2025-06-17 CC Agenda - Public Communications - Misc. - Meeting Minutes2025-06-17 CC AGENDA
j Outlook PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS - MISC. - MEETING MINUTES
Re: Meeting Minutes
From John Pickhaver <johnpickhaverjr@gmail.com>
Date Thu 6/12/2025 11:44 AM
To George, Darrell <dgeorge@elsegundo.org>
Cc Truax, Susan (City Clerk) <struax@elsegundo.org>; Sassoon, Elias <esassoon@elsegundo.org>; ALL ELECTED
OFFICIALS<ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org>
Darrell,
I have since learned there was no subsequent meeting regarding this matter, which makes sense —of
all people I don't think I would have missed it. That leads me to believe that this direction did not come
from Council, which is a relief.
Therefore, I'm hopeful this can be resolved and that the lighting of the water tower will remain lit for
the duration of Pride Month with perhaps, the exception of Flag Day on June 14th, and any other
holidays, celebrations, recognitions deemed appropriate.
I know the lighting of the water tower seems trivial with all else that is happening. So let me be clear:
while the rainbow lights are meaningful to me, I do not need the water tower lit to feel supported. I do
not need the water tower lit to feel celebrated. I do not need the water tower lit to feel valued. It's not
for me. It's not for my partner. It's not even for my LGBTQ+ friends in town. It's for the people you
don't hear from. It's for the kids, young adults, or older folks who are still figuring out who they are.
Maybe they've told no one about how they're feeling inside. You may not realize it, but that rainbow
light in the sky might be the only support they have —or the one thing that helps them begin to
accept who they are. That's who it's for, most of all.
And when you discontinue it or abbreviate the rainbow lights during Pride Month, especially when
previously doing it for the entire month, like last year and in 2022, you send a message, whether you
intend to or not, that the City's support for the LGBTQ+ community is -only halfway there. Ask yourself:
why was it lit in 2022 for all of Pride Month and in 2023 half the Rainbow and half Red, White, and
Blue? Whatever your answer, I can tell you that many in the community thought you were trying to
appease two groups. Those for the Pride Flag and those for the American Flag. But those aren't
opposing values. The Pride flag is an expression of the freedoms the American flag is supposed to
represent.
So please, let's not go through this every year. Just be supportive. It's really not asking much.
John Pickhaver
On Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 9:28AM John Pickhaver <johnpickhaverjr a gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Darrell,
It's my understanding the City does not plan to continue illuminating the water tower in rainbow
lights for the full duration of Pride Month, and that the rainbow lights will be turned off on June 14. 1
was told this decision was made at the direction of the City Council.
Could you please clarify when that specific direction was given? I am not aware of any subsequent
discussion following the September 3, 2024 Council meeting, where the unanimous motion directed
staff to return with a proposed illumination schedule for Council approval:
"12. Water Tower Illumination Schedule
(Fiscal Impact: None)
Elias Sassoon, Public Works Director gave a presentation.
Council Discussion
MOTION by Mayor Boyles, SECONDED by Council Member Baldino directing staff to
merge/include options 1 & 2 (see agenda staff report for all options), add observance of
regional sports championship teams, establish a schedule and time frames for lighting
the water tower during the events, and bring the schedule and time frames back for
Council approval. MOTION PASSED. 5/0"
Please send me the minutes from the meeting where Council approved the illumination schedule, as
well as a copy of the schedule itself or where it is currently posted.
Thank you,
John
Q1 , Outlook
Fwd: Meeting Minutes
From John Pickhaver <johnpickhaverjr@gmail.com>
Date Wed 6/11 /2025 10:13 AM
To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org>
Hi,
Wanted to loop you all in on this.
John
---------- Forwarded message ---
From: John Pickhaver <johnpickhaverjr@�gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 9:28AM
Subject: Meeting Minutes
To: <dgeorge elsegundo.org>
Cc: <struax@elsegundo.org>, Elias Sassoon <esassoonPelsegundo.org>
Hi Darrell,
It's my understanding the City does not plan to continue illuminating the water tower in rainbow lights
for the full duration of Pride Month, and that the rainbow lights will be turned off on June 14. 1 was
told this decision was made at the direction of the City Council.
Could you please clarify when that specific direction was given? I am not aware of any subsequent
discussion following the September 3, 2024 Council meeting, where the unanimous motion directed
staff to return with a proposed illumination schedule for Council approval:
12. Water Tower Illumination Schedule
(Fiscal Impact: None)
Elias Sassoon, Public Works Director gave a presentation.
Council Discussion
MOTION by Mayor Boyles, SECONDED by Council Member Baldino directing staff to
merge/include options 1 & 2 (see agenda staff report for all options), add observance of
regional sports championship teams, establish a schedule and time frames for lighting the
water tower during the events, and bring the schedule and time frames back for Council
approval. MOTION PASSED. 5/0"
Please send me the minutes from the meeting where Council approved the illumination schedule, as
well as a copy of the schedule itself or where it is currently posted.
Thank you,
John