RULES COMMITTEE AGENDA: 5/27/26
ITEM: B.2
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Vice Mayor Pam Foley
District 9
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 05/18/2026
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: RETROACTIVE APPROVAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S
HOCKEY LEAGUE (PWHL) EXPANSION FLAG RAISING SPONSORED
BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 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 PWHL Expansion Flag Raising scheduled on May 19, 2026, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Retroactively approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the event.
3. Place the item on the June 9, 2026 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 PWHL Expansion Flag Raising will be held on May 19, 2026 at City Hall and sponsored by Vice Mayor Pam Foley. This special event will celebrate the PWHL adding a franchise in San José ahead of next season, bringing the league to 12 teams. San José joins Detroit, Hamilton and Las Vegas as the four expansion teams heading into the league’s fourth season. The event is free and open to the public.
With City Council approval, the PWHL Expansion Flag will be raised on May 19, 2026 and flown for two days.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
05/18/2026
Subject: Flag Raising
ANALYSIS
Per the league, the PWHL Expansion San Jose flag's colors will be orange, blue and white, “inspired by the San Jose flag and reflecting the Bay Area’s optimistic energy.” The orange is also a nod to the Sharks “and the region's historic orange groves, while blue evokes the beauty of California’s ocean coastline and sky.”
1 The raising of the PWHL Expansion San Jose 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.
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, Vice Mayor Pam Foley 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 9, 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 May 27, 2026 Rules Committee Agenda and the June 9, 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. 1 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-expansion-sanjose-2026-9.7203542