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Larkspur amends outdoor flag-display policy to clarify who may order flags lowered
Summary
Council amended the city'9s outdoor flag display policy to clarify practice for lowering flags (mayor/vice mayor to be consulted, with option to coordinate with police and fire agencies); council directed staff to seek similar policies from police and fire councils.
The Larkspur City Council adopted an amendment to the city'9s outdoor flag display policy on Oct. 15 to clarify how and when the city lowers flags to half-staff. The policy update formalizes current practice that the mayor (and vice mayor, when acting) has authority to request lowering flags for national proclamations or similar events, while providing the option to consult with council or to call a special meeting if broader council input is desired.
City Clerk Allison Fis compiled examples of how other cities handle flag requests and noted that many jurisdictions leave discretionary decisions to their mayor/vice mayor or require a council-level action for non-routine requests. Staff recommended that the council direct the mayor to coordinate with the Central Marin Fire Authority and the police council and to request that those agencies consider parallel policies for their flag poles.
Council adopted the resolution amending the outdoor flag-display policy and asked staff to engage the fire and police councils about consistent practices. The resolution passed without recorded dissent.
