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CC-(1) Consideration of a Request to Fly the Flag on City Flag Poles at Half-Staff Until Congress Takes Action on Gun Safety Legislation; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: August 26, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/22/19);
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar, City Manager (08/22/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider a request to fly the flag on City flag poles at half-staff until Congress takes action on gun safety legislation; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
At the August 12, 2019 City Council Meeting, Mayor Sahli-Wells discussed the recent mass shootings that had taken place. She recommended (and the City Council concurred) to adjourn the City Council meeting in memory of the victims of the shootings in Gilroy, California; El Paso, Texas; Dayton, Ohio, and those who were the victims of the stabbing in Orange County.
Mayor Sahli-Wells went on to state that there is a movement of Mayors across the country to fly the flag at half-staff, until Congress takes action on gun violence. She requested that the City Manager fly the flag at half-staff, until such time as Congressional action is taken on gun legislation.
DISCUSSION
Currently there is a City Administrative Policy Statement, #I-05, dated August 1999, entitled Flags on City Flag Poles (Attachment No. 1). This Policy is silent with regard to the current situation and requested action.
If desired, the City Council could direct staff to refer further discussion of the Policy to the City Council Policies Ad Hoc Subcommittee or bring it back to the full City Council for consideration.
At this time, staff is seeking specific City Council direction regarding lowering the flag on City properties to half-staff until such time that Congress takes action on gun safety legislation.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact to discuss this item or to direct City staff to fly the flag on City properties at half-staff.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2019-08-26_Administrative Policy Statement #I-05 (Flags on City Flag Poles)
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Consider a request to fly the flag on City flag poles at half-staff until Congress takes action on gun safety legislation; and/or
2. Provide direction to the City Manager deemed appropriate.