REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Ashley Wysocki, Acting Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Ashley Wysocki, Acting Director of Community & Library Services
Subject:
title
Approve the design and installation of a chronological plaque depicting the restoration milestone efforts of community volunteers at Norma Brandel Gibbs Park as recommended by the Community & Library Service Commission.
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Statement of Issue:
There has been a request by Leslie Gilson, volunteer Restoration Coordinator for Norma Brandel Gibbs Park, to design and install a plaque memorializing the chronology of volunteer efforts and restoration milestones of the park since 2007.
Financial Impact:
There are sufficient funds in Facilities & Development Account 10045401 to cover the cost of design and installation of the plaque ($1,651).
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve the recommendation by the Community & Library Services Commission for the design and installation of a plaque honoring volunteer efforts of the restoration and beautification of Norma Brandel Gibbs Park on a pylon at the western entrance of the park.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Since 2007, Leslie Gilson and many other community members, such as the Huntington Beach Tree Society, have dedicated their time, efforts, and funding to restore the Monarch butterfly habitat at Norma Brandel Gibbs Park through a comprehensive stewardship plan. The park is fondly referred to as “Gibb’s Butterfly Park” (Park).
On March 10, 2021, Ms. Gilson provided an informational presentation to the Community Services Commission regarding a proposed project to restore the aging pylons at the east entrance of the Park. The restoration was to include refurbishment of the deteriorating entry pillars and the addition of artwork depicting the life cycle of butterflies by artist, Lubica Selica, who has in the past restored other butterfly artwork within the park. The project went through the design review process as item 21-003 and was approved by the Design Review Board on March 30, 2021. The restoration and beautification project funding was solely provided by volunteers with no use of City funds.
In acknowledgement of these and past efforts, the City intends to install a plaque at the west entry pylons honoring the efforts of Ms. Gilson and the other volunteers. The plaque will also provide a chronology of the restoration milestones. The proposed information on the plaque, provided by Leslie Gilson, was reviewed by Kathie Schey, City Archivist and Chair of the Historic Resources Board for accuracy.
Resolution 2017-25 requires that all recommendations for memorial recognition on public property be processed through the Community & Library Services Commission. At the February 8, 2023 Community & Library Services Commission meeting, the Commission approved the recommendation to City Council to approve the design and installation of the plaque. At the May 17, 2023 Historic Resources Board meeting, the Board also approved the plaque language, as reviewed and recommended by the Historic Resources Board Chair.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Community Engagement
Attachment(s):
1. Gibbs Park Historical Plaque Rendering
2. Gibbs Park PowerPoint