From: Sue Bock
To: City Clerk (Public); City Council
Subject: Public comment for 5/6/26 flag meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 12:00:46 PM
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Good Day
As a 20+ years resident of San Ramon, I take pride that we find a welcoming city atmosphere for all.
In the last 20 years we have exploded in diversity, population, and differing opinions. Yet, kindness has been at the heart of most city residents.
In my opinion, when we fly any flag in San Ramon, it’s a sense of pride that we honor, commemorate, or acknowledge marginal communities, especially in the divisive political that we face across the United States. This might be even a reason that San Ramon is recognized as one of the best cities to live in, in the United States.
Stating clear messages regarding flag displays in policy will help to clarify for everyone the importance of all those who live in San Ramon. The flag program is a government message, not a public forum for private expression.
With that said, within those policies that if a governing body becomes closed minded to inclusivity, there will be a feeling that the marginalized will fear exclusion. I know it’s a fine line, yet when people and emotions are involved, it becomes more than about case law. It’s about human beings wanting to be accepted.
Please keep my thoughts in mind when you are creating new policy in this instance and every instance for decisions made in the city of San Ramon.
Thank you for the opportunity to have my statements shared.
My regards
Sue Bock
From: austin nicolas
To: City Clerk (Public)
Subject: Public Comment
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 11:49:13 AM
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Name: Austin
Item: Flag Policy
To the San Ramon City Policy Committee,
The Pride Flag must be flown every June.
The flag represents the diversity of the human experience, the inclusion of those who are different, and the hope for a better world. In these times of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation including stripping away drivers licenses and bounties in restrooms, it is crucial that San Ramon makes clear which side of history it is on. The city where we work and play and live must be a place where everyone is not just tolerated, but uplifted and celebrated. The LGBTQIA+ community is loved and supported by the broader San Ramon community and our city flags must show this. When others back down and give in to the threat of fascism, we must stand strong and firm in our support for the most marginalized.
Thanks,
Austin
From: Douglas Medlin
To: City Clerk (Public)
Subject: Public Comment -- Commemorative Flag Policy
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 12:22:03 PM
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To:San Ramon City Policy Committee
Re: Commemorative Flag Policy
Dear Members of the San Ramon Policy Committee:
I understand that you will be reviewing the City's commemorative flag policy at your meeting on May 6, 2026.
I strongly encourage you to continue to support flying the Progress-Pride Flag every June, as the City has done for many years. This flag is an important symbol of inclusion and welcome for our city's LGBTQ+ community. The importance of the Progress-Pride Flag was made clear by the majority of public comments at the beginning of last week's City Council meeting (April 28th), and I encourage you to carefully consider the comments presented there in your deliberations.
I would also encourage the policy committee to explore ways in which the Commemorative Flagpole could be employed to celebrate and up-lift other communities within our city.For instance, the city might consider flying the Black American Heritage flag (or equivalent) as part of our celebrations of Black History Month in February.
Similarly, perhaps we could fly the POW/MIA flag in November in recognition of Veteran's Day.
My recommendation is that the City reach out to
communities within our city to solicit input on appropriate commemorative flags that could be displayed on the Commemorative Flagpole and, importantly, how the display of such flags could be coordinated with other city activities and recognition events to amplify the welcoming and honoring nature of the flags.In my view, as long as the commemorative flags remain secular and non-partisan, they afford a wonderful opportunity for San Ramon to express its appreciation and recognition to the many important groups that make up our city.
Sincerely,
Douglas L. Medlin
San Ramon, CA