McKenna Aiello | Uptown News

For more than 60 years, the Lions Club of Hillcrest and Mission Valley has raised funds for the San Diego Center for the Blind with its annual flag service program. Participating businesses in the Uptown area honor U.S. Servicemembers on the eight national flag holidays by placing an American flag provided by the Lions Club outside their storefront.

This long-standing tradition was threatened for the first time in 2013, when complaints were filed through the City’s Code Enforcement Department on behalf of University Heights Community Development Corporation’s (UHCDC) program treasurer Ernie Bonn regarding the flags’ obstructive nature.

One Lions Club member said the program has received complaints from just one person in its six-decade lifespan.

Bonn stated she could not discuss the matter due to pending resolution by City.

“If it were not for the multiple complaints from [Bonn], we would have gone over 60 years in the community supporting the patriotism we endorse,” said Kim Foote, president of Lions Club.

In December 2013, the City issued a Civil and Penalty Notice and Order requiring the Lions Club to obtain a permit to display the flags along the 4400 – 4500 block of Park Boulevard in University Heights — a process that Foote called “very lengthy and expensive.”

The Lions Club submitted the 50-page permit application, but pending its approval, Foote feared repercussion from the City’s Code Enforcement Department on Memorial Day. On Tuesday, May 20, Foote issued a public statement titled “City Halts Patriotic Flag Display Program!” stating that the Lions Club would not be allowed to display the flags on Memorial Day.

The following day, Fauconer’s office told Foote through email that the flags could be displayed while the permit’s approval is pending.

“Code enforcement officials have been working proactively with the Lions Club to make sure they file the necessary paperwork for the proper permits,” a spokesperson for the mayor wrote in a separate email. “They are being allowed to display their flags while the City processes their permit application. The Mayor’s Office didn’t play any role in this decision but supports the common-sense approach taken by City officials to allow this wonderful tradition to continue while the Lions Club seeks permits.”

“It’s a great thing and we are looking to moving forward in this long process,” Foote said.

According to the Civil and Penalty Notice and Order issued to the Lions Club, the service organization was in violation of Municipal Code, Section 12.0801 through 12.0810, or an encroachment in the public’s right-of-way. The violation falls under the lowest priority that Code Enforcement is able to issue violations for, according to the department’s website.

The Penalty Notice and Order cited 21 flag holes along Park Boulevard that “were loose fitting, easily removed and at one location missing, creating a safety hazard to the public and liability for the city of San Diego.”

The Lions Club could have faced up to $250,000 in fines per flagpole.

“During the permit process we continued to put flags out even though we probably shouldn’t have,” Foote said.

Foote said the Lions Club continued to honor Presidents Day and Armed Forces Day by placing flags throughout areas that were not included in the original violations. Of the more than 100 flags put out during every holiday, the Lions Club will eventually have to receive permits for every participating area.

Foote said that although the permit fee is costly, she is confident that the clear support from City officials will continue.

“[Council President] Todd Gloria’s team has been a huge advocate for us and has helped with some of the application fees,” Foote said. “Everything has been working out for the better.”