DATE: April 6, 2026
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
FROM: Priscilla Schaus, Communications Director/City Clerk DEPARTMENT: Communications/City Clerk
SUBJECT: ADDING THE LGBTQIA+ PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG TO THE
APPROVED FLAG DISPLAY POLICY
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the resolution amending the City Hall Flag Display Policy (“Flag Policy”) to add the LGBTQIA+ Progress Pride flag as an approved alternative flag (not needing annual approval by resolution) to the City’s Flag Policy to be displayed each year in the month of June moving forward, and repeal City Resolution No. 2020-58.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2020, the San Mateo County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Commission initiated its Pride Month Visibility Campaign and each year, invites all cities and communities in San Mateo County to support the LGBTQIA+ community by recognizing Pride Month (June of each year).
At the City Council Annual Retreat on February 10, 2026, the City Council reviewed various processes for efficiency and discussed adding the LGBTQIA+ Progress Pride flag to the City’s Flag Policy since each year, City Council brings forth a resolution for the Pride Flag to be flown to show their support for the San Mateo County’s LGBTQIA+ Commission’s Pride Month Visibility Campaign during the month of June.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
The current Flag Policy was adopted on June 15, 2020. The purpose of the Flag Policy is to proscribe the protocol for flags to be displayed on the three-pronged flagpole that stands just outside the entrance to the City Council Chambers building (Council Chambers Flagpole). It identifies the flags that are to be regularly flown on each of the three prongs and the process by which the Council may direct that an alternate flag be flown for a temporary period. Except as provided herein, no alternate flags may be flown on the Council Chambers Flagpole.
Historically, the United States Flag, the California State Flag, and the City of Foster City Flag, or a combination thereof, have been flown on the three-pronged flagpole at City Hall. Per the Flag Policy, commemorative flags may be displayed if approved by the City Council.
Each year, the City receives a request from the San Mateo County LGBTQIA+ Commission to recognize June as “LGBTQIA+ Pride Month”. The request for support includes issuance of a Pride Month Proclamation and raising of the LGBTQIA+ Progress Pride Flag during the month of June. Since 2021, all 20 cities in San Mateo County, including the City of Foster City, have continued to issue a Proclamation and raise the Pride Flag in the month of June.
It is recommended that the City Council approve the resolution amending the City Hall Flag Display Policy to add the LGBTQIA+ Progress Pride flag as an approved alternative flag (not needing annual approval by resolution) to the City’s Flag policy to be displayed each year in the month of June moving forward, and repeal City Resolution No. 2020-58. This action would increase staff efficiency by streamlining the process, as the Pride Flag request would be automatically approved, rather than requiring Council approval by resolution annually.
California Environmental Quality Act
Not Applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact with this report.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
City Council Operations and Improved Community Engagement ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Redline - Flag Policy
Attachment 3 – Clean - Flag Policy