Staff Report re: Adding Mexican Flag to Commemorative Flag Schedule Page 1 of 3
STAFF REPORT
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Barros, City Manager
MEETING DATE: February 26, 2025
SUBJECT: Adding the Mexican Flag to the Town’s Commemorative Flag Schedule
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the following:
RESOLUTION ADDING THE MEXICAN FLAG TO THE TOWN’S COMMEMORATIVE FLAG
SCHEDULE AND DIRECT TOWN STAFF TO FLY THE MEXICAN FLAG IN LIEU OF THE
TOWN OF COLMA FLAG AT THE COLMA COMMUNITY CENTER PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINE 15301 AND 15378
COUNCIL ADOPTED VALUES
This agenda item reflects the Town of Colma's commitment to fostering respect by recognizing diverse causes, communities, and significant events that matter to our residents.
BACKGROUND
At its meeting on January 8, 2025, the City Council of the Town of Colma adopted Resolution 2025-01, directing Town staff to fly various commemorative flags in place of the Town of Colma flag at the Colma Community Center. Mayor Gonzalez proposed adding the Mexican flag to the Town’s commemorative flag schedule. If the Council considers this request, the Town recommends raising the Mexican flag in May, around Cinco de Mayo (May 5), which marks Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, or in late October to early November, coinciding with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones on November 1 and 2. The proposed resolution would authorize the 2025 commemorative flag schedule to include the Mexican flag, along with previously approved flags:
the Irish Flag, the Philippine Flag, the LGBT/Pride Flag, the Italian Flag, the Israeli Flag, and the Armenian Flag.
ANALYSIS
The Council has previously discussed and approved the display of six commemorative flags. On June 26, 2019, the Council adopted a resolution to fly the LGBT/Pride flag in recognition of Pride Month in June. On September 25, 2019, it approved a resolution to fly the Italian flag in honor of Italian American Heritage and Culture Month in October. On June 24, 2020, a resolution was AGENDA ITEM #5
Staff Report re: Adding Mexican Flag to Commemorative Flag Schedule Page 2 of 3 passed to fly the Philippine flag in recognition of Philippine Independence Day on June 12. On January 12, 2022, the Council approved the display of the Israeli flag in observance of Israeli Independence Day, which varies annually based on the Hebrew calendar. On September 14, 2022, it authorized flying the Armenian flag to commemorate Armenian Independence Day on September 21. Most recently, on January 8, 2025, the Council approved a resolution to fly the Irish flag in recognition of Irish American Heritage and Culture Month, observed around March
17. If the Council approves adding the Mexican flag to its commemorative flag schedule on one of the dates recommended by Staff, the updated schedule would be as follows:
Flag Occasion Duration
Irish Flag Irish American Heritage and
Culture Month March 12, 2025 to March 19, 2025
Israeli Flag Israeli Independence Day April 30, 2025 until sundown Mexican Flag Cinco de Mayo * April 30, 2025 to May 7, 2025 * Philippine Flag Philippine Independence Day June 11, 2025 to June 18, 2025 LGBT/Pride Flag Pride Month June 25, 2025 to July 2, 2025 Armenian Flag Armenian Independence Day September 17, 2025 to September 24, 2025
Italian Flag Italian Heritage and Culture Month October 8, 2025 to October 15, 2025
Mexican Flag Dia de los Muertos * October 29, 2025 to November 5, 2025 *
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed resolution would have a minor fiscal impact, as the Town will need to purchase a Mexican flag.
ENVIRONMENTAL
The City Council’s action in adopting the resolution to fly commemorative flags is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15301 as the operation of an existing public facility, namely, the Colma Community Center. It is also exempt pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15378 as an organizational or administrative activity of the government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
Staff Report re: Adding Mexican Flag to Commemorative Flag Schedule Page 3 of 3
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council may consider an alternative date for flying the Mexican flag. Mexican Independence Day, observed on September 16, marks the country’s independence from Spain.
However, staff does not recommend this option due to a scheduling conflict, as the Armenian flag is already set to be displayed from September 17 to September 24, 2025, in honor of Armenian Independence Day.
Another alternative the City Council could consider is excluding the Mexican flag from its commemorative flag schedule. However, staff does not recommend this option, as a significant portion of the Town’s residents and community identify with Mexican heritage.
