Blaming the holidays and the “complexities and sensitivities” of removing a controversial Christopher Columbus statue from San Jose City Hall, city leaders are asking for more time.

In an informational memo, Public Works Director Barry Ng said he expects to bring the issue before the City Council in January. Over the past three months, the city’s faced growing pressure from civil rights groups to relocate the marble statue of the 15th century explorer. Councilman Raul Peralez wrote a proposal to move it to “a more appropriate location.”