TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmember Peter Ortiz
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 6, 2024
Approved:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE CAMBODIAN FLAG RAISING AND CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR CITY HALL TOWER LIGHTING SPONSORED BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5
AS CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED SPECIAL EVENTS TO EXPEND CITY FUNDS AND ACCEPT DONATIONS OF MATERIALS AND SERVICES FOR THE EVENTS.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the Proclamation of Cambodian New Year in San José on April 9, 2024, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve the Cambodian Flag Raising on April 5, 2024, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
3. Approve the Cambodian New Year City Hall Tower Lighting from April 5, 2024, through April 12, 2024, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
4. Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the events.
5. Place the item on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, Council Agenda for action.
BACKGROUND
On February 1, 2005, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 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.
Cambodian New Year, falling on April 5, 2024, will be observed on the same day with a flag raising ceremony sponsored by Councilmember Ortiz. This event will honor the heritage and contributions of the Cambodian American community in San José.
Cambodian New Year will be Proclaimed on April 9, 2024, at City Hall and sponsored by Councilmember Ortiz. The Tower will be lit blue, white, and red, from April 5, 2024, through April 12, 2024, in honor of Cambodian New Year.
RULES COMMITTEE: 3/13/24
ITEM: B.4
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.
The raising of the Cambodian Flag is permitted under Council Policy 2-1, Section C.1 - Flags of Governments Recognized by the United States: “Flags of the governments recognized by the United States may be displayed upon the request of the Mayor, a member of the City Council or the City Manager.”
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 offices, 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 March 13th, Rules Committee Agenda and the March 19th, 2024, City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment.