HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/21/2020 04M Creating Policy for Display of Flags at City HallBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEM ENT
1
Item No. 4.M.
For Meeting of: July 21, 2020
ITEM TITLE: Ordinance creating a policy for the display of flags at City Hall and
other City of Yakima buildings
SUBMITTED BY: Ryan Bleek, Assistant City Attorney
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide clarity and direction with regards to the City's policy
for the display of flags at City Hall and other City buildings.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Pass Ordinance
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
0 Ordinance - Flag display policy 7/1/2020 Ordinance
2
ORDINANCE NO. 2020 -
AN ORDINANCE creating a policy for the display of flags at City Hall and other City of Yakima
buildings.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Section 1.13.010 entitled "Definitions" is added as a new Section to the
Yakima Municipal Code and reads as follows:
A. "Banner" means a display similar in shape and size of a flag representative of an entity
or organization other than a governmental jurisdiction.
B. "Flag" means the U.S. flag, the Washington State flag, the POW/MIA flag, and the
official flag of other governmental jurisdictions such as city, state or national flags.
C. "Half -Staff" means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the
top and bottom of the staff.
D. "Mayoral Proclamation" means a formal written declaration issued by the Mayor of the
City of Yakima.
Section 2. Section 1.13.020 entitled "Flag Display—Policies" is added as a new
Section to the Yakima Municipal Code and reads as follows:
A. It is the policy of the City of Yakima to correctly honor the flags of the United States,
the State of Washington, the POW/MIA recognition, and flags of other governmental
entities and ensure a standard for flag display on City property.
B. The City of Yakima shall comply with national and state protocols for flag display and
etiquette, as specified in 4 U.S.C. Ch. 1, Sections 6 through 8, as they presently read
or as they may be amended.
C. The City of Yakima shall follow the provisions governing the display of flags as required
in RCW 1.20.017.
D. In addition to the above referenced flags, other flags or banners may be displayed on
a permanent or temporary basis outside or inside of City of Yakima buildings. Other
flags and banners may only be displayed upon the issuance of a federal or state
proclamation or resolution or a mayoral proclamation. Examples include Sister City
flags, Heritage Month flags (e.g., African American History, Asian/Pacific American
History, National Hispanic Heritage, National American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage,
etc.), flags received in recognition of awards, flags received from visiting groups, or
flags designating an event or an accomplishment. All flags and banners will be
displayed with the Mayor's authorization as prescribed by the applicable proclamation
or resolution.
Section 3. Section 1.13.030 entitled "Flag Display—Half Staff' is added as a new
Section to the Yakima Municipal Code and reads as follows:
1
3
A. Flags shall be flown at half-staff when prescribed by the President of the United States
for days of national mourning, by the Governor of the State of Washington, or upon
mayoral proclamation. On Memorial Day, the flags are flown at half-staff until 12:00
noon, and raised to the peak for the remainder of the day.
B. No other authority to raise or lower flags to half-staff is granted.
Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or clause of
this ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional for any reason, such decision shall not affect
the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of the ordinance.
Section 5. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage,
approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 21st day of July, 2020.
ATTEST: Patricia Byers, Mayor
Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk
Publication Date: July 24, 2020
Effective Date: August 23, 2020
2