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SR-305-001-01 (4)~ev ~ sec~ I?age ~~~ . ..._....._._. ^ .. ......_ _. C~ty Counc~l Repor~ __~ c~xy of Saata 11t~ntcai City Council I'u9eeting: March 2C~, 20Cl~ Agenda Item: ~.~ To: Mayar and City Counci! From: Barbara Stinchfield, Community and Cultural ~ervices Director Subject: Proposed Revisians to City's Cammemoration and Tribute Policy Recommended Actian Staff recommends that the City Counci! adapt the proposed revisions to the City's Park Commemaration and Tribute Policy and repeaf Resolution iVa. 8758 and adop# a new resalUtion to reflect the changes. Executive Summary This report recommends changes to the City's Park Cornmemoration and Tribute Palicy currently defined 'rn Resolution No, 8758 (Governing the Placement of Memcrrials and Tributes in City Parks). The proposed changes are intended to increase the number and type of tribute crptions available, establish pararneters for #he installation of plaques in new or renova#ed parks and open spaces, offer a s#andardized menu of simple tribute choices for the plaques, and generate revenue f4r park, beach and open space improvements. The three ~3) categaries proposed for tribute contributions are: general apen space imprc~vemen#s, specific park, beach and a#her open space amenities, and trees. )n addition ta honoring deceased loved ones and pets, the proposed program ~.~.~ City Councif Repor~ _~~N-w~ City af Santa Monica~ City Gouncil Meeting: March 24, 2407 Agenda Item: ~' ~ To: Mayor and City Council From: Barbara Stinchfield, Cammunity and Cultural Services Director Subject: Proposed Revisions ta City's Commemoration and Tribute Policy Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council adapt the proposed revisions to the City's Park Commemoration and Tribute Policy and amend Resolution No. 8758 to reflect the changes. Executive Summary This report recammends changes to the City's Park Commemora#ion and Tribute Policy currently defined in Resol~tion No. 8758 {Governing the Placement of Memorials and Tributes in City Parks). The proposed changes are in#ended to increase the number and type of tribute options available, establish parameters far the installatian of plaques in new or renavated parks and open spaces, ofFer a standardized menu af simple tribute choices for the plaques, and generate revenue for park, beach and open space improvements. The three {3) categories propased for tribute cantributians are: general open space improvements, specific park, beach and other open space amenities, and trees. In additian to honoring deceased loved ones and pets, the praposed pragram will be expanded ta include tributes for special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Discussion Backgraund In the early 1990's, the City ~ouncil approved a program whereby individuals could purchase a park bench and memarial plaque in memory af a loved ane and have it installed in Palisades Park. The pragram's popularity, along with concerns about the random placement of additional park benches to accammodate the demand, ~,rompted the Recreation and Parks Commission (RPC} to recommend a policy regulating the placement of inemorials and tributes in Gity parks. The policy was approved by City Council in ~ 994 as Resolution No. 8~58 -- Governing the Placement of Memorials and Tributes in City Parks (Attachment 1). AI#hough the Resolution outlines several optians for comrnemarating loved ones, the bench memorial option by far generated the most interest. Palisades ParEc, the mast popular of all sites, reached capacity two years ago and staff is no longer able ta accommodate additional requests. In an effort to ~ddress the public's continued interest in purchasing tributes as well as to ider~tify a possible rer~enue source for park, beach and open space impravemenfis, staff undertaok a review of the current memorial and tribute program. Staff reviewed the options set forth in the current Resolution, considered past praetice, surveyed how cities 2 nationwide handle memorial and tribute programs in public spaces, and sought input from both the RPC and the City Council. Staff found that most cities surveyed offer some sort of tribute program. Options range from making a monetary contribution or having a tree planted to buying a park bench or other amenity, Many cities market their programs to include not only the commemoration of a deceased Ic~ved one, both human and animal, but other special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. Cities that permit the placemen# of plaques in public spaces usually do so in limited areas and only if the contribution ta the City is significant. Previous Commission/Council Action At its November 20, 2003 meeting, the RPC supported expanding fihe City's memorial and tribute program to generate revenue for park and open space en~ancements. , Nowever, the Commission alsa expressed concern about the possible proliferation of plaques in parks and recommended tha# the installation af plaques be discontinued. Staff presented those recommendations to Council on March 9, 2044. Council noted that it was important to provide the public with the apportunity to purchase tribute plaques provided they were afFered in limited numbers and installed in very specific areas of the City's parks and open spaces. Council asked staff ta research and propase parameters that would allow the limited and legally-sound placement of plaques in parks and open spaces. 