COUNCIL AGENDA : 8/12/2025
FILE : 25-866
ITEM : 2.18
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: August 6, 2025
SUBJECT: Approval and Retroactive Approval of Indian Flag Raising and Tower Lighting Sponsored by Council Districts 8 and 10 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 August 6, 2025:
(a) Approve the Indian Flag Raising event scheduled on August 15, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds; (b) Retroactively approve the Indian Independence Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting from August 11-17, 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. (Candelas and Casey)
[Rules Committee referral 8/6/2025 - Item B.10]
ROGC AGENDA: 8/6/25
ITEM: B.10
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmember Candelas
Councilmember Casey
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 7/31/2025
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE INDIAN FLAG RAISING AND TOWER LIGHTING SPONSORED BY COUNCIL DISTRICTS 8 AND 10 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 Indian Flag Raising event scheduled for August 15, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve the Indian Independence Day Lighting from August 11-17, 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 August 12, 2025, City 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 Indian Independence Day Flag Raising is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, in honor of India’s independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. Council District 8 and Council District 10 are partnering with the Association of Indo-Americans (AIA) and the Consulate General of India to celebrate this occasion with refreshments, cultural dances, and songs in the Rotunda, followed by the flag raising ceremony in the West Plaza. This event is free and open to the public.
The City will also light the Tower orange, white, and green, in honor of the flag of India, on August 11-17, 2025, to commemorate the rich history and diversity of Indo-American heritage in the City of San José.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Subject: Indian Flag Raising & Tower Lighting
Rev 1/2018
Lastly, Councilmember Candelas and Councilmember Casey will be presenting a joint proclamation recognizing August 15, 2025 as Indian Independence Day during the August 12, 2025, City Council meeting.
ANALYSIS
Council Policy 2-1, Section C.1, allows “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.”
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.
Approval by the City Council of the event will ensure compliance with the Council’s prior direction regarding Council Special Events. Additionally, approval of this memorandum will enable Council District 8, City departments, and the Office of the City Clerk to proceed with the lighting.
In observance of existing fundraising disclosure requirements, Councilmember Domingo Candelas and Councilmember George Casey 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 Districts 8 & 10, 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 6, 2025, Rules Committee Agenda and the August 12, 2025, City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment.