REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
Subject:
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Approve the language, design, donation and installation of the Sons of the American Revolution America 250 Memorial Bench on City Hall Property as approved by the Community & Library Services Commission
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Statement of Issue:
The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) have submitted a request to donate and fund an America 250 memorial bench near the Veterans Memorial located on the City Hall grounds.
Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact on the general fund. Sons of the American Revolution will fully fund the project.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve the language, design, donation and installation of the Sons of the American Revolution America 250 Memorial Bench near the Veterans Memorial on City Hall property.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) formed in 1989 and is comprised of descendants of the American Revolution. SAR has approached the City to donate and install a memorial bench honoring the nation’s 250th birthday near the Veterans Memorial located on the City Hall grounds. Using the City’s current memorial bench producer, the bench will be constructed of concrete, replacing a park bench adjacent to the existing Veterans Memorial near City Hall’s front walkway (Attachment 1).
On August 12, 2026, the Community & Library Services Commission reviewed and recommended for approval the language, design and installation of the memorial bench.
Resolution 2017-25 establishes policy guidelines for naming and memorial recognition within City parks and community facilities. Section 7 specifically provides criteria for memorial bench donations and donor recognition. While the physical design of the bench will match memorial benches throughout Huntington Beach, the inscription designs will be different. When viewing the bench from the front, the proposed inscriptions include (Attachment 2):
• Side 1: Huntington Beach logo
• Side 2: Sons of American Revolution Logo
• Backrest: “Celebrating 250 Years of Independence”
• Seat: “In Commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence We Honor the Men and Women Who Fought for the Cause of Liberty 1776-2026”
• Front of Seat: Sons of the American Revolution
• Front of Side 1: 1776
• Front of Side 2: 2026
Once produced, a dedication ceremony for the bench will be scheduled.
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:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. City Hall Veterans Memorial Location
2. Memorial Bench Rendering
3. PowerPoint Presentation