HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2015-01-12 #M AGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: January 12, 2015
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU: Jill R. Ingram, City Manager
FROM: Sean P. Crumby P.E., Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF MEMORIAL BENCH AND EXPAND THE
FOREST PROGRAM POLICY
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 6531 adopting a Memorial Bench and
Expand the Forest Program Policy.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:
Over the past ten years, approximately 75-80 memorial benches honoring
members of the community and their loved ones have been placed throughout
the community as part of the City's memorial bench program. The program
allows the public to purchase and install park benches as memorials. Bench
sponsors must submit an application and fees for the bench as well as work with
staff to select a location for its placement. The program was originally created to
add benches on City streets and within the Electric Avenue greenbelt. There
have never been appropriate locations for new benches pre-identified for parks
and park spaces. In recent years, there have been requests to add benches and
trees within City Parks. In 2013, the City completed a Parks and Community
Services Master Plan. The plan identified a need for additional benches and
trees within the City parks, particularly a need to diversify the age of the City's
urban forest. To address the community request, staff has pre-identified and
mapped park locations throughout the City that provide opportunities for benches
and trees.
In identifying locations, staff considered factors such as accessibility from
existing paved walking surfaces (ADA compliance), and spacing around park
amenities. This was done to ensure that park facilities do not become saturated
with memorial benches leaving less room for active and passive uses. In
evaluating locations for tree planting opportunities, recommendations include
location and tree species.
Agenda Item M
Memorial Bench Program
The existing memorial bench program allows residents to place a memorial
bench within the City right of way to honor a deceased family member. When the
bench has reached the end of its useful life, the memorial plaque is returned to
the family and the bench is removed. The proposed Policy would continue,
extend, and formalize this program.
Expand the Forest Program
Potential locations for memorial trees have also been identified as part of an
Expand the Forest Program. In lieu of purchasing and dedicating a bench, there
is now the option of purchasing a memorial tree to be planted in several parks or
in the Electric Avenue Greenbelt. Species of trees have also been pre-identified
to complement existing trees, allow continued active use of open spaces, and to
prevent invasive root systems near hard surfaces. Once planted, the City will
assume the maintenance of memorial trees which would be incorporated into the
City's tree inventory.
Policy Review
In 2013, staff presented the Expand the Forest Program to the City's Tree
Advisory Committee. The Committee was receptive to the program, as it
provides an additional opportunity to expand the City's urban forest. The
committee recommended, however, that dedication plaques should not be
included as part of the Expand the Forest Program.
On November 19, 2014, staff presented the proposed memorial bench and tree
location maps to the City's Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission
concurred with staff's recommended placement locations, but noted that
memorial trees and benches should not be placed in Blue Bell Park until the
Master Plan for that park and the Seal Beach Tennis Center is completed.
Based on this recommendation, staff revised the proposed policy to not allow
memorial benches or trees in any park that is scheduled for renovation.
ENVIRONMENTAL NMENTAL IMPACT:
Staff has determined that the Program is not a project subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15601(b)(3) of the CEQA
Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the
Program will have a significant effect on the environment.
LEGAL ANALYSIS:
The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed policy and resolution and approved
each as to form.
Page 2
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 6531 adopting a Memorial Bench and
Expand the Forest Program Policy.
SUBMITTED S :... NOTED AND APPROVED:
P.E. J' In ram,
Sean P. Crumby, g City Main g r
Director of Public Wore
Prepared by: Luis Estevez, Deputy Director of Public Works/Maintenance and
Utilities
Attachments:
A. Bench and Tree Placement Maps
B. Memorial Bench and Expand the Forest Program Policy
C. Resolution No. 6531
Page 3
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
MEMORIAL BENCH AND EXPAND THE FOREST PROGRAM
SECTION INDEX NO. ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE COUNCIL CM APPROVAL
APPROVAL
400 16 1/12/15 1/12/15
1. SCOPE
This City Council Policy establishes a "Memorial Bench and Expand the Forest Program"
to allow City residents to place benches and trees in City parks and in the City rights-of-
way to serve as memorials to deceased residents of the City subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this policy. This Policy applies to City parks and rights-of-way
throughout the City.
2. PURPOSE AND INTENT
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the placement of benches and trees
in City parks and the City rights-of-way to memorialize deceased residents of the City in a
manner that prevents a proliferation of such memorials that would change the nature of
City parks and public rights-of-way.
It is express purpose of this policy that the placement of memorial benches and trees on
public property shall not become a public forum for First Amendment purposes. Plaques
placed on memorial benches shall be therefore limited to the manner and content
prescribed in this Policy. No other messages shall be allowed on memorial benches or
trees.
