CC 2024-08-13_09e Policy Designating the City Seal City Logo and Police Badge as Official SymbolsItem 9.e.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Jessica Matson, Legislative & Information Services Director/City Clerk
SUBJECT: Policy Designating the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge as
Official Symbols of the City
DATE: August 13, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Adopt a Resolution designating the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge as official
symbols of the City of Arroyo Grande; and
2) Find that adopting the Resolution is not a project subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it has no potential to result in either a direct,
or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment. (State CEQA
Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (b)(2)-(3), 15378.)
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There is no financial impact to adopting the Resolution.
BACKGROUND:
The City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge have always been viewed as the official
symbols of the City of Arroyo Grande. However, the City of Arroyo Grande has not
formally designated the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge as official symbols. From
time to time, requests are made to allow the use of the City Logo for various community
purposes. The lack of a formal policy may lead to misuse or unauthorized use of these
symbols, which could mislead the public or misconstrue the authority and jurisdiction they
represent.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The City Seal is defined as the current or any prior versions of the seal, or any graphic
representation that closely resembles the seal and includes the City's name. The current
City Seal is shown in Attachment 1, Exhibit A.
The City Logo is defined as the official logo displayed on City documents, stationery,
uniforms, and monument signs. The current City Logo is shown in Attachment 1, Exhibit
B.
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Item 9.e.
City Council
Policy Designating the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge as Official Symbols
of the City
August 13, 2024
Page 2
The Police Badge is defined as the distinctive device worn by members of the Arroyo
Grande Police Department, identifying them as officers of the department. The current
Police Badge is shown in Attachment 1, Exhibit C.
The proposed Resolution (Attachment 1) for the designation and use of the City Seal, City
Logo, and Police Badge as official symbols of the City of Arroyo Grande aims to provide
a policy with clear guidelines and standards for the use of these symbols to maintain their
integrity and prevent unauthorized usage.
The proposed Resolution prohibits unauthorized reproduction, manufacture, display, or
use of the City Seal, City Logo, Police Badge, or any similar design unless approved for
official City business, City-sponsored events or publications, or City-endorsed events or
publications.
By adopting the Resolution, the City Manager is authorized to implement administrative
policies and procedures regarding the use of the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge,
to enforce the Resolution through penalties for violations, and safeguard the integrity and
authority of the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge. The purpose of this Resolution is
to ensure that these symbols are used appropriately and only in contexts that uphold their
significance.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Adopt the Resolution designating the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge as
official symbols of the City;
2. Modify and adopt the Resolution designating the City Seal, City Logo, and Police
Badge as official symbols of the City; or
3. Provide other direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
The City Council's approval of this policy will provide clear guidance for the proper use of
these symbols and prevent potential misuse.
DISADVANTAGES:
There are no disadvantages to adopting the Resolution designating the Seal, Logo, and
Badge as official symbols of the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item as it is not a project subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it has no potential to result in
either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment.
(State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (b)(2)-(3), 15378.)
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Item 9.e.
City Council
Policy Designating the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge as Official Symbols
of the City
August 13, 2024
Page 3
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Resolution
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ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE DESIGNATING THE CITY SEAL, CITY
LOGO, AND POLICE BADGE AS OFFICIAL SYMBOLS OF THE
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
WHEREAS, the City of Arroyo Grande does not currently have a policy spec ifically designating
the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge as official symbols; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge use
policy that provides guidance and standards for use of the symbols; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande that:
SECTION 1: The City Council finds and declares as follows:
A. It is in the public interest to establish a policy guiding the appearance of the City
Seal and distinctive devices, including badges, incorporating the City Seal. The
City Seal is a symbol of the authority and jurisdiction of the City, and as such, is a
valuable asset of the City and its citizens;
B. The City Seal should only be used when conducting official City business as
unauthorized use of the City Seal may mislead the public; and
C. The most appropriate method of implementing such a policy is to adopt this
resolution and authorize the City Manager to implement the provisions specified
within this resolution.
SECTION 2: Definitions. Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the
following definitions will govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this
resolution:
A. “City Seal” means the current Seal, any and all prior versions of the City’s Seal,
or any graphic representation that simulates, approximates or resembles the
City’s Seal and contains the City’s name. The image of the City Seal is
substantially the same as the form shown in Exhibit A and incorporated by this
reference.
B. “City Logo” means the official logo of the City of Arroyo Grande that is displayed
on City documents, stationary, uniforms, and monument signs, the image of
which is substantially the same as shown on Exhibit B and incorporated by this
reference.
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RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 2
C. “Police Badge” means the distinctive device worn as a sign of membership in and
authority of the Arroyo Grande Police Department. The Police Badge identifies
the wearer as an Arroyo Grande Police Officer. The image of the Police Badge is
substantially the same as the form shown on Exhibit C, and incorporated by this
reference.
SECTION 3: City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge Designated Official Symbols.
A. The City Seal is designated the official seal of the City of Arroyo Grande.
B. The City Logo is designated the official logo of the City of Arroyo Grande.
C. The Police Badge is designated the official badge of the Arroyo Grande Police
Department.
SECTION 4: Alteration of City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge.
A. The City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge cannot be altered unless such
alterations are approved by resolution of the City Council.
SECTION 5: Prohibition. No person can make, reproduce, manufacture, display or use the City
Seal or City Logo or Police Badge, or their design, or any design so closely resembling the
same as to deceive or be reasonably mistaken for the City Seal or City Logo, for any purpose
other than for official City business, a City-sponsored event or publication, or a City-endorsed
event or publication, without the approval of the City Council.
SECTION 6: Authorization. The City Manager or their designee is broadly authorized to
promulgate administrative policies and procedures to implement the purpose and direction set
forth in this Resolution that the City Seal, City Logo, and Police Badge be used only for official
and authorized purposes.
SECTION 7: This Resolution will become effective immediately upon adoption and will remain
effective unless superseded or repealed.
SECTION 8: The City Clerk will certify to the passage and adoption of this Re solution; will
enter the same in the book of original Resolutions of said City; and will make a minute of the
passage and adoption thereof in the record of proceedings of the City Council of said City, in
the minutes of the meeting at which the same is passed and adopted.
On motion of Council Member , seconded by Council Member , and on the
following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 13th day of August, 2024.
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RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 3
___________________________________
CAREN RAY RUSSOM, MAYOR
ATTEST:
___________________________________
JESSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
____________________________________
MATTHEW DOWNING, CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________________
ISAAC ROSEN, CITY ATTORNEY
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RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 4
EXHIBIT A
CITY SEAL
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RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 5
EXHIBIT B
CITY LOGO
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RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 6
EXHIBIT C
POLICE BADGE
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