[1]
Prior ordinance history: Ord. 3.
There is adopted and provided for the city a seal which shall be known as the "City Seal of the City of South Gate" consisting of a circular disk in the center, a cluster of azalea flowers at the lower left, and a shield at the lower right, as is described as follows:
The circular disk measures seven-eighths inches (7/8") in diameter.
At the center of the disk there is a gate opened by Lady Liberty standing in the center of the opened gates. The left side of the gate contains the word, "SOUTH" in capital letters in a Gothic font, and the right side of the gate contains the word, "GATE" in capital letters in a Gothic font. Lady Liberty is surrounded by the rays of the sun of Opportunity, having the word, "OPPORTUNITY" in capital letters in a Gothic font across the top of this center design.
The upper half of the circular disk is framed by the words, "CITY OF SOUTH GATE, CALIFORNIA" in capital letters in a Gothic font.
The lower half of the circular disk is framed by the words, "INCORPORATED – JAN. 20, 1923" in capital letters in a Gothic font.
At the lower left of the disk appears a cluster of three (3) azalea flowers with leaves, measuring one half inch (1/2") at its greatest width and five-eighths inches (5/8") at its greatest length.
At the lower right of the disk appears a shield measuring three-eighths inches (3/8") at its greatest width and one half inch (1/2") at its greatest length. The cap of the shield contains five white stars appearing in a horizontal row. The lower portion of the badge consists of six (6) vertical stripes. The shield contains the words "All-America City" in a Helvetica font appearing between the cap and the stripes of the shield.
(Ord. 2057 § 1 (part), 1-11-2000; Ord. 2242 § 1, 9-25-2007)
The city clerk of the city of South Gate shall be the custodian of the city seal of the city of South Gate.
(Ord. 2057 § 1 (part), 1-11-2000)
For purposes of this Chapter 1.02 the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed to have the following meaning:
A. 
"City seal"
means and includes the official seal of the city of South Gate, as first approved upon the incorporation of the city in 1923 by Ordinance No. 3 on February 20, 1923, and subsequently amended as described in Section 1.02.010 of this chapter, and any copy, facsimile, reproduction, or imitation thereof. The city seal may also be referred to as the city logo.
B. 
"City stationery"
means and includes, but shall not be limited to, the following materials which contain a printed or embossed copy, facsimile, or reproduction of the city seal: letterhead, envelopes, business cards, labels, checks, warrants, business forms, any written or printed materials, used in authorized and official city business.
(Ord. 2057 § 1 (part), 1-11-2000)
A. 
No person may use, or authorize the use of, the city seal for any purposes other than those set forth in Section 1.02.050, unless specifically authorized by a majority of the members of the city council, except in cases involving city-sponsored events, in which case the city manager through the approval process set forth in Section 1.02.060 is authorized to grant use of the city seal.
B. 
No person may use, or authorize the use of, city stationery bearing the city seal for any purposes other than those set forth in Section 1.02.050, unless specifically authorized by a majority of the members of the city council, except in cases involving city-sponsored events, in which case the city manager, through the approval process set forth in Section 1.02.060, is authorized to grant use of the city seal.
C. 
No person shall place the city seal, or any copy, facsimile, reproduction, or imitation thereof, on any written or printed material, for any promotional, commercial, business, or private purpose, other than those purposes specified in Section 1.02.050, unless specifically authorized by a majority of the members of the city council, except in cases involving city-sponsored events, in which case the city manager, through the approval process set forth in Section 1.02.060, is authorized to grant use of the city seal.
D. 
No person shall place any copy, facsimile, reproduction, or imitation of the city seal on any written or printed material which is intended, calculated, designed or likely to confuse, deceive, or mislead the public or to cause the recipient of such written or printed material to believe it to be an official city correspondence or publication, and no person shall circulate or distribute any such written or printed material in the city.
E. 
No person shall place the city seal, or any copy, facsimile, reproduction, or imitation thereof, on any written or printed material supporting or opposing any candidate or candidates for any elective public office or supporting or opposing any state or federal legislation or any local or statewide referendum, initiative or other ballot measure, and no person shall circulate or distribute any such written or printed material containing or bearing the city seal, or any copy, facsimile, reproduction or imitation thereof, except only as provided in Section 1.02.050 of this chapter.
F. 
Except as authorized herein, the city seal should not be used on or in connection with any advertisement or promotion for any product, business, organization, service or article, whether offered for sale, for profit or offered without charge.
G. 
No person shall use a symbol that imitates the city seal, or that is deceptively similar in appearance to the city seal.
(Ord. 2057 § 1 (part), 1-11-2000; Ord. 2158 § 1, 2-21-2004; Ord. 2362 § 1, 6-25-2019)
The following are authorized uses of the city seal:
A. 
Use of city stationery or other written or printed materials containing the printed names of the mayor, vice mayor, or members of the city council when specifically authorized by the city manager.
B. 
Use of city stationery or other written or printed materials containing the printed name of a city official upon prior consent of the respective city official.
C. 
Use of city stationery or other written or printed materials by city official or employee used in authorized and official city business.
D. 
Use of the city stationery bearing the city seal by a member of the city council for individual correspondence, or the reproduction and distribution of a city council member's letter by the recipient thereof, at no cost to the city of South Gate; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed so as to authorize any mass production, mailing or distribution of any such letter or written material on city stationery or otherwise, at city expense, nor any use of public funds in connection with any political campaign or political issue.
E. 
Use of the city seal, or any copy, facsimile, reproduction, or imitation thereof, on written or printed material in support of or in opposition to any state or federal legislation or statewide referendum, initiative or other ballot measure, when specifically authorized by the city manager.
F. 
Use for embroidery or other placement on uniforms, named badges and other clothing and identification materials worn or used by city employees and city officials.
G. 
Use for printing on official city promotional and recognition materials, such as pens, plaques, coffee mugs and other similar items as may be approved by the city manager.
H. 
Use by elected city officials, at their own expense, for printing or placement on materials, such as shirts, pens, coffee mugs and other similar items.
(Ord. 2057 § 1 (part), 1-11-2000; Ord. 2158 § 2, 2-21-2004; Ord. 2362 § 2, 6-25-2019)
A. 
Persons seeking to use the city seal for any other purpose other than as set forth in Section 1.02.050 shall submit a written request or application to the city clerk with the following information:
1. 
Person or organization requesting use of the city seal;
2. 
Purpose for which city seal will be used;
3. 
Proposed text and/or design;
4. 
Specific event, if any, for which city seal will be displayed; and
5. 
Dates for display of city seal.
B. 
A complete request will thereafter be delivered to the city manager. If the use of the city seal is approved by the city manager, approval will be issued in writing and shall be valid for one year, or for the time period specified in the written approval, from the date of issuance. The person or organization must reapply for any subsequent renewal. The requirements for this approval include a diagram of the text or design displaying the city seal, and written acknowledgment from the applicant that said approval shall not entitle applicant to any power or authority to legally bind the city, to incur any debt, obligation or liability on behalf of the city, or to make any representation on behalf of the city.
(Ord. 2057 § 1 (part), 1-11-2000; Ord. 2362 § 3, 6-25-2019)
No person, other than the city manager or the city-designated buyer, may print or order the printing of city stationery bearing the city seal, unless specifically authorized to print or order said printing by a majority of the members of the city council.
(Ord. 2057 § 1 (part), 1-11-2000)
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the Los Angeles County jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment as provided in Chapter 1.56 of this code. Each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person and shall be punishable accordingly.
(Ord. 2057 § 1 (part), 1-11-2000)