Report Prepared by: Jennifer Levesque, Assistant City Clerk and Craig Cornwell, City Attorney
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Revision of the City Council Policy for the Display of Flags at City Facilities, Provide Direction on Modifications Thereto, if any, and Approve the Policy as Proposed or Modified
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers adopting a Resolution and the proposed revisions to the City Council Policy for the Display of Flags at City Facilities.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2025-19, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adopting a Policy for Display of Ceremonial and Commemorative Flags on City Flagpoles.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Provide direction on specific revisions to the policy; or,
3. Decline to take action.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter Section 200 grants the City the power to make and enforce all laws and regulation in respect to municipal affairs.
DISCUSSION
Background
On March 1, 2021, the City Clerk's Office received an email from the LGBTQ+ Alliance requesting to fly the Pride Progress flag at Bob Hart Square. The email was sent to Council as part of a late submission for Public Comment for the March 1, 2021 City Council meeting.
At the March 15, 2021, City Council meeting, District 1 Council Member Jesse Ornelas during the Request to Add Item portion of the agenda to add an item to discuss the flying of the Pride Progress Flag to the May 3, 2021 Council agenda.
On May 3, 2021, the City Council approved the flying of the Pride Progress Flag during the month of June and directed City staff to draft a policy regarding the display of flags at City facilities.
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 h...
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