Residents urge Delano to extend veterans banner displays; council asked to amend development code

Sally Medrano, president of the Delano Hometown Heroes Committee, told the council she would like the city's veteran banners to be displayed year-round or at least from June 15 to Nov. 30, and asked the council to revise the City of Delano Development Code §20.14.50 to allow that change. "These banners are typically displayed from October until the 3rd week of November," Medrano said, asking the council to "consider revising the regulations to allow the display of military banners either throughout the year or from mid June to the end of November." (S14)

Residents who followed Medrano supported her request during the public-comment period. Annette Sully Weiser said having banners on Main Street from mid June through November brings pride and helps families learn how to obtain a banner. Suzanne Belarus also voiced support and asked the council to fix a nearby sidewalk while backing the banner extension request. (S19, S16)

Council members discussed placing the item on a future agenda. Councilmember (speaker in SEG 1031) said he would like to place an amendment to 20.14.50 on the next agenda to allow veteran banners to be displayed at minimum June through early November. The city attorney noted the code section referenced by speakers as 20.14.50 during comments, and staff indicated they would bring an agenda item for council consideration if directed. (S5, S17)

No formal vote on a code amendment occurred at the meeting. The council did not take immediate action to change the ordinance; the speakers requested a future agenda item for staff research and possible ordinance language.