Staff Report re Subchapter 1.18 of the Administrative Code Page 1 of 3
STAFF REPORT
TO
: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Dan Barros, City Manager
MEETING DATE: May 13, 2026
SUBJECT: Subchapter 1.18 of the Administrative Code Regarding Commemorative Flag Displays
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss Subchapter 1.18 of the Administrative Code regarding Commemorative Flag Displays and to provide direction.
COUNCIL ADOPTED VALUES
• Inclusivity and Respect: Building trust to foster an inclusive, supportive, and open environment.
• Responsibility: Making decisions by taking long-range consequences into consideration, including potential social impacts of government expression. • Strategic Alignment: The 2025-2027 Strategic Plan prioritizes "Community" and "Resiliency". This discussion ensures that Town symbols continue to reflect the identity and values outlined in these priority areas.
B
ACKGROUND
On June 26, 2019, the City Council adopted a flag policy (Administrative Code Subchapter 1.18) establishing that Town Flag Poles are nonpublic forums intended for government expression rather than public free expression. Currently, the policy allows for the display of:
• The Flag of the United States of America
• The Flag of the State of California
• The Flag of the Town of Colma
• Commemorative Flags as authorized by Council resolution.
ANALYSIS
The Town’s current policy mandates that flag displays incorporate themes of diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion. When evaluating changes to this policy, the Council AGENDA ITEM #9
Staff Report re Subchapter 1.18 of the Administrative Code Page 2 of 3 must balance these values against the operational and legal implications of government expression.
In January of each calendar year, the City Council is asked to adopt a resolution directing staff on which flags to fly that year. Town staff is seeking direction from the City Council on whether it wants to remove or limits some of the flags that were included in Resolution No. 2026-01 adopted on January 14, 2026. The current resolution currently directs Town staff to fly the following flags on the following dates:
Flag Occasion Duration
Irish Flag Irish Heritage and Culture Month March 11, 2026 to March 18, 2026 Mexican Flag Cinco de Mayo April 29, 2026 to May 6, 2026 Israeli Flag Israeli Independence Day April 22, 2026 until sundown Philippine Flag Philippine Independence Day June 10, 2026 to June 17, 2026 LGBT/Pride Flag Pride Month June 24, 2026 to July 1, 2026 Armenian Flag Armenian Independence Day September 16, 2026 to September 23, 2026
Italian Flag Italian Heritage and Culture Month October 7, 2026 to October 14, 2026
In recent weeks, the Israeli Flag Raising, followed by the Mexican Flag Rasing, were canceled by the City Manager, in consultation with the Mayor, due to larger amounts of written protests received. The Town received word from several organized groups that they would be present to formally protest in the amount of hundreds if the Town chose to follow through with the scheduled Israeli Flag Raising. In the essence of public safety, the swift decision was made the day before the event to cancel the event.
At the April 22nd City Council Meeting, the Mayor asked for the policy to be agendized for discussion amongst the City Council. Because said discussion had yet to occur, the decision was also made to cancel the scheduled Mexican Flag Raising as well to avoid further conflict.
As requested, this topic is before you once more for discussion with the following options below for consideration. The City Council is not limited to the below options.
Staff Report re Subchapter 1.18 of the Administrative Code Page 3 of 3 Option 1: Direct staff to fly the LGBT/Pride Flag Only
• Analysis: This option would remove all flags chosen to be flown for calendar year 2026 and direct staff to only fly the Pride flag in June. This prioritizes a single, globally recognized symbol of inclusion.
• Administrative Impact: This provides a clear, narrow scope for staff, significantly reducing the administrative burden of vetting new commemorative requests.
Option 2: Direct Staff to not Fly Flags Representing Countries and Find Some Other Way to Celebrate those Respective Groups
This option would direct staff to remove all flags associated with Countries.
• Analysis of Fairness & Inclusion: This option avoids inserting the Town into any current political unrest that may be occurring within or between any countries and avoids any risk that the Town would be taking a position in any war or conflict between countries.
• Administrative Impact: This provides a clear, narrow scope for staff, significantly reducing the administrative burden of vetting new commemorative requests.
FISCAL IMPACT
Annual costs for commemorative flags range from $500 to $1,500 depending on the flag raising event. Under Option 2, the Town would see a small but total reduction in these costs and a redirection of staff hours towards other core Town services.
