HomeMy WebLinkAbout19-21 - Adopting a policy for the display of flags at City FacilitiesRESOLUTION NO. 19-21
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A POLICY FOR THE DISPLAY OF FLAGS AT CITY
FACILITIES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa ("City") displays flags at City facilities in
accordance with Federal and State law; and
WHEREAS, the City does not have a policy regarding the display of flags; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt a policy regarding: (1) the display of
the United States Flag, the California State Flag, the POW -MIA Flag, and the City of
Costa Mesa Flag at City facilities; and (2) the display of commemorative flags at City Hall;
and
WHEREAS, the City's flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for free
expression by the public, but rather for the display of the Federal, State, and City flags,
the POW -MIA flag, and any commemorative flag as may be authorized by the City Council
as an expression of the City's official sentiments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Costa
Mesa that:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa hereby finds, determines,
and declares that the City's flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for free
expression of the public, but rather for the display of Federal, State, and City Flags, the
POW -MIA Flag, and any commemorative flag as may be authorized by resolution of the
City Council as an expression of the City's official sentiments.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa hereby adopts City Council
Policy 000-15 relating to the display of flags at City facilities.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 2019.
solution No. 19-21 Page 1 of 6
ATTEST:
� �-Q amo-
Brenda
Gree City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE )
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
ss
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
imberly &I Barlow, City Attorney
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 19-21 and was duly passed
and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting held on
the 7th day of May, 2019, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: CHAVEZ, REYNOLDS, MARR, STEPHENS, FOLEY
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MANSOOR, GENIS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the
City of Costa Mesa this 8th day of May, 2019.
Brenda Green, ity Clerk
Resolution No. 19-21 Page 2 of 6
EXHIBIT A
COUNCIL POLICY 000-15
Resolution No. 19-21 Page 3 of 6
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
POLICY
EFFECTIVE
PAGE
NUMBER
DATE
DISPLAY OF FLAGS
000-15
5-7-19
1 of 3
BACKGROUND
The City does not have a policy regarding the display of flags at City facilities. The City Council
desires to establish a policy regarding: (1) the display of the United States Flag, the California
State Flag, the POW -MIA Flag, and the City of Costa Mesa Flag at City facilities; and (2) the
display of commemorative flags at City Hall. In adopting this policy, the City Council declares that
the City's flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression of the public, but
rather for the display of Federal, State, and City Flags, the POW -MIA Flag, and any
commemorative flag as may be authorized by resolution of the City Council as an expression of
the City's official sentiments.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy it to provide procedural guidance for the display of flags at City facilities.
POLICY
I. Standards
Flags shall be displayed in accordance with Federal and State statutes, including, but not limited
to, Title 4, Chapter 1 of the United States Code and Sections 430 through 439 of the California
Government Code, and this policy.
II. Procedures
A. Federal, State and City Flags
The United States Flag, the California State Flag, and the City of Costa Mesa
Flag shall be displayed as required by law and in accordance with this policy.
2. No other flag shall be placed above the United States Flag.
3. Flags shall be displayed during operating hours on all days on which the City
is open for business, upon or in front of all City facilities equipped for flag
display.
Resolution No. 19-21 Page 4 of 6
CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
POLICY
EFFECTIVE
PAGE
NUMBER
DATE
DISPLAY OF FLAGS
000-15
5-7-19
2 of 3
4. Flags shall not be displayed during inclement weather. However, all-weather
flags may be displayed on a twenty-four (24) hour basis as long as they are
illuminated during darkness.
B. POW/MIA Flag
The POW/MIA Flag is a nationally recognized flag, created in 1971 and
recognized by an act of Congress through the adoption of U.S. Public Law
101-355, to represent concern of individuals who are identified as prisoners
of war or missing in action. The POW -MIA Flag has become a symbol of
commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting for those in the
future who may become prisoners of war, missing in action, or otherwise
unaccounted for as a result of hostile action.
2. In accordance with the City's longstanding tradition, the POW/MIA flag shall
continue to be displayed at City Hall. The POW/MIA flag may also be
displayed at other City facilities.
C. Commemorative Flags
1. Commemorative flags may be displayed only as authorized by resolution of
the City Council and as an expression of the City's official sentiments.
2. 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 forty-five (45) continuous days.
3. Commemorative flags shall be displayed at City Hall, exclusively.
4. The City will not display a commemorative flag based on a request from a
third party, nor will the City use its flagpoles to sponsor the expression of a
third party.
D. Display of Flags
Flags shall be displayed as follows: The United States Flag shall be displayed in the first
position of honor. The California State Flag shall be placed in the second position of honor. The
POW/MIA Flag shall be displayed in the third position of honor. The City of Costa Mesa Flag, if
displayed, shall be placed in the fourth position of honor. Commemorative flags shall be displayed
Resolution No. 19-21 Page 5 of 6
CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
POLICY
EFFECTIVE
PAGE
NUMBER
DATE
DISPLAY OF FLAGS
000-15
5-7-19
3 of 3
in the fifth position of honor. If all flags are displayed on one flag pole, the order from top to bottom
shall be: the United States Flag, the California State Flag, the POW -MIA Flag, the City of Costa
Mesa Flag, and then commemorative flags. If a new flag is added, it shall be added below the
existing flags, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.
Resolution No. 19-21 Page 6 of 6