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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04) 7C Authorization to Temporarily Hang Blue Star Banner on LTunasCity Council February 21, 2012 Page2 ANALYSIS: On June 1, 2004, the City Council considered a request from Sharon Johnson proposing banners with the names of members of armed forces be hung from light standards on Las Tunas Drive . The Council continued the item to their meeting of June 15, 2004 . The item was reconsidered on June 15, 2004 and the Blue Star Banner program was ultimately approved by the Council, with the City as a co-sponsor, allowing the use of City resources, and insurance, for the program. A copy of the minutes of the June 1 and June 15, 2004 City Council meetings are attached for review . It should be noted that no formal agreement or contract, memorializing the Council action, was developed or executed . When the program began in 2004, direction from the Council was to begin placement of the Blue Star banners on the Las Tunas Drive light poles beginning at Temple City Boulevard and continuing east and west along Las Tunas. There was no mention of installing banners on any other poles . However, since that time, the program has expanded and banners are currently hung on light poles on Temple City Boulevard and Rosemead Boulevard. Many of the poles currently being used for Blue Star banners are not owned by the City but rather are Southern California Edison (SCE) poles or poles under the control of the County of Los Angeles . The City does not have an existing agreement with either SCE or the County authorizing the use of their pole s for this purpose . In addition, staff has been working with the Code Amendment ad hoc committee and the City Prosecutor to develop an ordinance regulating use of City poles tor displays and advertising. Because of these issues and concerns, when many banners were damaged or felled from the recent windstorm, the banners were not replaced . Representatives from the Blue Star Banner program have requested the banners be re- hung prior to the upcoming Camellia Festival, February 24-26, 2012 . Because of damage from the windstorm , new brackets and adaptors are needed to re-hang the banners . It approval is given by the Council to re-hang the banners, the cost for the new brackets and adaptors will be paid with Blue Star Banner funds. The City's tree crew would install the new brackets, where needed, and hang the banners. Staff is recommending the City Council authorize the banners to be re -hung on City-owned light poles on Las Tunas Drive, between Rowland and Lorna , on a temporary basis until such time as a banner policy/ordinance is approved by the City Council. Staff has surveyed the poles and banners on Las Tunas Drive and estimates 50 banners can be re-hung. The Blue Star Banner representatives would determine which banners would be hung. Staff is further suggesting that an agreement, or conditions for use of City poles , be negotiated with the coordinator of the Blue Star Banner program after the City Council has considered and approved an ordinance regulating the use of the City owned poles for display purposes. City Council February 21, 2012 Page 3 CONCLUSION: Representatives from the Blue Star Banner program have requested the City re-hang Blue Star Banners along Las Tunas Drive prior to the 2012 Camellia Festival. Staff is requesting City Council authorization to temporarily hang the banners on Las Tunas Drive between Rowland and Lorna until such time as a policy or ordinance is approved by the Council regulating use of City-owned poles for display purposes. FISCAL IMPACT: Approval of this item will not have an impact on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011-12 City budget since the cost of the brackets and adaptors will be paid from Blue Star Banner funds. Staff resources will, however, be used tore-hang the banners. Staff estimates it will take a two-man tree crew two days to complete the installation of the banners. ATTACHMENTS: A. Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 1, 2004 B. Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 15, 2004 City Council Minutes June 1 , 2004 Page 7 SECTION 3326 OF THE TEMPLE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO OVERNIGHT PARKING PERMITS; adopt Resolution No. 04-4267, a RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY ESTABLISHING VEHICLE IMPOUND COST RECOVERY FEE; adopt Resolution No. 04-4268, a RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY ESTABLISHING PLANNING, ZONING AND SUBDIVISION FEES FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SERVICES ; and adopt Resolution NO. 04-4269, a RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY ESTABLISHING TEMPORARY OVERNIGHT PARKING PERMIT FEES, seconded by Councilmember Capra and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote: AYES : NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN : Councilmember-Capra , Vizcarra, Wong, Zovak Councilmember-None Councilmember -Arrighi Councilmember-None 9 . COMMUNICATIONS A. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM MS. SHARON JOHNSON RELATIVE TO PLACING A BANNER City Manager Cole stated the City received a written request from Ms . Sharon Johnson expressing support of our troops and proposing a banner with one of three different types of verbiage to be hung across City streets long-term or perpetually. Under the City's existing banner policy, only non-profit community organizations are permitted to display banners at two street locations for a period of three weeks. As an alternative, it was suggested Ms. Johnson may wish to contact a non-profit group to support her effort. When Ms. Johnson came back into City Hall last Friday with pictures of the Blue Star program as done in Monrovia, her proposal had changed to banners being placed on light standards as modeled after this City's program. City Manager Cole reviewed Council's actions in support of our troops by an ongoing display at City Hall dedicated to Temple City residents who have served in the Armed Forces , an annual remembrance of September 11 1h including a banner display, continued support of a City sponsored Independence Day featuring the Marine Corp Band, and Veterans Day events in July and November. In addition, the City has several monuments dedicated to our troops in Temple City Park, which recently were cleaned by a local Eagle Scout candidate, and continuously flies American flags along Las Tunas Drive. Sharon Johnson, 5615B, Sultana Avenue, offered her proposal in support of our troops, advocating the Blue Star Program by displaying