TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, CMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: September 26, 2023
SUBJECT: Retroactive Approval of Fiesta Patrias Reception, Mexican Flag Raising, and Lighting Events Sponsored by Council District 3 as City Council Sponsored Special Events to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Events
Recommendation
As recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on September 20, 2023:
(a) Retroactively approve the Fiesta Patrias Reception Event scheduled on September 14, 2023, the Mexican Flag Raising Event schedule on September 15, 2023 and the Mexican American Heritage Lighting scheduled from September 14 to September 21, 2023 as City Council sponsored Special Events and approve the expenditure of funds; and (b) Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the event.
CEQA: Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment. (Torres)
[Rules Committee referral 9/20/2023 - Item B.1]
COUNCIL AGENDA: 9/26/2023
ITEM: 2.17
FILE NO: 23-1312
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmember Omar
Torres- District 3
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: September 6, 2023
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: RETROACTIVE APPROVAL OF THE FIESTA PATRIAS RECEPTION,
MEXICAN FLAG RAISING, AND LIGHTING EVENTS SPONSORED BY
COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 AS A CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED SPECIAL EVENT
TO EXPEND CITY FUNDS AND ACCEPT
DONATIONS OF MATERIALS AND
SERVICES FOR THE EVENT
RECOMMENDATION
1. Retroactively Approve the Fiesta Patrias Reception Event scheduled on September 14th,2023, the Mexican Flag Raising Event schedule on September 15th, and the Mexican American Heritage Lighting (September 14th to September 21st, 2023) as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Retroactively approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the event.
3. Place the item on the September 26th, 2023, Council Agenda for action.
BACKGROUND
On February 1, 2005, the City Council adopted Resolution 72517 which requires Councilmembers to submit a memorandum to the Rules Committee regarding proposed City Council sponsored Special Events and the proposed use of any funds.
The Fiesta Patrias Reception event was held on September 14th, 2023 at San José City Hall Rotunda and sponsored by Councilmember Omar Torres. This special event allowed San José elected officials to meet with community organizers, leaders, and advocates to promote and celebrate Mexican Independence Day. This reception helped develop and foster a stronger relationship between community leaders, organizers, and adovcates with their city officials by promoting culture, music, art, economic development, and social activities. The event was free and open to the public.
RULES AGENDA:
ITEM:
9/20/2023
B.1
Not a Project, File No. PP10-069(c), City Administrative Activities. Exempt, File No. PP12-080. Minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effect on the environment.
Exempt, File No. PP13-056, Activities associated with citywide litter clean-up activities. Exempt, File No. PP11-046, Graffiti removal services.
Reviewed by:
TONI J. TABER, CMC
City Clerk
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.
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 Omar Torres 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 3, 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.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST
The Office of the City Clerk will post the item on the City’s Website for the September 13th,2023, Rules Committee Agenda and the September 19th, 2023, City Council Agenda.
CEQA
The Mexican Flag Raising Ceremony event hosted on September 15th, 2023, at the City Hall Plaza celebrated Mexican Independence Day and provided a special opportunity for community members to interact with the mexican culture, access critical resources, and while enjoying an evening full of activities and music. This event was sponsored by Councilmember Omar Torres.
The display of the Mexican Flag on August 23rd, 2023, is permitted under Council Policy 2-1, Section C.3 - Flag Displayed in Conjuction with Official Ceremonial Items: "Other flags may be displayed in conjunction with official actions, ceremonial items, or proclamations of the City Council.
To further enhance the celebrations taking place, the City Hall Rotunda was lit from September 14th to 21st in green, white and red to provided an opportunity for the community to come together to take photos and enjoy the display of Mexican American Heritage. City Council 7-14, City Hall Event Lighting Policy, Sections B.1 and C.1 allows Rotunda and Tower lighting in conjunction with proclamations for official actions or ceremonial items as approved by City Council.
The event was free and open to the public.