CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3212
CUPERTINO.GOV
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Date: April 21, 2026
Subject
Approval of Indian Independence Day Flag Raising as a City Sponsored Special Event on Friday August 14, 2026, to mark India's Independence Day on Saturday August 15, 2026 Recommended Action
Approve Indian Independence Day Flag Raising as a City Sponsored Special Event on Friday, August 14, 2026, to mark India’s Independence Day on Saturday August 15, 2026 Reasons for Recommendation and Available Options
On April 7, 2026, the City Council approved Resolution No. 26-034 establishing a policy on flags on City property (Attachment A). The adopted policy requires City Council approval for any commemorative flags, thereby ensuring consistency, transparency, and adherence to standards in all flag-related practices. The City has received a request for the 2026 India Independence Day flag raising event from the Bhubaneswar Sister City Committee.
The City has been celebrating India’s Independence day annually with a commemorative flag raising since 2017. It honors Cupertino’s connection to India and to our sister city and highlights the importance of diversity and cultural celebration. This event has been hosted by the Cupertino-Bhubaneswar Sister City Committee and has typically been held at the Cupertino Civic Center in August of each year.
Regarding the cost to the City, staff time is generally used to assist the committee with logistical and technical support, including setting up tables and chairs, marketing the event on social media, and providing video/audio support. In 2025, staff estimates that the total time spent supporting this event was about 30 hours. Other than staff time, the City had no other expenses for this event.
Next steps
If approved, the City will notify the Sister City Committee and work with them to prepare the 2026 flag raising similar to how it was done in 2025. If not approved, the City will notify the Sister City Committee and may consider proposing this again for 2027.
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
In 2025, staff spent a total of 30 hours on this event, which results in some costs to the City.
City Work Program (CWP) Item/Description
None
Council Goal
Public Engagement and Transparency
California Environmental Quality Act
No California Environmental Quality Act impact.
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Prepared by: Astrid Robles, Senior Management Analyst Samantha LoCurto, Communications and Marketing Coordinator Reviewed by: Kirsten Squarcia, Deputy City Manager
Floy Andrews, Interim City Attorney
Approved for Submission by: Tina Kapoor, City Manager
Attachments:
A - Adopted Flag Raising Policy