banners with names of members of the armed forces from light standards and submitted a letter from the Mayor of Monrovia advocating the Blue Star Program as endorsed by that City. Residents and businesses will offer assistance, and Kiwanis will offer support by lending their insurance. She gathered many signatures in support of this proposal in just two days and provided pictures of the banners. Ms. Johnson replied to Council's questions. Mayor Zovak stated the City has been supportive of the Blue Star Program as coordinated by Cathe Wilson and asked if Ms. Johnson had been in touch with Ms. Wilson. City Council Minutes June 1, 2004 Page 8 Ms . Johnson replied she was not told to contact anyone. Councilmembers expressed concerns regarding the size of the pole banners and overlapping ongoing efforts of similar programs, and suggested Ms . Johnson contact the coordinator of the Blue Star Program in Temple City. The item could then be brought back to Council for further consideration. Mayor Zovak reiterated the number of ways the City has shown support of our troops. Council recently elected to continue holding Veterans Day and September 11 1h Remembrances even though turnout has been poor. The City provided yellow ribbons for volunteers to place along Las Tunas and voted to continue flying flags all along Las Tunas , modified with weights to hang properly. The commemorative plaques in Temple City Park have been cleaned in preparation for the Fourth of July Concert. The City annually sponsors Poppy Day through the American Legion Auxiliary and has given out a number of certificates through the Blue Star Program to Temple City individuals who are serving their country. Ms. Johnson said she talked to four families who were very anxious to see their family names on the banners. Everybody has flags, but this is special. When she goes to Monrovia, the banners are out there for everyone to see and it is very inspiring and emotional. Council again suggested Ms. Johnson contact the Blue Star Program coordinator to avoid duplication of efforts, and when ready to bring a proposal back to Council , to contact the City Manager. Michael Miller, representi ng Temple City Kiwanis, stated Ms. Johnson asked for the group's support which voted to back her first proposal of hanging a banner across the street. Now the proposal is to hang the banners on poles. Mr. Miller suggested a banner may be placed on the bandstand. City Manager Cole responded, if Council ultimately considered approving the banners on light poles with city crews installing them, the insurance would no longer be an issue. Regarding the bandstand, the City would have to consider impacts to other groups who hold events there and hanging a banner there for an indefinite period of time. Bob Tyler, stated as a veteran, he was appalled regarding the feeling about the war when service people are over there getting killed , and thought the City should support this idea. The City should expedite this and get it underway. People would like to see their names up there as a thank you. Mayor Zovak stated the item will be brought back to Council with additional information from Ms. Johnson and staff. 10 . RECESS TO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY At 8:34 p.m. the City Council recessed to the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting. Minutes of the Agency Meeting are set forth in full in the Agency's records. RECONVENE AS CITY COUNCIL The City Council meeting reconvened at 6:40 p.m . with all Councilmembers present except Mayor Pro Tern Arrighi. RECESS TO FINANCING AUTHORITY At 6:40 p.m . the City Council recessed to the Financing Authority meeting . Minutes of the Authority Meeting are set forth in full in the Authority's records. City Council Minutes June 15, 2004 Page 5 signatures in support of this program and the enthusiasm is overwhelming. This will bring the City together in support of ou r service men and women. She said she was only asking the City to place the banners , as citizens and businesses in Temple City are paying all costs incurred. She presented a sample banner. Cathe Wilson stated the sample banner showed the name of former Mayor Tom Atkins grandson. Ms. Wilson stated the banners cost $65 each . Regarding qualifications, it was suggested that any service person would be eligible, provided the service person, their spouse, parents or grandparents resided in Temple City. Ms. Wilson said they had 55 names at present. She felt Christmas and other banners would take away from these banners. Discussion continued regarding details of the program. Councilmember Wong moved to approve the proposal as presented with the City to co-sponsor the Blue Star Program and open a joint account for funds received, with the names of service persons to be placed on banners to hang on light poles along Las Tunas and Temple City Boulevard, with eligibility lim ited to those service persons residing in Temple City, or whose spouse, parents or grandparents live in Temple City, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Arrighi and unanimously carried. 10. RECESS TO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY At 8:32 p.m. the City Council recessed to the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting . Minutes of the Agency Meeting are set forth in full in the Agency's records . RECONVENE AS CITY COUNCIL The City Council meeting reconvened at 8:34p.m. with all Councilmembers present. 11 . RECESS TO FINANCING AUTHORITY At 8:34 p.m. the City Council recessed to the Financing Authority meeting. Minutes of the Authority Meeting are set forth in full in the Authority's records. RECONVENE AS CITY COUNCIL The City Council meeting reconvened at 8:36p.m. with all Councilmembers present. 12. ACTION ON REQUEST BY CRA-None 13. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA-None 14. UPDATE FROM CITY MANAGER A. CONDOLENCE BOOK FOR RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY City Manager Cole presented pages from a condolence book provided by Governor Schwarzenegger for the Council and members of the public to sign . The book will be presented to the Reagan family. In addition , Mayor Zovak took replica pages for signatures at the Concert in the Park. Mayor Zovak added that the City Council also signed a card to be sent to Mrs . Reagan . 15. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS-None 16. COUNCIL REPORTS REGARDING AD HOC OR COMMISSION MEETINGS Mayor Pro Tern Arrighi , referring to a topic from the Sanitation District meeting , asked Council to consider taking a stance on legislative matters that affect the residents of Temple City.