TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, CMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 22, 2022
SUBJECT: Approval of recognizing March 25, 2022 as Greek Independence Day Sponsored by Council District 9 as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event
Recommendation
As recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on March 16, 2022:
(a) Approve March 25, 2022 as Greek Independence Day as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds;
(b) Approve the Greek Flag Raising Ceremony scheduled on March 25, 2022 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds; and (c) Approve the Greek Independence Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting Ceremony as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
CEQA: Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment. (Foley)
[Rules Committee referral 3/16/2022 - Item B.4]
COUNCIL AGENDA: 3/22/2022
ITEM: 2.15
FILE NO: 22-420
RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: 03/16/2022
ITEM: B.4
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Councilmember Pam Foley
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 03/04/2022
Approved Date
03/04/2022
SUBJECT: Approval recognizing March 25, 2022, as Greek Independence Day Sponsored by Council District 9 as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve March 25, 2022, as Greek Independence Day as a City Council Sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve the Greek Flag Raising Ceremony on March 25, 2022, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
3. Approve the Greek Independence Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting Ceremony as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
4. Place the item on the Tuesday, March 22, 2022, City Council Agenda for action.
BACKGROUND
On March 25, 1821, the people of Greece began to end nearly four centuries of oppression under the Ottoman Empire.
With the fall of the Byzantine Empire, Greece fell under Ottoman rule in 1453. In response, Greece began producing small factions of revolutionaries. On March 25, 1821, Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at his monastery in Agia Lavras in the Peloponnese. “Freedom or Death” (Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος – Eleftheria i Thanatos) becomes the motto of the revolution.
By the end of March 1821, the Peloponnese officially declared war on the Ottomans. The Greeks then captured Athens in June 1822 and created their first constitution.
The Revolution ended with the Treaty of Adrianople (Treaty of Edirne), which was signed between Russia and Turkey on September 14, 1829.
Greece is given autonomy and recognized as an independent state in 1832. For the next 100 years, Greece slowly regains all her territory to what it is known today.
These events will celebrate the Greek community in San Jose and their meaningful relationship to March 25, 1821. The Greek community has made outstanding contributions to San Jose culture and community. The City of San Jose should honor Greek Americans by facilitating these events.
ANALYSIS
Approval by the City Council of the event will ensure compliance with the Council’s prior direction regarding Council Special Events. In observance of existing fundraising disclosure requirements, Councilmember Pam Foley will report any cash or in-kind donations received for the event on their Disclosure of Fundraising Report (DFR-1).
Approval of this memorandum will enable Council District 9, City departments and the Office of the City Clerk to proceed with the event. Any cash donations received will be processed pursuant to the City’s normal financial and budgetary procedures.
With City Council approval, the Greek Flag will be raised for seven days beginning March 25, 2022, and City Hall will be lit with blue and white lighting to honor Greek Independence Day for seven days too.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST
The Office of the City Clerk will post the item on the City’s Website for the March 16, 2022, Rules Committee Agenda and the March 22, 2022, City Council Agenda.
Reviewed by:
TONI J. TABER, CMC
City Clerk
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.