1/1�►1► i �►�
Mayor Elliott adjourned the Study Session at 6:14 p.m
06/22/20 -2-
STATE OF MINNESOTA)
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER)
The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerlc of the City of Brooklyn
Center, Minnesota, certifies;
1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Study
Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on June 22, 2020.
2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at
Brooklyn Center City Hall.
3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its July 13, 2020, Regular Session.
w
Barbara Suciu, City Clerk
Elliott, Mayor
06/22/20 -3-