Columbia city offices to be closed Monday in observance of Juneteenth

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The city of Columbia will close offices on Monday in observance of Juneteenth.

This is the first year the city is observing the national holiday.

"On this Juneteenth, all of us should take time to remember and educate ourselves on the events of June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers told enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, the war was over and they were free," City Manager De'Carlon Seewood said in a release. "I encourage residents to celebrate the holiday with family, neighbors and friends by taking part in one of the numerous events being held in our own community. Juneteenth is a day to commemorate freedom and to recognize the toll slavery has had on our country."

Several city services will be impacted by the holiday.

Residential curbside recycling and trash will not be collected on the observed holiday and will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. The landfill will also be closed Monday.

Go COMO, Columbia's public transit system, will not operate. Parking enforcement will be suspended Monday, June 20.

The City's Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) will operate at reduced hours on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The facility will operate at normal hours on June 20. The Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on both June 19 and 20.

Although administrative offices for both the Police and Fire departments will be closed, all other emergency services will be available.