Staff ReportPREPARED BY: Shelayne Hammack
Manage ment Analyst
Reviewed by: N/A Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney NA Finance
C:\Users \slombardo \Downloads \Staff_Report_Flag_Policy_FINAL (1).docx
MEETING DATE: 10/18 /16
ITEM NO : 3
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: OCTOBER 6 , 2016
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: DISCUS S AND ADOPT THE POLICY COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION
FOR A FLAG POLICY
RECOMMENDATION :
Discuss and a d opt the Policy Committee’s recommendation for a Flag Policy .
REMARKS :
The Council Policy Committee expressed interest in creating a policy to identify protocols for lowering
flags to half -staff on Town properties.
On August 25, 2016, the topic of the Council Policy Committee considered a draft Flag Policy that would
provi de direction for when to lower flags to half -staff and to raise flags flown on Town properties (see
Attachment 1). The draft Policy identifies that the Town will adhere to the United States Flag Code , the
California Governor’s direction, and the Mayor’s discretion on flag status . After its discussion, the
Committee recommended that the proposed Policy be approved by the Town Council.
ALTERNATIVES:
Alternatives to the recommendation provided above include:
1. Adopt the proposed Policy with revisions ide ntified by the Council.
2. Not adopt a Flag Policy.
3. Provide other direction to staff.
COORDINATION:
This staff report and the proposed Policy was prepared in collaboration with the Town Attorney.
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: DISCUSS AND ADOPT THE POLICY COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION FOR A
FLAG POLICY
OCOTOBER 6, 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined u nder CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Draft Flag Policy
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
Title : Flag Policy
Policy Number :
Effective Date :
Pages :
Enabling Actions :
Revised Date :
Approved :
Small Town Service Community Stewardship Future Focus
PURPOSE
This Policy provide s direction for when to lower flags to half -staff and to raise flags flown
on Town properties .
SCOPE
The Policy applies to all Town staff, volunteers, and residents managing flags flown on Town
properties .
POLICY
The Town of Los Gatos will adhere to the United States Flag Code, the California Governor’s
direction, and the Town of Los Gatos Mayor’s discretion on flag status . 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 C ode also
indicates that state governors have the authority to issue flag status proclamations. The Town
will follow this C od e when managing the Town’s flag procedures .
PROCEDURES
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 th e final authority for the
application of the policy according to federal and state declarations .
2. The Town Manager’s Office is responsible for the d ay -to -day operation of administering
direction for flag status.
Title : Flag Policy
Page :
2 of 2
Policy Number :
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Robert Schultz, Town Attorney