BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Formalize Lunar New Year as a Valley Water Observed Holiday in Accordance with the Newly Adopted State Holiday; Adopt a Resolution in Recognition of the Lunar New Year as a Newly Designated Annual Holiday at Santa Clara Valley Water District; and Approve Staff’s Recommendation to Provide a Paid Holiday in Observation of the 2023 Lunar New Year Commemoration.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Formalize Lunar New Year as a Valley Water Observed Holiday, in Accordance with the Newly Adopted State Holiday;
B. Adopt the Resolution in RECOGNITION OF LUNAR NEW YEAR AS A NEWLY DESIGNATED ANNUAL HOLIDAY AT SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT; and
C. Approve staff’s recommendation to provide a paid Holiday in observance of the 2023 Lunar New Year Commemoration.
Body
SUMMARY:
On September 29, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2596 (Low) into legislation establishing Lunar New Year, the date corresponding with the second new moon following the winter solstice, or the third new moon following the winter solstice should an intercalary month intervene, as a state-recognized non-judicial holiday.
The Lunar New Year holiday marks the start of the new lunisolar calendar year, in which the first day occurs between late January to early February after the winter solstice. Culturally, it signifies a time for family reunion, renewed hope, and prosperity. It is a holiday celebrated by approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, including the United States.
The Lunar New Year holiday in California honors the significant contributions of the Asian, and Asian American Pacific Islander communities and their descendants to the culture, economy, and history of the country.
This resolution is consistent with Santa Clara Valley Water District’s (Valley Water) core values and the principles used in accomplishing Valley Water’s mission. Valley Water remains committed to racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
Staff recommends formally recognizing Lunar New Year and adding the date as a paid holiday to our list of observed annual holidays, beginning in 2023, in accordance with the state-adopted holiday.
Staff also recommends that Valley Water provide each employee one (1) extra vacation day to be added to each employee’s vacation balance in lieu of not receiving the holiday this year for FY23 in observance of Lunar New Year. This is due to the fact that Valley Water was unable to formally observe Lunar New Year as a holiday this year. The one (1) extra calendar day to be added to each employee’s vacation balance in FY23 must be used by the end of the fiscal year (Friday, June 30th, 2023).
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no Environmental Justice impacts associated with this item. However, the adoption of the Lunar New Year as an official Valley Water holiday aligns with agency values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The financial impact of recognizing Lunar New Year as an annual Valley Water state holiday is estimated at $616,000. This cost estimate represents a loss of productivity that otherwise would have been gained from the Valley Water workforce, based on the average wages and overtime pay from the three prior Valley Water holidays taken on December 25, 2022, January 1, and 16, 2023.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
*Handout 9.2-A: Young
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Marta Lugo, 408-630-2237