COUNCIL AGENDA : 3/18/2025
FILE : 25-271
ITEM : 2.13
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 13, 2025
SUBJECT: Approval of Proclamation of Cambodian New Year, Cambodian Flag Raising, and 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
As recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on March 12, 2025:
(a) Approve the proclamation of Cambodian New Year in San José scheduled on April 8, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds; (b) Approve the Cambodian Flag Raising scheduled on April 4, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds; (c) Approve the Cambodian New Year Tower Lighting scheduled on April 4 - April 10, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds; and (d) 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. (Ortiz)
[Rules Committee referral 3/12/2025 - Item B.3]
RULES COMMITTEE: 3/12/2025
ITEM: B.3
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmember Peter Ortiz
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 6, 2025
Approved:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE PROCLAMATION OF CAMBODIAN NEW
YEAR, CAMBODIAN FLAG RAISING, AND 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 8, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve the Cambodian Flag Raising on April 4, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
3. Approve the Cambodian New Year Tower Lighting on April 4 to April 10, 2025, 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 event.
5. Place the item on Tuesday, March 18th, 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.
Cambodian New Year, falling on April 14, 2025, will be observed on April 4, 2025 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.
RULES COMMITTEE:
ITEM:
It will be Proclaimed on April 8, 2025, at City Hall and sponsored by Councilmember Ortiz. The Tower will be lit blue, red, and white on April 4, to April 10, 2025 in honor of Cambodian New Year.
ANALYSIS
City Council Policy 7-14, City Hall Event Lighting Policy, Section B.1 and C.1 allow 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 12th, Rules Committee Agenda and the March 18th, 2025, City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment.