TO: HON
ORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
S
UBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: September 24, 2025
S
UBJECT: Retroactive Approval of the Mexican Independence Day El Grito Event, Flag Raising and Rotunda 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.
R
ecommendation
A
s recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on September 24, 2025:
(a) Retroactively approve the Mexican Independence Day El Grito Event scheduled on September 15, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
(b) Retroactively approve the Mexican Flag Raising on September 15, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds. (c) Retroactively approve the Mexican Independence Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting from September 12 - 18, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
(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 9/24/2025 - Item B.5]
COUNCIL AGENDA: 9/30/2025
ITEM : 2.18
FILE NO: 25-1082
RULES COMMITTEE AGENDA: 9/18/25
ITEM:
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmember Ortiz
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: September 15th, 2025
APPROVED : DATE: 9/15/2025
SUBJECT: RETROACTIVE APPROVAL OF MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY EL
GRITO EVENT, FLAG RAISING AND LIGHTING SPONSORED BY
COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 AS A CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED SPECIAL
EVENT TO EXPEND CITY FUNDS AND ACCEPT DONATIONS OF
MATERIALS AND SERVICES FOR THE EVENT
RECOMMENDATION
1. Retroactively approve the Mexican Independence Day El Grito Event scheduled on September 15th, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Retroactively approve the Mexican Flag Raising on September 15th, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
3. Retroactively approve the Mexican Independence Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting from September 12 - 18, 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 the September 30th, 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 .
Mexican Independence Day El Grito will be held on September 15, 2025, at San José City Hall, sponsored by Councilmember Peter Ortiz. Council District 5 is partnering with the Consulate of Mexico and Comité de Fiestas Patrias de San José to host this special event, which includes a flag raising ceremony to honor the heritage and contributions of the Mexican American B.5
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 15, 2025
Subject: Mexican Independence Day El Grito
Rev 1/2018
community in San José. The event strengthens connections between city officials and the community while highlighting culture, music, art, economic development, and social activities.
Additionally, it provides a unique opportunity for community members to experience Mexican culture, access critical resources, and enjoy an evening of activities and live music.
To further enhance the celebrations taking place, the City Hall Tower and Rotunda was lit from September 12 - 18, 2025, in green, white, and red to commemorate of Mexican Independence Day.
The event is free and open to the public.
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 Special Event Lighting Policy, Sections B.1 and C.1 allows Tower lighting in conjunction with the Rotunda lighting, which may be displayed in conjunction with 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. In observance of existing fundraising disclosure requirements, Councilmember Peter Ortiz 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 5, 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 September 24, 2025, Rules Committee Agenda and the September 30, 2025 City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment.