TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmember Omar
Torres- District 3
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: June 13th, 2024
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: RETROACTIVE APPROVAL OF FLAG RAISING RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH ON JUNE 17 - 21, 2024 AS A CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED
SPECIAL EVENT, AND ACCEPT DONATION OF MATERIALS FOR THE EVENT
RECOMMENDATION
1. Retroactively approve the Juneteenth Flag Raising scheduled on June 17th, 2024 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support these events.
3. Place the item on the August 13th, 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.
Juneteenth was Proclaimed for June 19, 2024 at the June 18, 2024 San José City Council meeting and sponsored by Councilmember Torres, Councilmember Kamei and Councilmember Candelas. The Juneteenth flag will be raised on June 17, 2024 with no ceremonial event. The flag will fly from June 17-21, 2024. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, celebrates June 19, 1865, as the end of slavery in the United States and marks the last of the newly freed Black men and women of Galveston, Texas to be notified. Juneteenth took place two years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, further serving as a reminder that no one is free until all are free. Juneteenth is the celebration and commemoration of Black RULES COMMITTEE AGENDA: 8/7/2024
ITEM: B.5
Americans’ freedom and power. Juneteenth is not just a day of remembrance of resiliency and persistence, but a day of empowerment, history, culture, and strength in unity.
The African American Community Services Agency (AACSA) holds an annual Juneteenth celebration. This year’s 2024 celebration marks AACSA’s 43rd year producing Juneteenth in the Streets Festival in San José. The Festival celebrates African American heritage and is an opportunity to educate the community on topics ranging from health to education and financial literacy.
ANALYSIS
The raising of the Juneteenth Flag is permitted under Council Policy 2- 1, Section C.3, Flags Displayed in Conjunction with Official Ceremonial Items: “Other flags may be displayed in conjunction with official actions, ceremonial items, or proclamations of the City Council.” Retroactive 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 August 7, 2024 Rules Committee Agenda and the August 13th, 2024, City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP10-069(c), City Administrative Activities.
Reviewed by:
TONI J. TABER, CMC
City Clerk
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.