PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 04/21/25
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDERATION OF THE SAN PABLO CITY COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE A REQUEST FROM COUNCILMEMBER RITA XAVIER TO FLY A COMMEMORATIVE FLAG AT THE CIVIC CENTER FLAG POLE FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE 2025 RECOGNIZING LESBIAN, GAY, BI-SEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUESTIONING COMMUNITY (LGBTQ) PRIDE MONTH
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. The City Manager recommends formal consideration of this commemorative flag request from Councilmember Xavier in accordance with the adopted City of San Pablo Policy on Display of Flags requirements adopted via Resolution 2020-061 on May 18, 2020; and/or
2. Provide further direction by majority vote.
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2025-27 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
Under Major Policy Goal: Enhance Community Resilience: Policy No. #101 - Continue development of multi-diversity, equity and inclusion practices in all City programs and services; and Policy No. #205 - Promote civic engagement and awareness in all City programs/services are adopted policy items under the FY 2025-27 Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
BACKGROUND
On May 18, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 2020-061, which approved a new City of San Pablo Policy on Display of Flags for City Hall flagpole(s), and set forth procedures for formal requests as the need arises (See Attachments).
LGBTQ Rainbow Flag Request for June 2025
At the end of the April 7, 2025 City Council regular meeting, on motion made by Councilmember Xavier and duly seconded, the City Council approved by majority vote to formally consider a commemorative flag request from Councilmember Xavier to display a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community rainbow flag at the New City Hall Flag pole for the entire month of June 2025 to symbolize the City’s celebration of multi-ethnic and cultural diversity, and support for the LGBTQ community.
Procedurally, as outlined in the attached adopted policy under Section 3. Commemorative Flags, the City Council shall only consider a request to display a commemorative flag if the request is made by a member of the San Pablo City Council, and a majority of the City Council members agree to place the discussion on the agenda for a regular or special City Council meeting. Requests to fly a commemorative flag by members of the public will not be considered per the City Council’s adopted policy.
If the City Council approves such a request by majority vote, the commemorative flag shall be displayed for a period of time that is reasonable or customary for the subject that is to be commemorated, but no longer than thirty (30) continuous days (i.e. Month of June 2025)
San Pablo City Hall at 1000 Gateway Boulevard, San Pablo
Pursuant to Section 2, subpart C of the adopted policy, all Commemorative Flags must adhere to the following policy requirements, as follows:
a. As expression of the City’s official government speech, the City Council may authorize the display of a Commemorative Flag to fly below the City of San Pablo flag at the San Pablo City Hall flagpoles only.
b. The City Council shall only consider a request to display a Commemorative Flag if the request is made by a member of the San Pablo City Council and a majority of the City Council members agrees to place the discussion on the agenda for a regular or special City Council meeting. Requests to fly a Commemorative Flag by members of the public will not be considered.
c. At a noticed and agendized City Council meeting, a majority of Council Members must agree to fly the Commemorative Flag.
d. Commemorative Flags shall be displayed for a period of time that is reasonable or customary for the subject that is to be commemorated, but no longer than thirty (30) continuous days.
e. Commemorative Flags must be temporarily donated for the City’s use and be clean, without holes and tears, and be made of an all-weather fabric. Commemorative Flags must be the same size or smaller than the United States, California and San Pablo flags that are flown. The City will not be responsible for the condition of the Commemorative Flag once flown and may dispose of any Commemorative Flags not picked up within 30 days after it has been flown. The City will not purchase Commemorative Flags to fly on the City Hall flagpole.
f. If any other flag is flown at half-staff, the Commemorative Flag will also be flown at half-staff.
g. A Commemorative Flag as defined in this Policy shall mean a flag that identifies with a specific historical event, cause, nation or group of people that the City Council choses to honor or commemorate consistent with the City’s mission and priorities. The following are not allowed as Commemorative Flags and will not be considered by the City Council:
i. Flags of a particular religious movement or creed to avoid the appearance of City government endorsing religion or a particular religious movement or creed;
ii. Flags of a political party to avoid the appearance of City government endorsing a political party; and
iii. Flags advocating a certain outcome in an election.
Furthermore, Section 3, subpart e of the attached policy, the following requirements will apply if City Council approves the commemorative flag request by majority vote, as follows:
• Commemorative Flags must be temporarily donated for the City’s use and be clean, without holes and tears, and be made of an all-weather fabric.
• Commemorative Flags must be the same size or smaller than the United States, California and San Pablo flags that are flown.
• The City will not be responsible for the condition of the Commemorative Flag once flown and may dispose of any Commemorative Flags not picked up within 30 days after it has been flown.
• The City will not purchase Commemorative Flags to fly on the City Hall flagpole.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. A commemorative LGBTQ rainbow flag was privately-donated to the City of San Pablo which meets the City’s current adopted policy requirements for commemorative flags to be flown at the New Civic Center location once approved by the City Council.
Attachments:
1. City of San Pablo Policy on Display of Flags (Adopted 05/18/20)
2. City Council Adopted Resolution #2020-061