COUNCIL AGENDA : 3/11/2025
FILE : 25-227
ITEM : 2.15
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: February 26, 2025
SUBJECT: Approval of the Greek Flag Raising and Greek Independence Day Lighting Sponsored by Council District 9 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 February 26, 2025:
(a) Approve the Greek Flag Raising scheduled on March 21, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds;
(b) Approve the Greek Independence Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting from March 20, 2025 to March 25, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds; and
(c) Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the events.
CEQA: Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment. (Foley)
[Rules Committee referral 2/26/2025 - Item B.2]
RULES COMMITTEE AGENDA: 2/26/25
ITEM: B.2
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Vice Mayor Pam Foley
District 9
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 02/20/2025
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE GREEK FLAG RAISING AND GREEK
INDEPENDENCE DAY LIGHTING SPONSORED BY COUNCIL
DISTRICT 9 AS A CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED SPECIAL EVENT TO
EXPEND CITY FUNDS AND ACCEPT DONATIONS OF MATERIALS
AND SERVICES FOR THE EVENTS.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve the Greek Flag Raising scheduled on March 21, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve the Greek Independence Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting from March 20, 2025 to March 25, 2025 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 the March 11, 2025 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.
The Greek Independence Flag Raising Ceremony will be held on March 21, 2025 at City Hall and sponsored by Councilmember Pam Foley. This special event will celebrate the Greek community in San José and their meaningful relationship to March 25, 1821 when the people of Greece began to end nearly four centuries of oppression under the Ottoman Empire.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
02/20/2025
Subject: Greek Independence Day Flag Raising and Lighting
Rev 1/2018
The Greek community has made outstanding contributions to San Jose's culture and community.
The City of San José will honor Greek Americans by facilitating these events. The event is free and open to the public.
The display of the Greek Flag on March 21, 2025 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.
With City Council approval, the Greek Flag will be raised on March 21, 2025 and flown for seven days and City Hall will be lit for seven days with blue and white lighting to honor Greek Independence Day. City Council Policy 7-14, City Hall Event Lighting Policy, Sections B.1 and C.1 allows Tower and Rotunda 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.
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 Pam Foley 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 9, 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 February 26, 2025 Rules Committee Agenda and the March 11, 2025 City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment.
Reviewed by:
TONI J. TABER, CMC
City Clerk
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.