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: Carrie Gonzales, Management Aide
Subject:
title
Approve the conceptual design for the Michael E. Rodgers memorial wall at the Senior Center in Central Park as recommended by the Community & Library Services Commission
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Statement of Issue:
Staff requests City Council to review and approve the conceptual design for the Michael E. Rodgers memorial wall at the Senior Center in Central Park as recommended by the Community & Library Services Commission.
Financial Impact:
Existing funds within the FY 2022/23 Community & Library Services Department Program and Services budget are available to fund the cost of production and installation.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve the recommendation by the Community & Library Services Commission to approve the conceptual design for the Michael E. Rodgers memorial wall located in the central hallway at the Senior Center in Central Park.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
At the June 5, 2017 City Council Meeting, Councilmember Patrick Brenden submitted an item requesting consideration be given to naming the parkland located at 1706 Orange Avenue. The parkland contained the former Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center and an outreach building. City Council approved the recommended action, referring the issue to the Community Services Commission (Commission) Parks Naming & Memorials Committee (PNMC) for review and recommendation.
In the ensuing time, the Commission considered various names and concepts, including whether or not the building should be named separately from the parkland itself. The Commission also determined that formal recommendations should be based on the final use of the property. On July 20, 2020, the City Council approved a Master Plan for the former site.
At the May 11, 2022 Commission meeting, the PNMC approved a recommendation to a name the parkland “17th Street Park” and the community building the “Michael E. Rodgers Clubhouse.”
At the June 7, 2022 meeting, City Council approved the recommendation to name the parkland “17th Street Park,” but directed staff to explore other naming options for the community building to honor veterans of the United States armed forces, in addition to evaluating recognition opportunities for Michael E. Rodgers at the Senior Center in Central Park. (Attachment 1)
At the August 24, 2022 meeting, the Commission approved a recommendation to City Council to dedicate the central hallway wall in the Senior Center in Central Park. However, per Resolution 2017-25, the text to be included on the memorial plaque would need to be approved by the Historic Resources Board (HRB) prior to being approved by the Commission.
On March 15, 2023, the memorial plaque text was approved by the HRB and on April 12, 2023, the Commission reviewed and unanimously approved the conceptual design for the Michael E. Rodgers wall at the Senior Center in Central Park.
The cost of the plaque is $2,821 and can be funded with existing appropriations in the FY 2022/23 Community and Library Services Programs and Services budget. The dedicated wall space will be 60 inches x 37.75 inches and will include a picture of Michael E. Rodgers and the memorial plaque, which includes a short life biography and a summary of his accomplishments as an advocate for seniors as shown in Attachment 2. Staff anticipates that the plaque will be completed within the next 30 - 60 days and will be scheduling an unveiling ceremony as soon as a firm date is known.
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:
Infrastructure & Parks
Attachment(s):
1. City Council June 7, 2022 Meeting Minutes Excerpt
2. Michael E. Rodgers Conceptual Design
3. Michael E. Rodgers Memorial Wall PowerPoint