COUNCIL AGENDA : 4/21/2026
FILE : 26-478
ITEM : 2.15
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
F ROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
C
ity Clerk
S
UBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: April 15, 2026
SUBJECT: Approval of the Eritrean Flag Raising Sponsored by Council District 6 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 April 15, 2026:
(a) Approve the Eritrean Flag Raising Event scheduled on May 20, 2026 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. (Mulcahy)
[Rules Committee referral 4/15/2026 - Item B.3]
CTTYOF ~
SANJOSE _____ M_e_m_o_ra_n_d_um_
CAP l'.D\L OF SILICON VALLEY
RULES COMMITTEE: 4/15/2025
ITEM: B.4
TO: RULES AND OPEN
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
FROM: Councilmember Michael Mulcahy
District 6
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 4/10/2026
Approved
Date:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE ERITREAN FLAG RAISING SPONSORED BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6 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 Eritrean Flag Raising Event Scheduled for May 20th , 2026 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the event.
3. Place the item on the April 21st , 2026, City Council Agenda for action.
BACKGROUND
On February 1, 2005, the City Council adopted Resolution 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.
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.” The Flag of Eritrea will be raised in a Flag Raising ceremony on May 20th , 2026 at San Jose City Hall West Plaza and is sponsored by Councilmember Mulcahy. This special event commemorates the historic return of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front forces to Asmara, marking the restoration of Eritrean independence on May 24, 1991, after a 30-year struggle against the Ethiopian military regime. Eritrean Independence Day is celebrated annually on May 24th. The event is free and open to the public.
CTTYOF ~
SANJOSE _____ M_em_ori_a_n_du_m_
CAPITAL OF SILICON VALLEY
RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
May 8, 2025
Subject: Eritrean Flag Raising
ANALYSIS
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 Michael Mulcahy 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 District 6, 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 April 15th , 2026, Rules Committee Agenda and the April 21st , 2026, City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment.
Reviewed by:
TONI J. TABER, CMC
City Clerk
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.