COUNCIL AGENDA : 12/2/2025
FILE : 25-1275
ITEM : 2.14
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: November 19, 2025
SUBJECT: Retroactive Approval and Approval of Various Events 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 November 19, 2025:
(a) Retroactively approve the Tower Lighting for the National Women’s Soccer League Championship Welcome scheduled on November 20-22, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds;
(b) Approve the World AIDS Day Flag Raising scheduled on December 2, 2025, World AIDS Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting scheduled for December 1-4, 2025, and World AIDS Day Quilt Display in the Rotunda on December 1-2, 2025, as City Council sponsored Special Events and approve the expenditure of funds;
(c) Approve the Music in the Valley Festival scheduled on May 2, 2026 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. (Foley)
[Rules Committee referral 11/19/2025 - Item B.3]
ROGC DATE: 11/19/25
ITEM: B.3
TO: RULES & OPEN
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
FROM: Vice Mayor Pam Foley
District 9
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: 11/13/2025
APPROVED:
DATE: 11/13/2025
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF VARIOUS EVENTS SPONSORED BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9
AS CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED SPEICAL EVENTS TO EXPEND CITY FUNDS AND ACCEPT DONATIONS OF MATERIALS AND SERVICES FOR THE EVENTS.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve the Tower Lighting for the National Women’s Soccer League Championship Welcome scheduled on November 20-22, 2025 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve the World AIDS Day Flag Raising scheduled on December 2, 2025, World AIDS Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting scheduled for December 1-4, 2025, and World AIDS Day Quilt Display in the Rotunda on December 1-2, 2025, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
3. Approve the Music in the Valley Festival scheduled on May 2, 2026 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 events.
5. Place the item on the December 2, 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.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
11/13/2025
Subject: Special Events
The National Women’s Soccer League Championship Welcome Reception will be held at the Janet Gray Hayes Rotunda on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The Welcome Reception will welcome the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship to San José as the Championship match is taking place on Saturday, November 22 at Pay Pal Park in San José, one of the premier soccer venues in North America. Members of the National Women’s Soccer League, the San Jose Sports Authority, and elected officials will be invited. The goal of the Welcome Reception is to commemorate the special sporting event and increase visibility for the City of San José. On September 9, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. RES2025- 316 authorizing “Free Use” for the Welcome Reception.1 Lighting the City Hall Tower from November 20-22, 2025 will be held in conjunction with the Welcome Reception and the Championship match.
The World AIDS Day Flag Raising will be held on December 2, 2025 and the Tower and Rotunda Lighting will be held on December 1-December 4, 2025 at the City Hall Plaza and sponsored by Vice Mayor Pam Foley. The Worlds AIDS Day Quilt Display in the Rotunda will be on December 1 and December 2, 2025. These special events bring together community members to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate people who have died due to HIV. The events are free and open to the public.
The Music in the Valley Festival will be held on May 2, 2026 at Cambrian Park Plaza and sponsored by Vice Mayor Pam Foley. This event showcases the musical talents of middle and high school students across District 9 and featuring local professional bands, offering all-day live music and family-friendly activities such as a rock climbing wall, bounce houses, community resource booths, and arts and crafts. The event will also include local artisan vendors, new for 2026. This event fosters community engagement, supports our local economy, and provides a platform for music to shine in our corner of San José. It brings together families, businesses, and organizations in a celebration of creativity and culture.
ANALYSIS
Lighting City Hall Tower in Decibel Cyan, Mission Magenta & Twilight Purple will further commemorate the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League Championship to San José and increase visibility for the City of San José. 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.
The display of the World AIDS Day Flag 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.” Lighting the Tower and Rotunda in red is a symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. City Council Policy 7-14, City Hall Event Lighting Policy, Sections B.1 and C.1 allows Rotunda and Tower lighting in conjunction with proclamations for official actions or ceremonial items as approved by City Council.
1 https://records.sanjoseca.gov/Resolutions/RES2025-316.pdf.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
11/13/2025
Subject: Special Events
Approval by the City Council of the events will ensure compliance with the Council’s prior direction regarding Council Special Events. In observance of existing fundraising disclosure requirements, the sponsoring Councilmember will report any cash or in-kind donations received for the event on their Disclosure of Fundraising Reports (DFR-1). Approval of this memorandum will enable Council District 9, City departments and the Office of the City Clerk to proceed with the events. 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 November 19, 2025 Rules Committee Agenda and the December 2, 2025 City Council Agenda.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Clerk’s Office and City Attorney’s Office.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment.
REVIEWED BY:
TONI J. TABER, MMC
City Clerk
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.