CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
5/27/2025
1 SUBJECT:
Adopt a Resolution Amending Administrative Policy No. 83, "Display of Flags at City Facilities" RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a Resolution Amending Administrative Policy No. 83, "Display of Flags at City Facilities" to allow for Display of Ceremonial Flags at additional City Facilities.
STAFF CONTACT:
Kevin Woodhouse, City Manager
(650) 738-7409
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On May 24, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 31-2021 adopting Administrative Policy No. 83, “Display of Flags at City Facilities” (Flag Policy). The Flag Policy standardizes the manner in which the national, State, City and Ceremonial flags are to be displayed at certain City of Pacifica facilities, establishes clear guidelines on the display of flags at City facilities, and declares that the City flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public.
The established Flag Policy identifies the following as a Ceremonial Flag which may be flown only for the time period specified in the policy: the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ, plus also Questioning, Intersex, and Allied/Asexual/Aromantic/Agender, or IA) flag, also known as the Rainbow Flag or Pride Flag. The Policy states that Ceremonial flags, as identified in the policy, will be flown at City Hall and on the Beach Boulevard Promenade only for the time specified, which for the Pride Flag is annually during the month of June to commemorate LGBTQ Pride Month.
The following is a summary of the Flag Policy:
1. Flags shall be displayed in accordance with Federal and State laws and regulations.
2. Authorizes the City to lower flags to half-staff based on the following occasions:
a. By required order through proclamation by the President of the United States b. By required order through proclamation by the Governor of California c. Memorial Day, last Monday of the month of May from sunrise to noon
3. Ceremonial Flags:
a. Only allows for the flying of a Ceremonial Pride Flag annually during the month of June
b. Can only be displayed on the City flagpole at City Hall and on Beach Boulevard In June 2024, Pacifica libraries staff inquired with the City about raising the Pride Flags at the Pacifica library locations at Sharp Park and Sanchez libraries during the month of June, as other library locations in the San Mateo County Libraries system displayed the Pride Flag during June. The library facilities are city-owned properties, so the handling and responsibilities of Pacifica City Council 2
May 27, 2025
facilities issues including the display of flags would be governed by city policies. The current City of Pacifica Flag Policy specified that display of ceremonial flags is limited to City Hall and the Beach Boulevard Promenade locations. The attached proposed revision to the Flag Policy would provide for the flexibility for Ceremonial Flags as identified in the policy to be flown at additional city-owned facilities such as the Pacifica Community Center, Sharp Park Library and Sanchez Library within the guidelines and requirements of the policy.
In addition, an edit to the Policy was incorporated in Section 2a. regarding Indoor Display - City Council Chambers to align the policy to the current practice in placement of the United States, California and City flags displayed inside Council Chambers.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The City Council could decline to amend the City Flag Policy and continue to act within the provisions established in the existing Policy or provide different direction to staff.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
Approval of the construction contract is consistent with the following Council adopted Goals:
“An Engaged Community” includes taking actions to restore trust in city government, expanding communication, and building community
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ORIGINATED BY:
City Manager's Office
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A: Adminstrative Policy #83 - Display Of Flags at City Facilities - Revised (Clean) (PDF)
Attachment B: Redline Version - Adminstrative Policy #83 - Display Of Flags at City Facilities (PDF)
Pacifica City Council 3
May 27, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY NO. 83 “THE DISPLAY OF FLAGS AT CITY FACILITIES” WHEREAS, on May 24, 2021 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 31-2021, establishing Administrative Policy No. 83, “The Display of Flags at City Facilities” (Flag Policy) to establish clear guidelines regarding the display of flags at City facilities and a uniform policy to govern the flying of the National, State and City flags on City-owned properties at half-staff; and
WHEREAS, the City’s policy declares that the City’s flagpole areas are not intended to be a forum for free expression by the public; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Flag Policy established a policy regarding the Ceremonial Pride Flag, which will be flown during the month of June at City Hall and on the City’s flagpole on Beach Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, the City’s desires to amend the Flag Policy to state that the Ceremonial Pride Flag may be flown at additional city-owned facilities such as the Pacifica Community Center, Sharp Park Library and Sanchez Library during the month of June in addition to the City Hall and Beach Boulevard Promenade locations; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Pacifica hereby amends Administrative Policy No. 83 as proposed in Attachment A, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
• • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 27th day of May 2025, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________
Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Pacifica City Council 4
May 27, 2025
_________________________ _________________________
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney Pacifica City Council 5
May 27, 2025
ATTACHMENT A