Staff report with attachments
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 09/21/2021 ITEM NO: 9
DATE: September 16, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consider a Flag Policy Update during the Next Strategic Priorities Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a Flag Policy update during the next Strategic Priorities discussion.
BACKGROUND:
At its August 24, 2021 meeting, the Policy Committee listened to public testimony and
discussed potential modifications to the Flag Policy and/or a new policy for artwork or symbols
on Town property, including streets (Attachment 1). This item was motivated by past resident
requests to fly flags of the Town’s Sister Cities and flags to support interests of the community
(e.g., the Rainbow Flag during Pride Month). The public comments received in June for the
rainbow crosswalk also raised potential policy questions.
DISCUSSION:
The Committee had a robust discussion and brainstormed different approaches, including the
possibility of the Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) to assist in the development of an updated
Flag Policy. The ACC might be in a good position to identify the criteria for additional flag
displays due to its role in understanding different cultures within Los Gatos.
The Committee unanimously agreed to request staff notify the Arts and Culture Commission of
their potential role as it may relate to a modified Flag Policy and forward the potential
modifications to the Flag Policy item to the full Town Council for discussion and direction before
any further staff work occurs. The Committee had no interest in addressing a new policy for
artwork or symbols on Town property, including streets.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Flag Policy DATE: September 16, 2021
CONCLUSION:
As staff gave this item more thought, staff is recommending that a potential Flag Policy update
be considered during the next Strategic Priority discussion. The Liaison to the ACC has been
notified of this potential role should the item become a Strategic Priority for next year.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Council could direct the preparation of an update at this time; however, given existing work
commitments on existing Strategic Priorities, Council would also need to identify which
Strategic Priorities should be placed on hold to create capacity to do this work.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Discussion of this item has no financial impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This item is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Report to Policy Committee with Existing Town Council Flag Policy
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager and Town Attorney
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 08/24/2021 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: August 19, 2021
TO: Council Policy Committee
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Provide Direction on Potential Modifications to the Flag Policy and/or a New
Policy for Artwork or Symbols on Town Property, Including Streets
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction on potential modifications to the Flag Policy and/or a new policy for artwork
or symbols on town property, including streets.
BACKGROUND:
In 2016, the Town Council adopted a Flag Policy to document the procedures for raising and
lowering all flags on Town properties. In 2018, the Policy was amended to address the
appearance of the Town flag.
In the past, residents have approached the Town about flying flags that would demonstrate the
Town’s support of various causes. For example, the Town has been asked to fly the flag of
Ireland in recognition of the Town’s Sister City relationship with Listowel and in support of the
Los Gatos Irish Writers Festival. The Town has also been asked recently to fly the Rainbow
Pride flag.
DISCUSSION:
The Town’s Flag Policy does not contain criteria to guide the consideration of flying additional
flags. The Policy Committee should determine if consideration for additional flags should be
addressed in the Flag Policy, and if so, discuss and provide direction on potential amendments
to the Policy. Staff would return with a draft updated Flag Policy for the Committee’s
consideration at a future meeting. The Policy Committee’s recommendation(s) would
ultimately be forwarded to the Town Council for action.
In addition, the Policy Committee is welcome to discuss parameters for a potential new Council
Policy to address artwork or symbols on Town property, including streets. The motivation for
ATTACHMENT 1
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Flag Policy DATE: August 19, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
this direction is based on the public interest of the rainbow stripes along two Main Street
crosswalks. Depending on the Policy Committee’s discussion, staff can return at a subsequent
meeting with a draft policy for review and comment.
CONCLUSION:
Staff looks forward to the Committee’s discussion and direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Flag Policy
TITLE: Flag Policy
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/ 19/16
PURPOSE
POLICY NUMBER: 5 -02
REVISED DATES: 9/4/18
This Policy provides guidelines for the official appearance and colors of the Town flag and
Town seal as well as guidelines for gifting or trading the Town flag. This Policy also provides
direction for when to lower flags to half -staff and to raise flags flown on Town properties.
SCOPE
The Policy applies to all Town flags and Town seals as well as Town staff, volunteers, and
residents managing flags flown on Town properties.
POLICY
TOWN SEAL
The official Town seal shall be in a circular format with a golden outer ring. At the top of the
outer ring, bold -face, upper -case, black letters shall read 'TOWN OF' while similarly written
letters at the bottom read 'LOS GATOS'. At the bottom and inside the outer ring, smaller,
upper -case, regular -face, black letters read 'INCORPORATED 1887' against a white background.
The central image features a golden sun radiating narrow golden rays against a white sky
peaking out from behind dark and light green mountains. The foreground displays nine rows of
dark and light green grape vines on light brown earth. Flanking each side of the central image
are two large white cats outlined in black. The cats are modeled after those which guard the
entrance to "The Cats' estate just south of Town, sculpted from cement by Robert Trent Paine
in 1922.
ATTACHMENT 1
TITLE: Flag Policy PAGE: I POLICY NUMBER:
2 of 3 5 -02
There is also a black and white version of the color Town seal, which is acceptable for use.
TOWN FLAG
r _
The official appearance of the Town flag shall feature the color Town seal, centered, on a white
background. Directly below the seal shall read, in bold- faced, upper -case, dark green letters
THE GEM OF THE FOOTHILLS'.
LOWERING AND RAISING THE FLAG
The Town of Los Gatos will adhere to the United States Flag Code, along with the California
Governor's and the Town of Los Gatos Mayor's discretion on flag status for all flags on Town
property.
For background, Title 4, Section 7 of the United States Code describes the United States Flag
Code and the President's authority. This Code specifies that only the President can order
federal flags to half -staff. The Code also indicates that state governors have the authority to
issue flag status proclamations. The Town will follow this Code and the Mayor's discretion
when managing the Town's flag procedures.
PROCEDURES
The Town flag may be gifted or traded upon approval from the Town Manager.
The procedures for lowering and raising flags on Town property are as follows.
1. The Town Council will establish the Flag Policy. The Town Manager and his or her
designee will provide direction for flag status, and act as the final authority for the
application of the policy according to federal and state declarations.
TITLE: Flag Policy PAGE: POLICY NUMBER:
3 of 3 5 -02
2. The Town Manager's Office is responsible for the day -to -day operation of administering
direction for flag status.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Robert Schultz, Town A orney
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