10211-12 Establishing Martin Luther King Jr Designated City Holiday Amending Chapter 2

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ORDINANCE NO. I. O 2-t "� L AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,ESTABLISHING MARTIN LUTHER KING,JR. (MLK) DAY AS A DESIGNATED CITY HOLIDAY AND AMENDING CHAPTER 2,ARTICLE 8, SECTION 2-121 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill, proposed by U.S. Representative Katie Hall of Indiana which formally created a federal holiday to honor Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. The first observance began on January 20, 1986, and has been celebrated each year thereafter on the third Monday of January. In 1986, the Indiana General Assembly enacted Public Law 2-1986 which established Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday as a legal holiday in Indiana,and further designated that this holiday would be observed on the third Monday each January. Employees of St. Joseph County and Elkhart County are able to participate in planned activities and events to honor the life of Reverend King because for them Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a paid holiday. It is fitting, appropriate, and respectful of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy and influence on human rights and dignity, that officers and employees of the City of South Bend observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January, as a paid holiday. The South Bend Common Council has previously recommended that this become a paid holiday for City officers and employees beginning calendar year January, 2013 (Resolution No. 4150-12). Establishing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a regular paid City holiday, although fitting, appropriate, and respectful, has a significant fiscal impact on the City's budget. To offset this impact, it is necessary that the total number of paid holidays for City officers and employees remain the same as it was before this enactment-- at ten holidays. Accordingly, the option of choosing an additional non-designated holiday will no longer be available to City officers and employees. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED AND DECREED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA as follows: SECTION I. Commencing in calendar year 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day, observed on the third Monday of January is and shall be established as a designated holiday for officers and employees of the City of South Bend. SECTION II. Chapter 2, Article 8, Section 2-121(a) of the South Bend Municipal Code shall be and hereby is amended to read as follows: