Item No. 15
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: April 14, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Fermin Preciado, Director of Development Services/City Engineer Todd Gutjahr, Public Works Analyst Wirt, TG,
SUBJECT: City of Yucaipa Flag Display Policy
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council review and direct staff as appropriate regarding a City Flag Display Policy.
BACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION:
The City of Yucaipa currently does not have an adopted Flag Display Policy for the United States Flag, the California State Flag, or the Yucaipa City Flag. For many years, the City's practice has been to lower the flag to half-staff at Yucaipa City Hall and other City -owned or City -operated facilities based on the direction of the President of the United States, the Governor of the State of California, or when there is a death of either an active City employee or of a City of Yucaipa resident serving in the armed forces (Tyler Davis 2012).
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCSD) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CalFire) have their own adopted flag display policies and the flags displayed at the Yucaipa Police Department Facility (Police Station) and the three (3) fire stations within the City follow those respective policies.
In 2014, a Covina Police Department officer was killed in a motorcycle accident while on duty. Per the SBCSD flag policy, the flag at the Police Station was displayed at half-staff until completion of the officer's funeral. The City, however, did not fly the City Hall flag at half-staff due to the City's past practice.
With the construction and opening of the Police Station next to City Hall just prior to the death of the Covina Police Department officer in 2014, the proximity of the flag displays at City Hall and the Police Station highlighted the noticeable difference between the SBCSD Flag Display Policy and the City's flag display practice since the Police Station flag was at half-staff and the City Hall flag was at full staff.
In October of 2014, City Council reviewed and discussed the preparation and adoption of a City of Yucaipa Flag Display Policy. As part of the discussion, the SBCSD Flag Display Policy and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CalFire) Flag Display Policy were also reviewed and considered in the discussion. After the City Council discussion, it was determined that a
City of Yucaipa Flag Display Policy would not be prepared and no changes were made to the City's flag display practice.
In 2021, the unfortunate death of a SBCSD Sergeant and resident of Yucaipa Dominic Vaca, who was killed in the line of duty, led to the lowering of the flags to half-staff at all City facilities based on City Council's direction.
On March 17, 2025, SBCSD Deputy Hector Cuevas was killed in the line of duty in the City of Victorville. On March 24, 2025, the City Council directed staff to lower the City Hall flag to half-staff in honor of Deputy Cuevas and directed staff to agendize the City of Yucaipa Flag Display Policy for City Council discussion at a future meeting and provide direction to staff.
The City of Yucaipa displays several different flags at City Hall and other City -owned or City -operated facilities, including the United States flag, the State of California flag, the City of Yucaipa flag and the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag. The Police Station also displays the County of San Bernardino flag.
Staff recommends that the City Council review and discuss a City of Yucaipa Flag Display Policy and direct staff as appropriate. A Draft City of Yucaipa Flag Display Policy is attached for City Council's consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Attachments:
1. Draft City of Yucaipa Flag Display Policy
Approved by:
ATTACHMENT 1
DRAFT
Flag Display Policy
I. Purpose
This policy establishes guidelines for the proper display of the United States Flag, the California State Flag, and the Yucaipa City Flag at Yucaipa City Hall and other City -owned or City -operated facilities. It is intended to ensure a consistent and respectful approach that honors the flags' significance and symbolism in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
II. Scope
This policy applies to all facilities owned or otherwise operated by the City of Yucaipa, including (but not limited to) City Hall, community centers, public safety buildings, and recreational facilities.
This policy may be adopted by other government agencies, civic groups, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals within the City of Yucaipa.
III. Order of Precedence
A. In accordance with federal and state statutes and regulations, the following order of precedence applies:
1. United States Flag (American Flag)
References: U.S. Flag Code, 4 U.S.C. §§ 1-10; 4 U.S.C. § 7 (Position and Manner of Display); 36 U.S.C. §§ 171-178 (Patriotic Customs and Observances)
2. California State Flag
References: California Government Code §§ 430-439 (Provisions relating to the State Flag); California Government Code § 436 (Display of State Flag subordinate to the U.S. Flag)
3. City of Yucaipa Flag
B. When flags are displayed together on separate flagpoles:
1. The American Flag shall be flown in the position of highest honor, which from the position of the observer, shall be on the far left.
2. The California State Flag shall be flown to the immediate right of the American Flag.
3. The Yucaipa City Flag shall be flown to the right of the California State Flag.
C. When flags are displayed on a single flagpole:
1. The American Flag shall be at the top,
2. The California State Flag beneath it,
3. The Yucaipa City Flag beneath the California State Flag.
D. All displays shall conform to the relevant U.S. Flag Code provisions and California Government Code sections.
IV. Display Protocol
The following protocol is established in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 1-10, 36 U.S.C. §§ 171-178) and California Government Code §§ 430-439:
A. Time and Occasions for Display
1. Sunrise to Sunset: Flags should generally be displayed from sunrise to sunset.
2. Nighttime Display: Flags may remain displayed at night if there is adequate illumination.
3. Holidays and Special Observances: Flags shall be displayed on federal and state holidays, as well as during local civic or ceremonial occasions designated by the Mayor.
B. Raising and Lowering the Flags
1. Order of Raising: The American Flag shall be raised first, followed by the California State Flag, and finally the City of Yucaipa Flag.
2. Order of Lowering: The City of Yucaipa Flag shall be lowered first, followed by the California State Flag, and finally the American Flag.
C. Inclement Weather: Flags should not be displayed during inclement weather that could damage them unless an all-weather flag is used. If an all-weather flag is not available or suitable, flags should be taken down during severe weather and re -displayed when conditions allow.
D. Condition of the Flags
1. Regular Inspection: All flags shall be inspected regularly for tears, fading, or other damage.
2. Retirement and Replacement: Unserviceable flags shall be retired in a dignified manner and replaced promptly. The City Manager or designee shall maintain an adequate inventory of replacement flags.
V. Half -Staff Observances
A. United States Flag
1. Federal and State Proclamations: The American Flag shall be flown at half-staff in accordance with proclamations by the President of the United States or the Governor of California.
2. City -Authorized Observances: The Mayor may order the American Flag to be flown at half-staff to honor deceased City officials, public safety partner officials or other individuals of significance to the City of Yucaipa, consistent with this policy.
B. California State Flag and Yucaipa City Flag
1. Concurrent Lowering: When the American Flag is flown at half-staff, the California State Flag and the Yucaipa City Flag (on separate poles) shall also be lowered to half-staff.
2. Single Flagpole: If flags are on a single pole, the American Flag shall be at half-staff with other flags positioned beneath it, also at half-staff.
C. Raising/Lowering Procedure for Half -Staff
1. Raising to Half -Staff: Raise the flag to the peak momentarily, then lower it to half-staff.
2. Lowering from Half -Staff: Raise the flag to the peak again before lowering it completely.
VI. Responsibility and Compliance
A. Enforcement
1. Supervision: The City Manager or designee shall oversee compliance with this policy at all City facilities.
2. Department Directors: Directors of each City department and facility supervisors shall ensure that City employees or volunteers who handle the flags are aware of and follow this policy.
3. Periodic Training: The City shall provide periodic reminders or training materials regarding flag etiquette and these policy requirements to staff responsible for raising or lowering flags.
B. Policy Updates and Revisions
1. Amendments: The City Council retains the authority to amend this policy.
2. Recommendations: The City Manager may recommend updates to align with changes in federal or state law, or to improve clarity and operations.