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Resolution 1152RESOLUTION NO. 1152 A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF EDMONDS DECLARING EDMONDS TO BE MILITARY FAMILY FRIENDLY AND ENCOURAGING AREA BUSINESSES TO BECOME A MILITARY FAMILY FRIENDLY EMPLOYMENT PARTNER WHEREAS, the city of Edmonds hosts a vast number of military families who are either permanently or temporarily stationed in the area; and WHEREAS, military spouses and family members are often faced with employer bias because of stereotypes such as availability and potential length of employment; and WHEREAS, the city of Edmonds has and wishes to continue to experience economic development and the creation of family wage jobs; and WHEREAS, the city of Edmonds supports strongly a diverse and inclusive qualified workforce; and WHEREAS, the city of Edmonds supports fully our troops and their families; and WHEREAS, the city of Edmonds is an equal opportunity employer; and WHEREAS, the city of Edmonds hereby makes the following finding of fact: A. Today's employers are faced with an unprecedented challenge of meeting their staffing needs in today's high-technology, service -oriented economy. The demand for motivated, qualified personnel has outstripped supply in many industries. Without new sources of talent, growth, productivity and profits will be constrained by shortages in the labor market. B. Military family members provide an advantage to employers searching for high levels of talent, training, and unique skills cultivated by the rigors of military family life. C. Military family members are highly educated and trained in a variety of disciplines. More than one -fifth of spouses have earned a baccalaureate degree and one in twenty holds one or more graduate or professional degrees. Many more are licensed or certified in skilled trades or professional fields. D. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average job tenure of employees has been on a steady decline over the past decade. Across all industries, the average tenure is between three and four years. The median tour of duty for military personnel is 3 years, suggesting that their accompanying spouses are likely to be employed for an "average" period, if they find employment shortly upon arrival. -1- E. Approximately 6500 sailors and civil service persons are assigned to Naval Station Everett with an estimated 10,000 family members. Of this number there are about 5% per month that rotates in and out. This means about 825 sailors plus family members, per month, are coming into and out of Naval Station Everett. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: THE CITY OF EDMONDS IS A MILITARY FAMILY FRIENDLY PARTNER AND ENCOURAGES AREA BUSINESSES TO JOIN THE MILITARY FAMILY FRIENDLY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE. RESOLVED this 4th day of September, 2007. APPROV MA OR, AAKENSON ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: ITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 08/31/2007 PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 09/04/2007 RESOLUTION NO. 1152 -2-