CONCLUSION
The City Council should adopt the proposed resolution authorizing the flying of the Mexican flag on a date approved by the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Draft Resolution Directing Town Staff to Fly the Mexican Flag
A II • I
Res. 2025-__, Mexican Flag Raising Page 1 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-__
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF COLMA
RESOLUTION ADDING THE MEXICAN FLAG TO THE TOWN’S COMMEMORATEIVE
FLAG SCHEDULE AND DIRECT TOWN STAFF TO FLY THE MEXICAN FLAG IN LIEU OF
THE TOWN OF COLMA FLAG AT THE COLMA COMMUNITY CENTER PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINE 15301 AND 15378
The City Council of the Town of Colma hereby resolves:
1.Recitals and Background.
(a)On June 26, 2019, the City Council of the Town of Colma adopted a new flag policy codified at Subchapter 1.18 of the Colma Administrative Code to memorialize the fact that the Town’s flag poles are a nonpublic forum.
(b)Pursuant to Subchapter 1.18 of the Colma Administrative Code, Council may by resolution direct Town staff to fly commemorative flags in lieu of the Town of Colma flag on the flag pole located at Town Hall or at the Colma Community Center, as an expression of the Town's official sentiments, consistent with the Town's vision, mission, and guiding principles, incorporating themes of diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion. Commemorative Flags shall be displayed for a period of time that is reasonable or customary for the subject that is to be commemorated, but no longer than 30 continuous days.
(c)The Council has previously approved the flying of six commemorative flags. On June 26, 2019, the City Council approved a resolution to fly the LGBT/Pride Commemorative flag in recognition of Pride Month; on September 25, 2019, the City Council approved a resolution to fly the Italian flag in recognition of Italian Heritage and Culture Month. On June 24, 2020, the City Council approved a resolution to fly the Philippine flag in recognition of Philippine Independence Day. On January 12, 2022, Council approved a resolution to fly the Israeli Flag in recognition of Israeli Independence Day, which changes date based on the Hebrew calendar. On September 14, 2022, Council approved a resolution to fly the Armenian Flag in recognition of Armenian Independence Day on September 21. On January 8, 2025, Council approved a resolution to fly the Irish Flag in recognition of Irish Heritage and Cultural Month. (d) The flying of these commemorative flags is an expression of one of the Town's guiding principles of celebrating diversity; as such, the Town intends to fly these commemorative flags again in 2025 and to include the Irish flag in its schedule. (e)In honor of Cinco de Mayo/Dia de los Muertos, the Town intends to fly the Mexican flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on April 30, 2025 to May 7, 2025/October 29, 2025 to November 5, 2025.
(f)In honor of Irish Heritage and Culture Month, the Town intends to fly the Irish flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on March 12, 2025 to March 19, 2025. (g)In honor of Israeli Independence Day, which changes date based on the Hebrew calendar, the Town intends to fly the Israeli flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on April 30, 2025 until sunset.
ATTACHMENT A
Res. 2025-__, Mexican Flag Raising Page 2 of 3
(h) In honor of Philippine Independence Day on June 12, the Town intends to fly the Philippine flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center June 11, 2024 to June 18, 2025.
(i) In honor of June as Pride Month, the Town intends to fly the LGBT/pride flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from June 25, 2025 to July 2, 2025. (j) In honor of Armenian Independence Day on September 21, the Town intends to fly the Armenian Flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center September 17, 2025 to September 24, 2025.
(k) In honor of October as Italian Heritage and Culture Month, the Town intends to fly the Italian flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from October 8, 2025 to October 15, 2025.
2. Order.
(a) The City Council has considered the full record before and finds the recitals set forth above true and correct and hereby incorporates them by reference. (b) Pursuant to Subchapter 1.18 of the Colma Administrative Code, the City Council hereby directs staff to fly:
(i) the Mexican flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on April 30, 2025 to May 7, 2025/October 29, 2025 to November 5, 2025. (ii) the Irish flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on March 12, 2025 to March 19, 2025.
(iii) the Israeli flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on April 30, 2025 until sunset;
(iv) the Philippine flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from June 11, 2024 to June 18, 2025;
(v) the LGBT/pride flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from June 25, 2025 to July 2, 2025;
(vi) the Armenian Flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from September 17, 2025 to September 24, 2025; and
(vii) the Italian flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from October 8, 2025 to October 15, 2025.
3. Effective Date.
(a) This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
Res. 2025-__, Mexican Flag Raising Page 3 of 3
Certification of Adoption
I certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2025-__ was adopted at a regular meeting of said City Council held on February 26, 2025 by the following vote:
Name Voting Present, Not Voting Absent
Aye No Abstain Not Participating
Ken Gonzalez, Mayor
Carrie Slaughter
Helen Fisicaro
Joanne F. del Rosario
Thomas Walsh
Voting Tally
Dated ______________________ ___________________________________ Ken Gonzalez, Mayor
Attest: ____________________________
Michelle Estabillo, City Clerk