COUNCIL AGENDA : 10/20/2026
FILE : 26-1089
ITEM : 2.9
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Toni Taber, MMC
City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: October 9, 2026
SUBJECT: Approval of Proclamation, Flag Raising and Lighting Recognizing Taiwan Retrocession Day Sponsored by Council District 5 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 October 7, 2026:
(a) Approve the proclamation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Retrocession Day scheduled on October 20, 2026, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
(b) Approve the Taiwanese Flag Raising scheduled on October 23, 2026, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds. (c) Approve the Republic of China (Taiwan) Retrocession Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting scheduled from October 20-26, 2026, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
(d) 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. (Ortiz)
[Rules Committee referral 10/20/2026 - Item B.4]
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmember Peter Ortiz
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 8/26/2026
Approved:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PROCLAMATION, FLAG RAISING AND LIGHTING
RECOGNIZING TAIWAN RETROCESSION DAY SPONSORED BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 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 Proclamation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Retrocession Day on October 20, 2026, as a City Council-sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve the Taiwanese Flag Raising on October 23, 2026, as a City Council-sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
3. Approve the Republic of China (Taiwan) Retrocession Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting from October 20 to October 26, 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 event.
5. Place the item on Tuesday, October 20, 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 Republic of China (Taiwan) Retrocession Day will be observed with a flag-raising ceremony sponsored by Councilmember Ortiz on October 23rd, 2026. This event will honor the heritage and contributions of the Taiwanese American community in San José.
ROGC AGENDA: 10/7/26
ITEM: B.4
The proclamation will be made on October 20th, 2026, at City Hall and sponsored by Councilmember Ortiz. The Tower and the Rotunda will be lit in red, white, and blue from October 20th through October 26th, 2026, in honor of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Retrocession Day.
ANALYSIS
City Council Policy 7-14, City Hall Event Lighting Policy, Sections B.1, B.3, and C.1, allows Rotunda and Tower lighting in conjunction with proclamations for official actions or ceremonial items, as approved by City Council. It also allows extended lighting beyond a single cycle between sundown and sunrise.
The raising of the Republic of China (Taiwan) 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. Approval of this memorandum will enable Council District 5, City departments, and the Office of the City Clerk to proceed with the event.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST
The Office of the City Clerk will post the item on the City’s Website for the October 7, 2026, Rules Committee Agenda and the October 20, 2026, City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment.