TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, CMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: June 20, 2023
SUBJECT: Retroactive Approval of Rotunda and Tower Lighting Sponsored by Council District 7 as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds
Recommendation
Retroactively approve the Rotunda and Tower Lighting scheduled on June 17-24, 2023 to recognize the San José Police Department Mobile Emergency Response Group and Equipment (MERGE) Unit 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. (Doan)
[Rules Committee referral 6/20/2023 - Item A.1.a]
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/20/2023
ITEM: 2.37
FILE NO: 23-963
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Councilmember Bien Doan
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 6/09/2023
Approved Date 6/09/2023
SUBJECT: RETROACTIVE APPROVAL OF ROTUNDA AND TOWER LIGHTING ON JUNE 17-24, 2023 TO RECOGNIZE THE SAN JOSE POLICE
DEPARTMENT MOBILE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GROUP AND
EQUIPMENT (MERGE) UNIT, SPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER
DOAN’S OFFICE AS A CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED SPECIAL EVENT
TO EXPEND CITY FUNDS
RECOMMENDATION
Retroactively approve the Tower and Rotunda Lighting on June 17-24, 2023 to recognize the San Jose Police Department MERGE Unit as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
BACKGROUND
For over 50 years, the Mobile Emergency Response Group and Equipment (MERGE) Unit has provided special skills and equipment to address critical incidents in the City of San Jose involving threats to life and has provided direct support to patro l personnel in the apprehension of violent criminals.
On the evening of February 3, 2023 during a vehicle stop, Patrol Field Training Officer Joseph Valverde and his trainee were fired at in an ambush style firearms attack with numerous rounds entering their patrol vehicle.
Displaying bravery and professionalism in the line of duty, the MERGE Unit arrived on scene where shortly after MERGE Officer Colin Bryan was shot in his ballistic plate and MERGE Officer Juan Cuellar was shot in his leg.
RULES AGENDA: 6/14/2023
ITEM: A.1.a
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
June 9, 2023
Subject: SJPD LIGHTING
Thanks to their high -level training and fortitude, the SJPD MERGE Unit took the suspect into custody alive without a single shot being made even after he harmed police officers.
On June 6, 2023, the San Jose Police Department, MERGE Unit, and Officers Valverde, Cuellar, and Bryan were recognized in a ceremonial item. The City Hall Tower and Rotunda will be lit in True Blue on June 17-24, 2023 in honor of the San Jose Police Department MERGE Unit.
ANALYSIS:
City Council Policy 7-14, City Hall Event Lighting Policy, Sections B.1 and C.1 allows Tower lighting in conjunction with proclamations for official actions or ceremonial items as approved by City Council. It also allows for extended lighting beyond one cycle between sundown and sunrise.
Approval by the City Council of the event will ensure compliance with the Council's prior direction regarding Council Special Events. Approval of this memorandum will enable Council Mayor’s Office, City departments, and the Office of the City Clerk to proceed with the event.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST
The Office of the City Clerk will post the item on the City's Website for the June 14, 2023, Rules Committee Agenda and the June 20, 2023, City Council Agenda,