3. POLICY
MEMORIAL BENCH AND EXPAND THE FOREST POLICY
GENERAL PROVISIONS
• The Department of Public Works will administer this program.
• Any person wishing to participate in the Program shall complete an application on a
form approved by the Director of Public Works.
• The Director of Public Works, or an appointed designee, will determine the type of
bench or tree to be placed on City property based solely on the suitability of the
bench or tree for the proposed location and without regard to the identity of the
applicant or the person or persons to be memorialized.
• Placement of benches and trees shall be limited to those locations that have been
previously determined and mapped by the Public Works Department. Each
applicant will have the ability to review placement maps and select a preferred
location where the bench or tree would be located. Bench and tree placement
locations shall not deviate from the established locations.
• All costs associated with the purchase and installation of a bench or tree will be
borne by the applicant. The approximate price range for benches is currently
$1,200-$1,600 depending on the bench style. The approximate cost of 24-inch box
trees is currently $195. Any changes to program costs will be addressed through
regular budget procedures and the City's fee schedule. These costs may change
over time, but in no event shall the cost charged to applicants exceed the
reasonable cost incurred by the City. All costs shall be discussed and reviewed
with applicants prior to approval of an application. The cost for a bench shall
include, but not necessarily be limited to the cost of any memorial plaque and a
concrete pad.
• The City shall not provide routine maintenance for sponsored benches for the
service life of the bench. The City may remove any damaged or vandalized
benches that are no longer safe or suited for public use. The City shall contact the
applicant of any removed bench.
• The cost for memorial trees shall include the cost of the tree and cost of installation.
The City shall incorporate memorial trees into its tree inventory and memorial trees
and shall maintain the tree throughout its natural life-cycle.
• Applicants for memorial benches may order a memorial plaque to be placed on the
bench at their own expense. The text of such plaques shall be limited to a brief
statement identifying the person or persons to be memorialized and the person or
persons sponsoring the memorial. The person or persons to be memorialized shall
have been at one time a resident or residents of the City. The maximum allowable
size for a plaque is 6" x 10" or 1" x 10", depending on type of bench. The Director of
Public Works shall develop and maintain guidelines for the physical installation of
plaques on benches.
• Plaques shall not be permitted at or on memorial trees.
• The Director of Public Works, or appointed designee, will determine the date and
time the bench or tree will be installed, and applicant will subsequently be notified.
• When previously identified bench and tree site locations are exhausted, no further
benches or trees will be added.
PROCEDURES
The Department of Public Works shall maintain on file a tracking form for each memorial
bench and tree application, which will include the following:
1. Request details.
2. Location
3. Applicant Information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Date of Request, and or
affiliated organization information)
4. Request Approval/Denial
5. Confirmation of memorial approval with installation date, or denial with explanation
and alternatives.
6. Installation Date
7. Department Signature, Title, and Date
OTHER REGULATIONS
• The City may provide minor maintenance of memorial benches (tightening of bolts).
Major maintenance or repairs (broken slats) may necessitate removal of the bench.
Once a memorial bench has reached the end of its useful service life or has been
vandalized or damaged beyond repair, it will be removed from service and the
bench sponsors contacted. Bench sponsors will have the opportunity to have a new
bench reinstalled and if they elect not to, this location will be added to the pre-
identified map inventory and made available to other potential bench sponsors.
• No memorial benches or trees shall be placed in any City park scheduled for
renovation until park design standards and selections are finalized.
• In the event that an area containing memorial benches or trees is re-developed, the
applicant will be notified as to the location of the alternative site and/or replacement
bench or tree.
• If a bench or tree must be removed, the City will bear the responsibility for removal
of the existing bench or tree.
• The City will not bear responsibility for replacement of lost, stolen, or vandalized
benches or plaques.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 6531
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTING A MEMORIAL BENCH AND EXPAND THE FOREST
PROGRAM POLICY
THE SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY FIND AND RESOLVE:
Section 1. The City Council hereby adopts the Memorial Bench and Expand
the Forest Program Policy as presented and approved at the City Council
meeting on January 12, 2015.
Section 2. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager to implement the
policy.
Section 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the Seal Beach City Council at a
regular meeting held on the 12th day of January 2015 by the following
vote:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Members:
ABSENT: Council Members:.
ABSTAIN: Council Members:
ATTEST: Mayor
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } SS
CITY OF SEAL BEACH }
I, Tina Knapp, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach„ do hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution is the original copy of Resolution Number 6531 on file in
the office of the City Clerk, passed, approved, and adopted by the Seal Beach
City Council at a regular meeting held on the 121h day of ,,, , 2015.
City Clerk