REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Julie Toledo, Public Affairs Officer
Subject:
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City Celebration Committee Recommendation for America 250 Time Capsule and Plaque at Patriot Park - Civic Center
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Statement of Issue:
The City Celebration Committee recommends installing a carefully curated time capsule representing Surf City during the 2026 America 250 celebration. The capsule is intended to capture 2026 City official celebrations, people, places, traditions, organizations, businesses, and community experiences that make Huntington Beach unique. The capsule would be placed at the Civic Center in Patriot Park, located behind the Queen’s Rose Garden.
The City Celebration Committee requests City Council approve the plaque design and language for the America 250 Time Capsule.
If approved, the time capsule and plaque dedication ceremony is tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2026, (or later in December) at the Civic Center to formally seal the capsule.
Financial Impact:
Design, production and installation of the plaque is expected not to exceed $1,500, funding is available in account 10030301.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve the City Celebration Committee’s recommendation to install an America 250 Time Capsule and Plaque at Patriot Park; and
B) Vote to set aside Resolution No. 2017-25 and direct staff to proceed with producing the plaque as-is or with edits.
Council is also asked to review the suggested items to be included in the time capsule.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve recommended action and direct staff accordingly. If Resolution No. 2017-25 is not set aside the City Council may direct staff to submit the proposed plaque to the Community & Library Services Commission for review.
Analysis:
The City Celebration Committee proposes the Huntington Beach America 250 Time Capsule concept to preserve a representative snapshot of the City during the 2026 America 250 celebration for future generations. The capsule is intended to document the City's official commemorative activities, people, places, traditions, organizations, businesses, and community experiences that define Huntington Beach in the year 2026.
The overarching goal is that, when opened 50 years from now, 2076, the capsule will help future residents understand what Huntington Beach looked like, felt like, experienced, and valued in 2026.
The City has continually celebrated America 250 throughout 2026. The City Celebration Committee records reflect a yearlong calendar organized around themes including local history, military service, patriotism, the nation's 250th anniversary, and remembrance.
If approved, City Public Information staff will post a social media campaign asking the community for its input regarding suggested items to include in the time capsule.
Suggested items to include in the time capsule:
• America 250 banner/logo materials (small banner, hat, small replica cannon)
• A book prepared by Committee Member Patti Papas as to a written history and images of Huntington Beach's 2026 America 250 celebrations.
• 2026 City Celebration calendar, programs, flyers, invitations, and selected media coverage.
• Photographs documenting major events - 4th of July, Marathon, US Open, Air Show, etc.
• Boy Scout America 250 speech from Banner Reveal event.
• Letters from the Mayor and City Celebration Committee.
• Postcard messages from participants in the City’s Junior Citizens Academy.
• Photographs of the 2026 City Council, City Celebration Committee, and other elected officials.
• 2026 Newspaper
• Photos of the Pier, surfing and coastline.
• Flash drives with videos/photographs.
The proposed plaque language would include the following (see attached rendering):
• HB 250 logo
• America 250 Time Capsule
• Dedicated [date]
• In commemoration of America’s Semiquincentennial
• To be Reopened in 2076
Requests for approval of plaque language are normally submitted to the Community and Library Services Commission for consideration; however, the Council may vote to set aside Resolution No. 2017-25 and direct staff to proceed with producing the plaque as-is or with edits.
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. Draft - America 250 Time Capsule Plaque Rendering