Cloverdale staff recommends closing City Hall on Juneteenth and July 3; council asks for public notice

City staff asked the Cloverdale City Council to consider closing City Hall on Wednesday, June 19 — Juneteenth — and on Thursday, July 3 to give employees an extended July Fourth weekend.

Staff said Juneteenth is a federal holiday that many banks and the post office observe and that the day is typically slow at City Hall. The presenter recommended employees use accrued vacation for Juneteenth because the city does not officially observe it as a paid holiday. For July 3, staff suggested closing on the Thursday preceding Independence Day to avoid paying additional holiday wages when the Friday holiday already falls on a regular paid day.

The request was framed as an operational convenience and an employee benefit rather than a formal policy change. Council members and staff discussed the payroll implications if the city were to pay holiday wages for those days. One council member asked staff to ensure the closure would be publicized: “Perfect. Just make sure it’s posted online and on doors and stuff so that people know we’re gonna be observing on the day,” and staff replied that notices would be posted on the front door and website.

No formal vote on adopting Juneteenth as a paid holiday or on closing City Hall July 3 was recorded in the transcript. Staff said they would post public notices if the council adopts the closure as an operational practice.

The item will return to regular procedure for any formal action and implementation details, including whether the city will pay holiday wages or require staff to use vacation time.