HUMAN RESOURCES
150 City Park Way • Brentwood, California 94513
Phone: 925-516-5191 • Fax: 925-516-5446
e-mail: [email protected]
DATE: April 21, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Sukari Beshears, Director of Human Resources/Risk Manager SUBJECT: Agenda Item F.23 – Flag Policy
Subsequent to the publication of the agenda, it was brought to my attention that there was a change made in the amended Flag Policy that is incorrect. There is no fiscal impact associated with the correction of this error.
Under the Policy Section 1. Authorized display of flags at City facilities, ‘poles’ was inadvertently removed in the first sentence of the fourth paragraph. It should read as follows:
• In adopting this policy, the City Council declares that the City’s flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression of the public, but rather for the display of the Federal, State, City flags, and those Commemorative flags that may be flown as an expression of the City’s official sentiments.
The corrected Flag Policy is attached to this memo. If any Council Member wishing to make a motion on this item tonight would reference the Flag Policy “as amended,” the record will then be clear in this regard.
Thank you
COUNCIL/ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
Subject: Flag Policy Policy No: 00-9 Date:
Resolution No: Page 1 of 3
CITY OF BRENTWOOD
PURPOSE
It will be the policy of the City of Brentwood to raise, display, and lower the Flag of the United States, the Flag of the State of California, the City of Brentwood Flag, and Council-approved commemorative flags located at City facilities in accordance with Federal and State policies proper flag etiquette and respect for the flag. It is essential to ensure that flags are visible and displayed prominently and respectfully, reflecting their significance.
POLICY
1. Authorized display of flags at City facilities:
Flags are to be displayed in conformance with Federal and State policies, including Public Law 94-344 and California Government Code Section 430, et seq. The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures and guidelines for the display of official government flags and commemorative flags on one of the City Hall and Community Center flagpoles.
Displayed and raised flags in front of City Hall and the Police Station include the Flag of the United States, the Flag of the State of California, and the City of Brentwood Flag. But for the City of Brentwood flag, the following facilities will also display the official government flags:
Municipal Services Center, and Brentwood Family Aquatics Center.
The National League of POW/MIA Families and related military flags may be flown at the following locations at all times when the United States Flag is flown: inside the City Hall Council Chambers, and Veterans Park.
In adopting this policy, the City Council declares that the City’s flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression of the public, but rather for the display of the Federal, State, City flags, and those Commemorative flags that may be flown as an expression of the City’s official sentiments. Position of the flags and flagpoles shall be in prominent locations to ensure flags are clearly visible to the public and free from obstruction. Flagpole placement shall adhere to local zoning laws and regulations. The City Manager or designee may relocate a flag or flagpole when deemed that the visibility of the flag is obstructed and there are no other viable alternatives to ensure public visibility of the flag(s).
2. Commemorative Flags:
A commemorative Flag as defined in this Policy shall mean a flag other than those listed in Section 1 above.
The City may display commemorative flags as authorized by the City Council at a duly noticed meeting of the City Council. The City Council will only consider a request to display a commemorative flag if the request is made by a member(s) of the Council. Any such request will be accompanied by information supporting the request and graphics of the proposed flag.
Approvals to continue display of a commemorative flag will be considered annually in conjunction with the annual ceremonial proclamations review.
Commemorative flags (other than the POW/MIA and related military flags) will be displayed exclusively on the flagpole outside City Hall and the Community Center and no other location.
COUNCIL/ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
Subject: Flag Policy Policy No: 00-9 Date:
Resolution No: Page 2 of 3
CITY OF BRENTWOOD
They will be displayed for a period of time not less than seven days and not more than thirtyone days. Such flags will be displayed in the last position of honor.
No more than one (1) Commemorative Flag will be flown at any given time.
3. Half-Staff Protocol for flags at City facilities:
National or State Declarations: In response to a national or state declaration, all flags at City facilities will be flown at half-staff. The flag is flown at half-staff upon the death of the following: President, former President, Vice President, former Vice President, Chief Justice or retired Chief Justice of the U.S., Speaker of the House of Representatives, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, President pro tempore of the Senate, Majority Leader of the Senate, Minority Leader of the Senate, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Member of Congress, a State Governor. The City will comply with instructions from the Federal or State government regarding how long the flags should remain lowered. (4 U.S.C. § 7(m).) Peace Officers Memorial Day – May 15: Flags at City facilities will be flown at half-staff unless that day also falls on Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May). (4 U.S.C. § 7(m).) Memorial Day - Last Monday in May: Flags at City facilities will be flown at half-staff until noon on this day, and then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day at facilities operating on the holiday. Facilities not operating on the holiday will be flown at half-staff until the following workday. (4 U.S.C. § 7(m).)
Patriot Day – September 11: Flags at City facilities will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset. (36 U.S.C. § 144(b)(2).)
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day – December 7: Flags at City facilities will be flown at halfstaff from sunrise to sunset. (Presidential Proclamation) Local Authority: Flags will be lowered to half-staff in the following situations:
1. Upon the death of a City Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Flags will be flown at half-staff from the date of death until internment.
2. Upon the death of a current or former Mayor or City Council Member and notification of City staff thereof, flags will be flown at half-staff until the burial of the deceased, but not for more than three days.
3. Upon the death of a current City of Brentwood employee, flags will be flown at halfstaff until the burial of the deceased, but not for more than three days.
Procedures:
The City Clerk will maintain subscriptions to half-staff notification sites. The City Clerk will notify assigned staff in advance of occasions authorized by the Flag Code and this Policy that require the flags be flown at half-staff.
In the event of an unscheduled occasion requiring the flags be lowered to half-staff, the City Clerk will immediately notify assigned staff of the event and the duration of which the flags should remain
COUNCIL/ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
Subject: Flag Policy Policy No: 00-9 Date:
Resolution No: Page 3 of 3
CITY OF BRENTWOOD
lowered.
Assigned staff will raise the flags to its peak for a moment prior to lowering them to half-staff in accordance with flag etiquette. As no other flag should be flown above the United States Flag, it will be lowered last and raised first.
The City Clerk will also notify the members of the City Council and Department Directors when flags are lowered to half-staff and the reasons for the lowering.
Revision History
Date Resolution
02/26/2013 2013-38 Adopted Original Policy
05/26/2015 2015-77 Updated a reference in multiple policies to reflect the reorganization of the Finance and Information Systems and City Administration Departments
04/09/2024 2024-38 Amended to add commemorative flags and change title to Flag Policy