3 Proposed Chanqes Based on staff artalysis, RPC and City Council input, the fallowing are proposed changes to the commemoration and tribute program: Revise and Expand Tribute C}ptions 1} Accept #ribute contributions in the following three {3) categories: • Genera! Open Space lmprovements Contributions can be made at ar~y time starking at a minimum of $25 and up ta an unlimited amaunt. Contributions will be pooled and, depending on current park, beach or other open space needs, stafF will determine how the funds are used. Funds in this category are unrestricted and can be used for amenities, signage, lighting, landscape irnpravements, etc. Donors will be acknowledged with a special tribute certificate. • Speeific Park, Beach and other Open Space Amenifies Contributians can be made to pay for the entire cost of acquiring and instalaing needed park, beach or other open space amenities includ'rng but not limited ta benches, picnic tables, signage, water fountains, and bieachers. Staff will maintain an inventary of areas in need of new or replacement amenities and wifl publicize it, along with the cost of each, via the City's website, Seascape and CityN. Depending on the current need, staff will determine where #he amenity will be placed. Donors who contribute the total cost of the City acquiring and installing an open space amenity of significant value, which the Gity has previously determined is needed, will be 4 acknowledged with a plaque. Far purposes of this program, a significant amenity shall be ane valued at more than $750. Donors of smaller or less significant amenities will receive a special tribute certifica#e. • Community Forest Cantributions can be made to pay for the entire cast of acquiring, planting and caring for a new park, parkway or other open space tree. Three price options will be ofiFered based on the size of the tree {24", 3fi" or 48" bax), staff time, materials and whether or not a plaque is included. Depending on the current need, staff will determine where the tree will be planted. Donars of trees planted in parks, medians, parkways or other open spaces will be acknowledged with a specia{ tribute certificate. Donors of trees planted within stree#scapes or park improvements specifically designed for plaque holders may be acknowledged with plaques. 2) Allow cammemoration and tributes for special occasions, such as birkhdays and anniversaries as well as honoring deceased loved ones and pets. 3) Standardize the content of plaques by offering a set and limited menu of simple tributes such as "in honor of..." or "in memory of..." Revise and Expand Sites for Installation of Plaques Staff recommends allowing new plaques in public open space areas af the Gity that are being developed or renovated. Daing so would ensure that the plaque instalfations are 5 incorporated into the design of the space and appear as an integrated feature, not an afterthought. Ideas for tribute plaque sites include: + strategically placed plaques in front of tree wells as part of new streetscape projects an 2n~ Street, 4~" Street, 20th ~treet, Cloverfield Boulevard and the Exposition Bike and Pedestrian Path; • a tribute wall or other design element integrated into the clesign of the new Civic Center public spaces; • small plaques embedded into replacement benches along Barnard Way Linear Park and Ocean Front Walk. The City wilE determine, as park of the planning for the overall improvements, the number of available tribute spaces a# each site, the size of the plaques, and their placement into the design af the space Offer a Standardized Menu of Simple Tributes The purpose of the commemoration and tribute program wauld be to provide apportunities for tributes and to raise revenues to improve public recreational spaces. The purpose would not be to open a public forum for communicating particular messages. If a forum were apened, the City would lack the pawer to control the conten# of the plaques. Ta achieve the program's goals, while avaiding First Amendmen# issues, sfiaff recommends offerirtg a standardized and limited menu af simple tribute options for plaques. Those wishing to pay tribute would be required to select fram this menu. s Implement Creative Marketing Strategies Recognizing that the commemoration and tribute program can be a source of revenue for the City, the RPC asked staff to identify and deveiap creative marketing strategies to promote the program. Staff intends to wark with students from the Art Institute of Los Angeles, Ir~cated in Santa Monica, to develop a professional, attractive marketing identity that can be used in all publicity and cammunity outreach efforts. Marketing strategies will include reguiarly publicizing program information, tribute opportunities, and a commemora#ion/tribute order farm in Seascape and on the City's website, as well as runrting public serviee annauncements on CityN. flther marketing strategies will be explored as well. Acknowledgments of danors and annual reports an donated items could also be published in Seascape or on the Ci~y's website. An