Special to 1808Delaware
Delaware City Council, at its February 27 meeting, requested that the City of Delaware’s draft Flag and Banner Policy be made available on the City website for public comment. The proposed policy is below. The comment form can be accessed here.
Comments will be accepted until 5 PM on March 22.
EXHIBITION OF FLAGS, BANNERS, AND SIGNS ON CITY FLAG POLES, LIGHT POSTS, AND PROPERTY POLICY:
It is the policy of the City of Delaware that city flag poles, flag brackets, light posts and specific city grounds where flags, banners and signs may be displayed shall not serve as a forum for free expression of the public. The exhibition of flags, banners and signs displayed on city grounds where allowed are intended to serve as an expression of the City’s official government speech.
A. Flags, Banners, and Signs
1. Flags:
a. The flag of the United States, the flag of the State of Ohio, and the Delaware City flag shall be the only flags displayed on city-owned flag poles and flag brackets except that a flag of a government recognized by the United States may be displayed on city-owned flag poles or flag brackets upon the request of the Mayor, a City Council Member, or the City Manager or his/her designee.
The United States flag shall be the only flag displayed on city-owned flag poles and flag brackets during any week preceding or after the days on which the City observes the following holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans’ Day.
b. The flag of the United States, the flag of the State of Ohio, and other flags displayed on city-owned flag poles and flag brackets shall be displayed in accordance with Federal and Ohio statutes and regulations, including but not limited to, United States Code, Title 4, Chapter 1 and Ohio Revised Code Section 5.012.
c. Outdoor flags shall be flown at City facilities in the following order of precedence:
1st: the United States flag;
2nd: the State of Ohio flag;
3rd: the Delaware City flag; and/or the flag of a government recognized by the United States.
d. The Delaware City flag (or flag of any government recognized by the United States, if displayed) shall fly at half-staff if either the United States flag or State of Ohio flag is at half-staff. The City Manager may order the Delaware City flag to fly at half-staff in honor of the death of a current or former Delaware City Council Member, current or former Delaware City employee, or a historically significant member of the community.
2. Banners: Only city themed banners created by the City will be displayed on city
light posts.
a. City themed banners may promote city-sponsored events, matters for
which a proclamation has been issued, and initiative of the following city
institutional partners:
i. Delaware City Schools
ii. Olentangy Local School District
iii. Ohio Wesleyan University
iv. Main Street Delaware
v. Little Brown Jug
vi. Central Ohio Symphony
vii. Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & Recovery Services Board
viii. Delaware Arts Festival
ix. Olentangy Riverfest
x. Alpha Group
xi. Alzheimer’s Association
xii. Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities
3. Signs: Signs are prohibited on city property, except those promoting City Parks and Recreation programs and city-sponsored events.
PROCEDURE:
The City Manager or designated staff representative(s) of the City Manager is/are responsible for ensuring the proper execution of this policy.
