Commemorative Flag Policy
City Council Meeting
October 18, 2022
Flag Use Today
Standard Flags include the United States, State of California, City of Huntington Beach, and Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flags. These flags are flown at most major City facilities.
Commemorative Flags are an expression of the City’s official stance on certain matters in the City. They are flown at select times and locations.
AR 705 – Flag Policy
Administrative Regulations (AR) are internal operating procedures that are approved by the City Manager per Charter section 401.
Since flags play an important role in communicating the City’s official sentiments in the community, staff has prepared AR 705 to:
Ensure uniform and proper flag etiquette
Establish locations and dates when Standard flags are displayed Clarify the process to select and display Commemorative flags Provide general guidelines and exceptions
AR 705 – Flag Policy
Tonight – staff requests City Council direction on Section 5 of AR 705 (Commemorative Flags), since these flag types are within the Council’s purview.
If approved, Section 5 will be incorporated into AR 705, approved by the City Manager, and implemented immediately.
Commemorative Flags - Policy
City-owned flagpoles are defined as a place of expression for the City’s official stance on select matters. They are not public forums for free expression. (This is pursuant to US Supreme Court ruling in Shurtleff v. City of Boston) Only the City Council - as the City’s official representatives – is authorized to select Commemorative Flags for display at City-owned flagpoles.
Flags must be approved at a duly noticed Council meeting.
Commemorative Flags – Policy (cont’d)
Public Works will maintain an ongoing record of all approved flags and display dates.
Flags may be flown for up to 45 days at Civic Center and/or according to City Council resolution.
Commemorative Flags must be positioned subordinate to all Standard Flags.
Sister City flags (Anjo, Japan and Manly, Australia) are also considered Commemorative Flags and may be flown during Sister City-related events.
Recommendation
Approve the Commemorative Flags policy (AR 705, Section 5) and adopt into the City Council Manual, and Receive and file AR 705: Citywide Flag Policy.