COUNCIL AGENDA: 8/28/2024
ITEM: B.2
Memorandum
TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: Mayor Matt Mahan
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: August 16, 2024
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AND LIGHTING
RECOGNIZING ETHIOPIAN NEW YEAR AS A CITY SPONSORED SPECIAL
EVENT, TO EXPEND CITY FUNDS AND AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT
DONATIONS OF MATERIALS AND SERVICES FOR THE EVENT
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve the Ethiopian Flag Raising Event on September 06, 2024, as a City Councilsponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve the Tower Lighting on September 06, 2024, as a City Council-sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
3. Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the events.
4. Place the item on September 10, 2024, City Council Agenda for action.
DISCUSSION
On February 1, 2005, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 72517 which requires the Mayor and Councilmembers to submit a memorandum to the Rules Committee regarding proposed City Council sponsored Special Events and the proposed use of any funds. The Tower will be lit Green, Yellow, and Red on September 05, 2024, in honor of the Ethiopian New Year. This special event is to commemorate the Ethiopian New Year Celebration. The event is free and open to the public.
ANALYSIS
City Council Policy 7-14, City Hall Event Lighting Policy, Sections B.1 and C.1 allow Rotunda and Tower light 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 Ethiopian 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. In observance of existing fundraising disclosure requirements, Mayor Mahan 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 the 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 August 28, 2024 Rules Committee Agenda and September 10, 2024, City Council Agenda.
Reviewed by:
TONI J. TABER, CMC City Clerk
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.