HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2013-31 - Support of US Post Office RESOLUTION 2013-31
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH IN SUPPORT OF THE
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE AND THE POSTAL SERVICE PROTECTION ACT OF
2013
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service is a vital component of this country's
economic and communications infrastructure handling and delivering 160 billion pieces of mail
and generating more than $65 billion in revenues annually, while receiving no taxpayer funding;
and
WHEREAS. the mailing industry, which employs eight million Americans, generates over
$1 trillion dollars annually, and represents approximately seven percent of the country's Gross
Domestic Product (GDP), depends on the US Postal Service's invaluable mail processing, retail
and last-mile delivery networks six days a week; and
WHEREAS, the US Postal Service is the only private company or federal agency
required by Congress to pre-fund future retiree health benefits for 75 years, requiring $5.5 billion
dollars to be paid annually which jeopardizes the financial sustainability of the US Postal
Service; and
WHEREAS, the US Postal Service is the second largest employer of US Veterans in the
country with over 22% of its employees being United States Veterans; and
WHEREAS, rural communities, small businesses and elderly Americans, many of which
do not have access to the Internet, remain dependent on the Postal Service for vital
communications and for the shipment of goods, including prescription medications; and
WHEREAS, the Postal Services Protection Act of 2013 would sustain the United States
Postal Service and avert unnecessary closures that hurt individuals and communities; and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service's financial issues are due to unnecessary
requirements and regulations imposed on it and the Postal Services Protection Act of 2013
would remove burdensome regulations, so the United States Postal Service can manage its
budget more effectively and be more competitive with other delivery service providers; and
WHEREAS, the Postal Services Protection Act of 2013 would prohibit cuts to Saturday
delivery, thus protecting rural communities, small businesses, and senior citizens, as well as
reducing the need for customers to seek other delivery options; and
WHEREAS, the Postal Services Protection Act of 2013 would provide stability to the
employment status of the second largest civilian workforce in the country, which is made up of
over a half a million people living and working in all of our communities, over 22% of whom are
veterans, many with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Postal Services Protection Act of 2013 would reinstate overnight
delivery standards to speed mail delivery and prevent shutdowns of mail sorting centers, and
protect voting by mail throughout California which is now commonplace and will remain
essential to our democracy.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ukiah City Council strongly urges
United States Senator Barbara Boxer and United States Senator Dianne Feinstein to pass the
Postal Service Protection Act of 2013, Senate Bill 316, sponsored by Senator Bernard Sanders,
that would ensure the modernization and preservation of the United States Postal Service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ukiah City Council urges Senator Barbara Boxer
and Senator Dianne Feinstein to oppose any postal reform legislation does not end the
unsustainable mandate requiring the USPS to pre-fund future retiree health benefits, does not
continue the mandate for six-day delivery service, does not protect door to door delivery as it
currently exits, and does not provide additional oversight and transparency to the United States
Postal Service's plan to close, relocate, or sell 3,270 post offices; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ukiah City Council shall transmit copies of this
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Majority Leader of the
Senate, to Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer, and to the United States
Postmaster General.
The foregoing Resolution introduced by Councilmember Baldwin, seconded by
Councilmember Thomas, and carried this 4'h day of December, 2013, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Landis, Thomas, Baldwin, and Mayor Crane
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
WHEREUPON, the Mayor declared said Resolution adopted and SO ORDERED.
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uglas F! Crane, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Kristine Lawler, City Clerk
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