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-