HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Appointment of Members to the National City War Memorial Ad-Hoc Committee. (Citiy Manager)CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA
COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
MEETING DATE: May 20, 2014
AGENDA ITEM NO.
ITEM TITLE:
Committee
City Council Appointment of Members to the National City War Memorial Ad -Hoc
PREPARED BY: Leslie Deese, City Manager DEPARTMENT: City er
PHONE: 619-336-4240 APPROVED Br_L—
EXPLANATION:
See attached Staff Report
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: APPROVED:
ACCOUNT NO. APPROVED:
N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ORDINANCE: INTRODUCTION:
FINAL ADOPTION:
Finance
MIS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve ad -hoc committee membership.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. April 8, 2014 Letter to Post Commander Al Grafford
Staff Report: City Council Appointment of Members to the National City War
Memorial Ad -Hoc Committee
Background: After the stolen memorial war memorial bronze plaques were recovered in
April 2014, the City Council voted to establish an advisory committee to be comprised of
no more than 10 members representing the veteran community, city boards and
commissions, and city staff. The purpose of the committee is provide an opportunity to
redesign the memorial bowl to ensure the safety of the plaques, as well as enhance
critical features as security, lighting, etc., and to incorporate a potential redesign of the
memorial bowl into the $1.5 million D Avenue community corridor project.
Over the past month, staff has attended meetings of National City's Park & Recreation
Advisory Board, Public Art Committee, and local American Legion Larry E. Bennett Post
255. The local Thomas H. Crosby, Jr. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4630 has
been contacted via telephone and in writing (letter attached) but to date, a response has
not been received.
Discussion: Submitted for City Council consideration and approval are the individuals
nominated by their respective board/commission/organization:
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
• Roy Cesena (National City resident and military veteran)
• Roberto "Burt" Andrade (National City resident and military veteran)
Public Art Committee
• Claudia Torres (National City resident)
Veterans Community
• Shirley Ferrill (National City resident)
o Auxiliary Board Member, American Legion Post 255
o Board of Directors, VFW Auxiliary Post 4630
o Executive Board Member, American Legion Post 434
• Rick DeVries
o Executive Board Member, American Legion Post 255
• Diane DeVries
o Financial Officer, American Legion Post 255
City Staff
• James Slade, Senior Engineering Inspector
o U.S. Navy Military Reserves (active duty)
• David Bavencoff, Police Sergeant
o U.S. Coast Guard Military Reserves (active duty)
• Leslie Deese, City Manager
o U.S. Navy Veteran
Additionally, Executive Director Brad Raulston, Principal Planner Martin Reeder and a
designee from Arts: A Reason to Survive will be assisting the committee with facilitation
and project design.
Timeline: Staff anticipates holding the first committee meeting in mid -June with the goal
of holding a rededication ceremony on Veteran's Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014,
Staff Recommendation: Approve ad -hoc committee membership
April 8, 2014
CALIFORNIA
NATIONAL Cyr 'y
Post Commander Al Grafford
VFW Post 4630
1401 Highland Avenue
National City, CA 91950
1NCORPORATIE J
Dear Commander Grafford,
SUBJECT: Invitation to Participate in the City of National City War Memorial Ad -Hoc
Committee
As you may have heard, three bronze plaques were recently stolen from the National City War
Memorial at Kimball Park. The plaques, on display at the park for over 60 years, were
dedicated to National City servicemen who died serving our country during World War II,
Korean, and Vietnam wars.
Following the theft, there was an immediate outpouring of concern and support, both locally and
regionally. Intense media coverage brought the community together. Local veteran groups,
elected officials, businesses, and the community at large rallied to raise money to replace the
stolen plaques.
Several days later, a Good Samaritan called the Police Department stating that he had found
the stolen plaques in his apartment complex in San Ysidro. Thankfully, given the plaques safe
return, the City Council discussed how best to safeguard and protect them against future harm.
The Council voted to establish an advisory committee comprised of representatives from the
veteran community, public art committee, parks & recreation advisory board, and city staff. A
committee also provides an opportunity to redesign the Memorial Bowl to include enhanced
security, lighting, etc. to tie into the $1.5 million "D" Avenue Community Corridor Project, which
includes a pentagon dedicated to the five armed branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air
Force, Marines, and Coast Guard).
As we discussed last week, I respectfully request the opportunity to attend an upcoming
meeting to talk with the members about serving on the City's ad hoc committee.
National City's War Memorial ensures our fallen heroes will forever be remembered not only for
their service to our County, but for their roles in families and their community. For generations to
come, visitors to the Memorial will be inspired, as we are, by the heroism and devotion to duty,
and will be filled with a sense of pride in their community.
Please feel free to contact me at (619) 336-4242.
Sincerely,
Leslie A. Deese
City Manager Office of the City Manager
1243 National City Boulevard, National City, CA 91950-4301
619/336-4240 Fax 619/336-4327 www.nationalcityca.gov Email crno@nationalcityca.gov