Report Prepared by: Jennifer Parsley, Assistant City Clerk, City Clerk’s Department
Title
SUBJECT: Consider Individual City Council Member’s Request that the City Display Commemorative Flags at Bob Hart Square per Council Policy C-7 for the 2026 Calendar Year
REPORT IN BRIEF
Council Members to request commemorative flags to be flown at Bob Hart Square for the 2026 Calendar Year
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion
A. Adding commemorative flag requests from City Council to the 2026 calendar year; and,
B. Adding this item back to the October 20th City Council Meeting to approve a Resolution per the City Council Policy C-7.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, as modified by City Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Continue the item to a future City Council meeting (date and time to be specified in motion).
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 200.
City Council Policy C-7.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
On January 6, 2025, Council Member Smith requested to discuss the City Council Policy C-7, Display of Flags at City Facilities during the February 18, 2025, meeting.
During the February 18, 2025, City Council meeting, Council Member Smith presented his proposed changes to the policy. Council discussed in length, they ultimately directed staff to remove the request form from the website that night and directed the City Attorney to bring back a version of the policy after consultation.
The City Council Policy C-7 was discussed at the City Council Ethics and Governance Subcommittee on March 5, 2025.
During the April 7, 2025, City Council meeting, Council approved a Resolution approving the revised City Council Policy C-7. In the revised C-7 Policy, under section 5. Displaying Commemorative Flags Subsection C: At its first regular meeting in October of each year, the City Council may consider individual Councilmember’s requests that the City display Commemorative Flags for the upcoming calendar year. City Council shall separately consider and vote upon each Commemorative Flag offered for discussion in accordance with Administrative Policies and Procedures C-1.
This item is before Council to consider individual Councilmember’s requests to display Commemorative Flags at Bob Hart Square.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. City Council Policy C-7
2. Past Approved Flags