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RES. 2021-04 - Flag PolicyTOWN OF TROPHY CLUB RESOLUTION 2021-04 A RESOLUTION OF THE TROPHY CLUB TOWN COUNCIL APPROVING A FLAG POLICY FOR THE TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB SUPPORTED BY THE TROPHY CLUB FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR ACCEPTED DATES AND OCCASSIONS FOR LOWERING THE NATIONAL, STATE, TOWN, AND POW/MIA FLAGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRESIDENT OR GOVERNOR'S ORDER TO BE DISPLAYED AT MUNICIPAL FACILITIES AND PARKS. WHEREAS, the Town identifies that lowering the Flag of the United States is intended to be a visible public symbol of respect for heroic services and sacrifice of Military Personnel, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and Public Officials upon their death, and at times of National, State, or Local Tragedies; and WHEREAS, the Flag Code provides that the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of Texas has the authority to direct when the flags are lowered to Half -Staff, and noting that the Flag Code serves as a "Guide Only"; and WHEREAS, the Town's Flag Policy sets out the Raising and Lowering of Flags, Flag Locations, provides for the flying of POW/MIA Flag, and provides for Flag Change Notifications; and WHEREAS, the Town's Fire Department (TCFD) is charged with the Town Flag Policy and subsequent updates, provides for flag notification, provides for Local Death and Tragic Event Notification, and Request to the Office of the Governor to Lower the State Flag at the request of the Mayor or designee as a Public Sign of Respect and Remembrance; and WHEREAS, the Council has determined it appropriate to approve the Resolution providing a Policy for local events related to the United States Flag and the Texas Flag that are consistent with the intent of the Flag Code. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TROPHY CLUB TOWN COUNCIL: Section 1. The Prisoner of War Missing in Action Flag is to be displayed to half staff at Town Hall and the Veteran's Memorial Park on the dates as provided in the TCFD Flag Policy attached and incorporated herein. Section 2. This Resolution shall become effective upon its approval. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Trophy Club Town Council this the 22nd day of June 2021. ATTEST: r- 1 -Lbti6a-.Vacek, TRMC/CMC/MMC Town Secretary/RMO APPROVED TO AS FORM: dddd III, awn Attorney Trophy Club, Texas RES 2021-04 Page 2 of 2 I 'LVL_114LJ/ % 1 1 GIVI ftf TROPHY CLUB FIRE DEPARTMENT ice,g 00_1� ISO-Z TROPHY CLUB FIRE DEPARTMENT F E Origin Date- 06/15/21 342- Flay Policy Purpose and Scope The Town of Trophy Club identifies that lowering the Flag of the United States is intended to be a visible public symbol of respect for heroic services and sacrifice of Military Personnel, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and Public Officials upon their death, and at times of National, State, or Local tragedies. This policy reflects the proper procedures that must be in place before fire department personnel raise or lower the United States (U.S.) or Texas Flags. This policy gives direction as to the accepted dates when the National League of Families Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) is displayed at Town Hall and the Veterans' Memorial Park. The Flag Code provides that the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of Texas has the authority to direct when the flag is lowered to Half -Staff, the Flag Code serves as a "Guide Only" with no penalty or enforcement provisions. The Flag Code itself suggests a general rule by which practices involving the flag may be fairly tested and provides that no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America, it further provides that actions not specifically included in the code "may be deemed acceptable" as long as "proper respect is shown". 342.1 Policy The Town Flags line -item budget regarding the purchase, maintenance, vendor contracts, etc., will be the responsibility of the Facilities Department. The Fire Department (TCFD) will remain the purveyors of all Town flag raising, lowering, and maintenance. TCFD will notify the contracted vendor when repair or replacement are needed on any Town Flags. TCFD will raise and lower the U.S. and Texas flags in accordance with policies set forth by the Office of the President of the United States, and the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas. 342.2 Raising and Lowering Flags The U.S. flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, or the death of a first responder working in any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving in the line of duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The Texas Government Code directs the methods and means of displaying the Texas flag. In addition to state agencies, all individuals, businesses, municipalities, counties and political subdivisions are encouraged to fly their Texas and United States flags as a mark of respect and honor for Texas and the United States. Specific questions concerning the proper display of the flag should be answered by consulting Texas Government Code Chapter 3100. Note that when the flag is to be displayed at half-staff, the flag should first be raised briskly to full -staff and then lowered slowly to half-staff. Some entities maintain facilities that display other flags, such as the flag for the Town of Trophy Club. Each entity is responsible for determining its own policy regarding these flags when flags are to be flown at half-staff but note that no flag may fly higher than the Texas or United States flag. The Mayor (or her/his designee) of the Town of Trophy Club may order at her/his discretion, the flying of the Town flag at half-staff to pay remembrance/respect to an individual or event related to the Town. 342.3 Flag Locations As previously stated, TCFD personnel will be responsible for flag maintenance, raising and lowering. These flags are located at eight (8) sites throughout our community. These locations will include the U.S. flag, Texas flag, and the Town of Trophy Club Flag at Indy Park East and at Town Hall. The following are the flag locations maintained by the Town and TCFD: Larne U.S. Flaps (2 (1) 90 Trophy Club Dr. (2) The intersection of Shasta and Trophy Lake. (1 Shasta Dr.) Small Flap Locations (6) (3) 699 Indian Creek, Harmony Park (U.S. Flag) (4) 500 Parkview, Indy East Park (U.S, Texas, and Town Flags) (5) 501 Parkview, Veterans Memorial Park (U.S. Flag) (6) 1 Trophy Wood, Town Hall (U.S., Texas, and Town Flags) (7) 295 Trophy Club Dr, Fire Station #1 (U.S. and Texas Flags) (8) 100 Municipal Dr, MUD Administration Building (U.S. and Texas Flags) 342.4 POW/MIA Flag The POW/MIA Flag will be displayed, on six (6) designated dates, at Town Hall and the Veterans' Memorial Park to honor the more than 82,000 Americans who are listed as Prisoners of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), or otherwise unaccounted for from our nation's past wars and conflicts. The POW/MIA flag will be affixed below the U.S. flag at these two locations on the following listed days each year: (1) The third Saturday in May, "Armed Forces Day." (2) The last Monday in May, "Memorial Day." (3) June 141h, "Flag Day." (4) July 4', "Independence Day." (5) November 111h, "Veterans Day." (6) The third Friday of September, "National POW/MIA Recognition Day." 342.5 Flag Change Notification Upon email notification of a flag change order by either the Office of the President of the United States, or the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, notification will be made from TCFD. The Fire Chief, or designee, will notify such changes by email to the Town Manager, Town Secretary, and Town Communications Manager for dissemination. TCFD will also post such changes on the Trophy Club Fire Department official Facebook Site. 342.6 Notification to Governor's Office Notification to the Office of the Governor of Texas may be initiated as a result of a death to any local Military Personnel, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and Public Officials upon their death, and at times of a Local tragedy. Such notification and request to fly the State of Texas flag at half-staff will be made by the Mayor or her/his designee. 3