TO: RULES AND OPEN
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
FROM: Councilmember Bien Doan
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: April 20, 2026
Approved Date:
4/20/2026
SUBJECT: RETROACTIVE APPROVAL OF LIGHTING FOR LIGHT THE NIGHT FOR FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS SPONSORED BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 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 Tower and Rotunda lighting for Light the Night scheduled for May 2-3, 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 May 5, 2026 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 Tower and Rotunda will be lit in red to honor and pay tribute to our fallen firefighters. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation created Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters. Since its creation, this event has expanded to include not only fire stations but private residences, public buildings and more. Councilmember Bien Doan is sponsoring the lighting of the Tower and Rotunda which will take place on May 2-3, 2026.
ANALYSIS
RULES COMMITTEE: 4/29/26
ITEM: B.2
RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
April 29, 2026
Subject: Light the Night Lighting Memo
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.
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 Bien Doan 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 7, 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 29, 2026 Rules Committee Agenda and the May 5, 2026 City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-010, City Organization & Administrative Activities 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.