ENVIRONMENTAL
This is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15378, as it is an administrative activity that will not result in a physical change to the environment. This action is also not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15301 as the operation of existing public facilities including the Town’s flagpoles.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction on whether to maintain the status quo or direct staff to return with a resolution amending Resolution No. 2026 -01 adopted in January to limit certain flags from being flown.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Administrative Code Subchapter 1.18
B. Resolution 2026-01 Commemorative Flag Raising Schedule
Display of Town Flags Administrative Code
September 2019 Page 1.18-1
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL PROVISIONS
SUBCHAPTER 1.18: DISPLAY OF FLAGS
1.18.010 Purpose and Scope
(a) The purpose of this subchapter is to regulate the Town Flag Poles on Town property which are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public, but rather for the display of the Flags of the United States, State of California and Town of Colma, and any Commemorative Flags as may be authorized by the City Council by resolution as an expression of the Town’s official sentiments.
1.18.020 Definitions
(a) “Town Flag Poles” shall mean those flag poles situated at the following locations:
(1) Town Hall (1 pole)
(2) Police Department (1 pole)
(3) Colma Community Center (3 poles)
(4) Sterling Park Recreation (1 pole)
(b) The Town Flag Poles are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public, but rather for the display of the Flags of the United States, State of California and Town of Colma, and any Commemorative Flags as may be authorized by the City Council by resolution as an expression of the Town’s official sentiments. (c) “Commemorative Flag” shall mean any flag which identifies with a specific date, historical event, cause, nation, or group of people, whereby the Town honors or commemorates the date, event, cause, nation, or people by flying the flag.
Commemorative Flags shall be displayed at Town facilities identified herein only upon City Council direction, consistent with the Town’s vision, mission, and guiding principles, incorporating themes of diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion.
1.18.030 Display of Other Flags
(a) The display of flags other than the flags of the United States of America, State of California, and Town of Colma on Town Flag Poles is not permitted except as follows:
(1) The City Council may, by resolution, direct Town staff to display Commemorative Flags as an expression of the Town’s official sentiments by any of the following means:
Display in lieu of the Town of Colma flag on the flag pole located at Town
ATTACHMENT A
Display of Town Flags Administrative Code
September 2019 Page 1.18-2
Hall or at the Colma Community Center.
(2) 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.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF COLMA
RESOLUTION DIRECTING TOWN STAFF TO FLY VARIOUS COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS
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 five 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. On February 25, 2025, Council approved a resolution to fly the Mexican Flag in recognition of Cinco de Mayo. ( 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 2026.
(e) 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 11, 2026 to March 18, 2026. (f) In honor of Cinco de Mayor, the Town intends to fly the Mexican flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on April 29, 2026 to May 6, 2026.
Res. 2026-01, Commemorative Flag Schedule 2026 Page 1 of 3
ATTACHMENT B
(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 22, 2026 until sunset.
(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 10, 2026 to June 17, 2026.
(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 24, 2026 to July 1, 2026.
U) 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 16, 2026 to September 23, 2026.
(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 7, 2026 to October 14, 2026.
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 Irish flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on March 11, 2026 to March 18, 2026.
(ii) the Israeli flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on April 22, 2026 until sunset;
iii) the Mexican flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center on April 29, 2026 to May 6, 2026;
(iv) the Philippine flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from June 10, 2026 to June 17, 2026;
(v) the LGBT/pride flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from June 24, 2026 to July 1, 2026;
(vi) the Armenian Flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from September 16, 2026 to September 23, 2026; and
(vi) the Italian flag in lieu of the Town of Colma Flag at the Colma Community Center from October 7, 2026 to October 14, 2025.
Res. 2026-01, Commemorative Flag Schedule 2026 Page 2 of 3
3. Effective Date.
(a) This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
Certification of Adoption
I certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2026-01 was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the Town of Colma held on January 14, 2026 by the following vote:
Name Voting Present, Not Voting Absent
Aye No Abstain Not Participating
Carrie Slaughter, Mayor ✓
Helen Fisicaro ✓
Joanne F. del Rosario ✓
Thomas Walsh ✓
Ken Gonzalez ✓
Voting Tally 4
Dated '}:z\)~
Helen Fisicaro, Vice Mayor
Attest: ~LilOL ~~
Michelle Estabillo Gourlie, City Clerk
Res. 2026-01, Commemorative Flag Schedule 2026 Page 3 of 3