HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.A 12/01/2014a
DATE: December 1, 2014
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: John C. Brown, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of a Living Wage Proposal for the County Of Sonoma
It is recommended that the City Council consider and take action regarding the attached
resolution in Support of a Living Wage Proposal for the County Of Sonoma.
BACKGROUND
At the November 17, 2014 City Council meeting, Councilmember Healy asked that the attached
resolution be agendized for the Council's December 1, 2014 meeting. The attached resolution is
provided for the Council's consideration and adoption as appropriate.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF A LIVING
WAGE PROPOSAL FOR THE COUNTY OF SONOMA
WHEREAS, the California minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living in
Sonoma County; and
WHEREAS, if annually adjusted for inflation since the 1960's, the California minimum
wage would be more than $11.81 per hour; and
WHEREAS, the current California minimum wage of $9.00 per hour is scheduled to
increase to $10.00 per hour on January 1, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the current and scheduled future California minimum wages are insufficient
to raise working families above the poverty line in Sonoma County, and an actual living or self-
sufficiency wage for Sonoma County for two parents, each working full time and with two
children, is $20.52 per hour; and
WHEREAS, in response to these challenges, more than 140 cities, counties and other
public agencies have implemented living wage ordinances, including 33 in California, including
locally the counties of Marin and San Francisco and the cities of Sebastopol (2003), Sonoma
(2004) and Petaluma (2006); and
WHEREAS, the current living wage for the City of Petaluma is $13.66 with medical
benefits and $1532 without medical benefits; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has persevered in implementing its living wage
ordinance, notwithstanding resulting budget challenges, because of the importance of providing a
living wage to employees of City contractors providing services to the public; and
NOW, THE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma supports a Living Wage Ordinance for the County of Sonoma that mandates a $15.00
per hour living wage for workers employed by the County, large County contractors and firms
receiving economic development assistance or leasing County property; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Petaluma recognizes the budget
challenges that a living wage ordinance will present to the County of Sonoma, and encourages
the County to move towards full implementation as expeditiously as is feasible.