REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to flags and ceremonial lighting at City facilities:
1. ***RESOLUTION - Providing for honorary flag raising and lighting at City facilities (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. ***RESOLUTION - Approving list of Honorary Flag Raising and/or Light Events for Fiscal Year 2023 (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends adoption of the Resolution Providing for Honorary Flag-Raising and Lighting and the Resolution Approving the list of Honorary Flag Raising and Lighting Events
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For many years, the City of Fresno has honored countries, cities, sports teams, and civil rights organizations by ceremonially raising a flag on the City Hall flagpole. As the number and types of requests has increased, the Administration now wishes to have a policy adopted to provide clarity and process as to which flags will be raised at either Fresno City Hall or Eaton Plaza. In addition, the Resolution would also allow City Hall to be lit with a particular color (i.e., Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness) to honor a community event.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno has honored countries, cities, sports teams, and civil rights organizations by ceremonially raising a flag on the City Hall flagpole. As the number and types of requests has increased, the Administration now wishes to have a policy adopted to provide clarity and process as to which flags will be raised at either Fresno City Hall or Eaton Plaza. In addition, the Resolution would also allow City Hall to be lit with a particular color to honor a community event.
Flags displayed at City Hall will only express speech endorsed by the government. On an annual basis, the City Manager will bring forward for Council approval a schedule of events. Only those approved events may raise flags or display lighting at City Hall. The flagpoles at Eaton Plaza shall be considered a forum for public expression, and individuals or organizations may request ceremonial flag raisings through the Office of Special Events. Group events held in conjunction with ceremonial flag raisings or lightings must comply with existing municipal code requirements and City policies related to special events.
The City Manager has attached a list of events for Fresno City Hall that are recommended for approval for Fiscal Year 2023.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference does not apply.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is minimal fiscal impact depending on whether the Mayor or a City Councilmember desires to fund a lighting event at City Hall which would require the hiring of an outside vendor.
Attachment: Resolution - Flag Raisings
Resolution - Flag Events List