TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Linda Robb, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Holiday Event Enhancements (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council consider and provide direction on holiday event enhancements.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no fiscal implication associated with the recommended action at this time. Staff is evaluating the costs for the proposed installation of banners and American flags as well as in-house installation of these items by Public Works. If the City Council directs staff to proceed with event enhancements, staff can determine costs for any selected event enhancements which could be included as a request within the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 Budget process.
Staff has gathered cost estimates for the following enhancements:
• Installation of 71 American Flag locations, including hardware: $18,000.
• Installation of 30 American Flags at Polliwog Park, including hardware: $10,000.
• Purchase and installation of a Thank You Veteran’s banner: $1,500.
BACKGROUND:
At the City Council meeting on July 5, City Council directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to develop a list of possible holiday event enhancements to the community each year. Council asked the Commission to look at major holidays on the calendar and create a template “checklist” that will live on and provide the same event deliverables each year.
Additionally, City Council directed staff to revisit the seasonal displays of American flags throughout the City that were cut during the pandemic.
DISCUSSION:
The Parks and Recreation Commission established an ad-hoc committee at their July 24, 2023 meeting, and met on two separate occasions to discuss options for existing and possible new special event enhancements.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering and honoring the military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
The design of the Veterans Memorial located on the Veterans Parkway at 15th Street honors veterans both living and those killed in action. The Veterans Memorial consists of two black granite triangles representing the shape of a folded American flag which is given to the families of veterans who have died. There are 50 stars on the Memorial (25 on each triangle) representing the 50 United States. The stars on the vertical triangle point upward, honoring veterans still living. The stars on the horizontal triangle are in tribute to those who have fallen. At the monument's base is a bronze plaque that reads: A Freedom Grove: Manhattan Beach honors all of the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces in times of war and peace to protect and preserve our freedom - November 11, 1998. The plaque displays a single gold star, symbolic of the star awarded to families of veterans killed in action. Behind the monument is a 25-foot flag pole which flies an American flag donated by the Knights of Columbus. Two service I.D. tags are placed at the base of the flagpole representing the traditional method of identifying all those who serve in the military.
Current or previous event deliverables:
• The City does not actively highlight this holiday currently.
Possible Enhancements:
• Flags - install hardware and 3’X5” American Flags at various locations from Memorial Day through the end of July
• Wreath by Veterans Memorial
• Fallen Heroes Monument project proposed - The City Council directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to discuss and develop options at the October 3, 2023 Council meeting.
Independence Day - July 4th
Commemorating the passage of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Current or previous event deliverables:
• Flags - install hardware and 3’X5” American Flags at various locations from Memorial Day through the end of July
• Begg Pool July 4th Party - This event includes patriotic music, red, white and blue flags, games and community pool time.
Possible Enhancements:
• Organize a community based parade in Downtown Manhattan Beach or East Manhattan Beach to include golf carts, e-bikes, bikes, cars, scooters, etc. from 8-10 a.m. (street closures) and encourage community members to decorate or wear “Red, White, and Blue”
• Encourage block parties throughout the City.
Veterans Day - November 11
Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11 for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Current or previous event deliverables:
• The Parks and Recreation Department organizes an annual multi-generational event at the Veterans Memorial on November 11 at 11 a.m. Traditionally, the event has included a keynote speaker, color guard, scouts (boys/girls), Hyperion Outfall Serenaders, letter writing to service men/women, and the Manhattan Beach Middle/High School band. In the past, the event has included a reception with food and beverages at the Joslyn Center following the ceremony.
Possible Enhancements:
• Street closure
• Thank you Veterans banner placed downtown
Labor Day
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States
Current or previous event deliverables:
• The City does not formally celebrate this holiday.
Possible Enhancements:
• No recommended enhancements.
9/11 Memorial
9/11 is a federally recognized National Day of Service on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Current or previous event deliverables:
• A remembrance ceremony is held annually by the Police and Fire Departments in remembrance of the events that occurred on September 11, 2001. The memorial event includes a statement from the Fire Chief, the lowering of the flags, placement of the fire wreath and police flowers and a moment of silence.
• Historically, a larger, more widely advertised ceremony has taken place on each fifth anniversary (2006, 20011, 2016, 2021).
Possible Enhancement:
• Broader promotion for this annual event.
• Consider enhancements (to be determined) on the five year anniversaries, with the next milestone event being in 2026.
Flag Day
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777.
Current or previous event deliverables:
• The City does not formally celebrate this holiday.
Possible Enhancements:
• No recommended enhancements, however, if approved, American Flags will be installed throughout the City from Memorial Day through the end of July.
Salute to the Troops
The Salute to the Troops began in 2015 as a Parks and Recreation Commission initiative approved by the City Council with the mission of recognizing both active military and veterans for their service to our country.
Current or previous event deliverables:
• The Salute to the Troops kicks off the Summer Concerts in the Park and most years falls on the Sunday preceding July 4th. The 2024 celebration will be on Sunday, July 7 and the 2025 celebration will fall on July 6. The first year of the event, Parks and Recreation Commissioners and staff barbecued complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs and distributed ice cream to the crowd. Challenge coins were also distributed to attending veterans for the first five years of the series. The costs for the challenge coins were generously donated by one of the Commissioners. In the early years of the series, military bands were requested to play and the corresponding Color Guard presented the colors. For the fifth anniversary The Satin Dollz, a USO style ensemble, performed and as a fan favorite, have appeared every year since. The Redondo Union High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps have proudly presented the colors during the National Anthem for the past two years. Staff, Commissioners, and Scouts (when available) distribute small American flags to the crowd.
Since 2015, each individual branch of service has been recognized and highlighted each year.
Possible Enhancements:
• The Commission recommends budgeting for a flyover of the Torrance based Tiger Squadron.
• Special recognition for milestones for branches of service (i.e. 70th Anniversary of end of the Korean War)
• 30 American flags placed throughout Polliwog Park
Holiday Season
The celebration of the holiday season kicks off with the Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House downtown. Live Christmas trees are placed on the pier (private donation) for the pier lighting event and remain on the Pier for approximately a week, providing photo opportunities on the lit up Pier. Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays and snowflake lighting is installed on the streets in November.
Current or previous event deliverables:
• Pier Light Schedule (attached)
• Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays, snowflake lighting
Possible Enhancements:
• No recommended enhancements.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
This subject was discussed at the September 26, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Pier Light Schedule
2. Power Point Presentation