COUNCIL AGENDA : 11/18/2025
FILE : 25-1231
ITEM : 2.26
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: November 12, 2025
SUBJECT: Approval of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Championship Flag Raising and Rotunda Lighting Sponsored by the Office of Mayor Mahan as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event Recommendation
As recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on November 12, 2025:
(a) Approve the National Women’s Soccer League Flag Raising and Rotunda Lighting scheduled on November 20, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds; and
(b) Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the event.
CEQA: Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment. (Mayor)
[Rules Committee referral 11/12/2025 - Item B.2]
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Mayor Mahan
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: November 6, 2025
Approved:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE (NWSL)
CHAMPIONSHIP FLAG RAISING AND ROTUNDA LIGHTING SPONSORED BY
THE OFFICE OF MAYOR MATT MAHAN AS A CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED
SPECIAL EVENT TO EXPEND CITY FUNDS AND ACCEPT DONATIONS OF MATERIALS AND SERVICES FOR THE EVENT.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the National Women’s Soccer League Flag Raising and Rotunda Lighting to be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the event.
3. Place the item on the November 18, 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.
San Jose’s selection as a host city for this championship celebrates the community’s enthusiasm for women’s professional sports and highlights the city’s growing role in supporting world-class athletic events. The NWSL continues to energize fans across the globe, drawing record attendance and expanding visibility for women’s sports at every level.
The Bay Area’s deep connection to women’s soccer, including icons such as Julie Foudy, Alex Morgan, Kelley O’Hara, and Bay FC’s Founding Four, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner, makes San Jose the ideal setting to celebrate the league’s top talent and the advancement of women’s sports.
ANALYSIS
ROGC AGENDA: 11/12/2025
ITEM: B.2
City Council Policy 7-14, City Hall Event Lighting Policy, Sections B.1 and C.1 allow 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. The raising of the National Women’s Soccer League is permitted under Council Policy 2- 1, Section C.3, Flags Displayed in Conjunction with Official Ceremonial Items: “Other flags may be displayed in conjunction with official actions, ceremonial items, or proclamations of the City Council.
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.