important component of the program will be to ensure that donors understand that materials or amenities that have been acquired thraugh the tribute and commemaration program becorr-e the property of the City ta maintain and manage. Conditions at facilities change over time and, although every effort will be made to preserve these items, there may be a need to have them removed, relocated or repiaced. S#aff will attempt to notify donors of changes as they occur. Budget/Financial Impacts The recommendations presented in this report do not have a budget or financial impact as the program is cost cavering. If policy revisions are approved, accounts will need to 7 be established to record receipt of funds and to appropriate funds ailowing t~em to be available for program use. Prepared by: Elaine Polachek, tapen Space Manager Appraved: ~rF.....t..u..~._...~....~ ,Kd~-~Gt~...,._.~..L.. ~2, .l~ Barbara Stinchfield Director, Community & Cultural ~erv Forwarded to Council: ~rnont Ewell Manager Attachments 1. Current Resolution 8758 - Governing the Placement of Memorials and Tributes in City Parks 2. Revised Resolution 8 CCS:SEM:se:memresQ Santa Monica, California Council Me~~ing: Ma~ 24, 1994 RE~~LUTZ~N N~. $7~~ A RE~~LUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA M~NICA G~VERNING THE PL~ACEMENT OF MEMQRIALS AND TFtIBUTES IN CITY PARKS WHEREAS, ~he Ci~y prc~vides public parks for ac~~.ve recreata..onal use and passive celebra~ion af na~ura2 beau~y by ~he generaZ public; and WHEREAS, memlaers of the publ~c wish to memorialize friends or relatives at c~r in con.junction wa.th a favorite park car recreatic~nal activity; and WHEREAS, the Recreata.o~a. and Par~s Ccammissic~n has adc~pted the following palicy regarding the placement of inemc~rials in parks, NOW, THEREFtJRE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE GITY OF SANTA MC)NICA DOES RESOLVE AS F4ZLOW~: SECTION l. To endorse the ~ollawing policy af the Recreation and Parks Commis~ion adopted by them an C}ctober 21, 1993: POLICY REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF MEMC7RIAL~ ANL} TRIBUTES IN CITY PARK~ City park~ are a~carce resource provided ~or acti~r~ reereational use and passive celebration of na~ural beauty~ by the general 1 public. The Recreatian and Parks Commissi~n recognizes ~he desire of inembers o~ ~he public ta memorialize or pay tribute ~a deceased f~iends or rela~zves a~ ~r in con~unction wi~h a favori~e park or recreatianal aCtivity. The Commission believes tha~ placement af memorials or ~ributes ~o private individuals in Ci~y parks must be governed by a policy ~hat preserves a pas~tive experience for ~he public in the park, ensures tha~ all cas~s of a memorial c~r ~ribu~e are born~ by those requesting it, and provides a net benefit ~a park users. The following types of inemorials are authori.zed on the folZowing conditionsf ~ubject ta ~peci.fic approval which shall be given an a ca~e by ca~e basis consis~ent w~th the foregoing policy: o ~or a minimum con.tribution. af $25 to the City` s tree ftznd or recreation Scholarship fund, a memarial certifzcate may be provided to the family or friend and the gift may be acl~nowledged in an annual report kept an fi~.e at the Santa Monica Public I_,ibrary . o ~'or a dona~ion to the tree fund of the value of an existi.ng tree and the cos~ c~f staff time and material~, a~ determined by the Director of ~otnmunity and Cultural Service~, a ~mall memorial plaque of a uniform design determined by the Di.rector a~ Community and Cultural Services and bearing the ~pecie~ name ar~d the name of the individual horiored cnay be pl~.ced at the base o~ ~he tree. o For the co~t af acquisi~ian and installation, a bench, drinking fountain or other public amenity certified as needed and consistent wi~h park design standards by the DirecLor c~f Community 2 and Cultural ~ervice~ may be donated. An appropriate memarial plaque, as determined by the Director of Communit~ and Cultural Services, may be affixed to the donated amenity. o Placement of free standing memarial~ ta individualS in park~ will be considered anly when the individual memorialized i5 of extraordinary s~ature and the memarial is exceptional in design. An ex~ended approval process involving appropria~e commis~ion~ and Ci~y Council actian will be required. When a park is seheduled far renovation, no plaqueS or amenitie~ may be placed un~il park design s~andards and amenity selections are finalized. The Ci~~ will no~ bear respons~bili~~ for replacement o~ last, stolen or vandalized plaques. SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certif~ to ~he adaption of ~his resoluti.on and thence~c~rth and thereafter Che same shall be in full force and effect. APPRC}VEL} .AS T(~ F{~F2M : ~ ~,.c's.. P~.~.. G~..~- ~~;, Mar ha Jane ou~rie City Attorney 3 Adopted and approved this 31st day of May, 199~. ayor I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution 8758 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the City Gouncil held on the 31st day of May, 1994 by the follQwing vote: Ayes: Councilmembers: Noes: Councilmembers: Abstain: Councilmembers: Absent: Councilmernbers: Abdo, Censer, Greenberg, Holbrc~ok, C11sen, Rosenstein, Vazquez None None i~Tone ATTEST: ~ ~~ City Cle k e erence eso u ~ o n o.