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Home My WebLink AboutA-200 and attachmentsCITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT MEETING DATE: April 1, 2014 AGENDA ITEM NO. ITEM TITLE: National City War Memorial — Request for City Council Discussion and Direction PREPARED BY: Leslie Deese, City Manager DEPARTMENT: City r PHONE: 619-336-4240 APPROVED B EXPLANATION: See attached Staff Report FINANCIAL STATEMENT: APPROVED: ACCOUNT NO. APPROVED: N/A ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: NA; ORDINANCE: INTRODUCTION: FINAL ADOPTION: Finance MIS STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Request Council Direction BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: N/A ATTACHMENTS: 1. Staff Report Staff Report: National City War Memorial — Request for City Council Discussion and Direction Issue: Over the course of two evenings, March 17 and 18, 2014, three bronze plaques were 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 (Attachment I). The NCPD issued a media advisory alerting recyclers and metal scrap businesses to the theft. Crime Stoppers also issued a media advisory and offered up to a $1,000 reward. There was an immediate outpouring of concern and support, both locally and regionally. Intense media coverage, both on air and in print, brought the community together. Local veteran groups, elected officials, businesses, and the community at large rallied to raise money to replace the stolen plaques. On the evening of March 22, 2014, the National City Police Department received a telephone call from a resident of the apartment complex located at 245 Willow Road in San Ysidro stating that he had found the three stolen War Memorial plaques. The plaques were located leaning up against a fence in the apartment complex parking lot. The citizen researched the plaques on the Internet and determined that they were stolen. NCPD officers responded and recovered the plaques. Two of the plaques appear to be undamaged but needs repainting, while the third has some damage to one of the corners (Attachment 2). While no suspect(s) have yet been identified or arrested in this case, the investigation is ongoing. We believe that the thief(s) discarded the plaques due to the media's intense coverage of the issue and outrage by the community. It should also be noted that the theft of bronze, copper, and brass sadly reflects a nationwide problem and certainly not one that is limited to National City. Given the plaques safe return, the issue of how best to safeguard and protect them should now be discussed. Discussion: 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. Recent events, however reiterate the need to safeguard and protect the plaques from future damage or theft. It also provides an opportunity to redesign the Memorial to include enhanced security, lighting, etc. to tie into the $1.5 million "D" Avenue 1 Community Corridor Project, which includes a pentagon dedicated to the five armed branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard). To aid in the discussion of potential next steps, staff offers the following ideas for Council's consideration: • Establish an ad -hoc advisory committee comprised of representatives from the veteran community, public art committee, parks & recreation advisory board, and city staff to develop recommendations for council's consideration on protecting the plaques with enhanced security and lighting, including recommendations such as: o Repair and restore existing plaques — The existing plaques are over 60 years old, and were last professionally cleaned and repainted in calendar year 2000. Although considered priceless in terms of sentimental value, replacement of the plaques is valued at approximately $17,000. Fortunately, while two of the plaques were not damaged during the theft; one was. The damage to the largest plaque includes bowing and a bent corner, as shown in the attached photo. The estimator believes he may be able to repair the plaque. Missing also is the original mounting hardware with flourishes, which will need to be replicated and replaced. At the time of this writing, we have not received the estimates for the work described. o Dedicate a new plaque in honor of the National City service men and women who have perished in recent wars and military operations, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. o Rededicate the War Memorial in conjunction with the completion of the "D" Avenue Community Corridor Project (estimated to begin in May and finish by October, 2014). o Identify potential funding source(s) and/or fundraising opportunities to assist in the cost to refurbish or redesign the War Memorial. Provided for informational purposes only is a historical timeline on the War Memorial that was reconstructed from records obtained from the City Clerk's Office. • September 5, 1944 — A representative of the War Memorial Committee requested the City designate a site in Kimball Park. The City Engineer was instructed to draw plans for an amphitheater or bowl to be constructed. • November 28, 1944 — A fundraising memorial drive was initiated and a War Memorial Fund was established. • August 26, 1946 — War Memorial Committee directed to submit plans to the city council in order to get cost of the project. • May 27, 1947 — City accepted the bid of H.H. Johnson for $29,777 to construct the War Memorial Bowl. • Year of 1948 — Dedication of War Memorial some time during the year. 2 • June 21, 1948 — Resident requested the names of the individuals who gave their lives in the war be added to the plaque. • August 16, 1949 — Request by the Veterans of Foreign Wars that two Memorial Plaques be cast and placed in the Memorial Bowl, one dedicated to those who gave their lives for their country, and the other for those who served. • June 11, 1996 — Request by resident to rededicate the War Memorial Bowl and place a sign above the arch and a plaque with the names of National City residents who gave their lives for our freedom, new flag poles, and an eternal flame. • Summer, 2000 — Construction on War Memorial renovation was completed (CIP Project) 3 Attachment 1 - BEFORE THEFT d , r Attachment 1 - BEFORE THEFT AT Tiff ON'Jf NATIONAL CIT.' nn'AWE THt VANE E!IE SACRIFPril, con INN ICE NATIONAL CITY WAR. MEMORIAL BOWL ERECT ED IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF THE CITIZENS OF :s1ATIONAI CITY WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES DIMING WrR I. ll WAR I 1941 - 1945 i Attachment 1 - BEFORE THEFT IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF THE CITIZENS OF NATIONAL CITY WHO GAVE THEW LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE KOREAN WAR AND E'HE VIETNAM CONFLICT i; ogrAtE WAR 1911-1437 VRZIF 7ew COt f R' i44W1-1!R3 u,ar t IEaavw, ?tr, arwrn-c qaifl ]IUGIS:&.... R49'C.x14M1hEs ueopoa IA t71..taa: %'I. • a�wxrab t IULYJW. rn, WWI 1i r1 e_ ot KC. 010 egrv.Y a42n+ra, ex xUc3 d3 IAYffi.7S tsu lie. C hf7, 11.1hRh"a ALB:nTs. 1.115rIIwt'o L47t;. M-u= sLuidf w. t,a.wei in_ rink A!:oM IV?. Jai fra aL:. ANlrlrIRLPUM,, }iki- fr. Rry x. rl I tE:sr n-rrLL4H `w/1YSS. S+.�Ll.11SY .-.i l n a 1 itiR►rLbe<A lt•- solow Attachment 1 - BEFORE THEFT IN MEMORIAM OF THE. MEN OF NATIONAL CITY WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR I HF1P COUNTRY rN WORLD WAR 11 1941 - 1945 NATIONAL CITY WAR MEMORIAL BOWL ERECTED IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF THE CITIZENS Of NATIONAL CITY WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES DURING WORLD WAR 11 1941 - 1945 Attachment 2 - AFTER THEFT NATIONAL CITY WAR. MEMORI ER I E IN HONOR. AND MEYOR.,"? OF THE CITI7ENS (Yr NATIONAL CITE WHO SERVED IN I f-i,4V,X ARMED FORCES '‘'s DURING ORLD WAR eat i941 - 1945 341 "VII • r Attachment 2 - AFTER THEFT ' - 1 N M ,. M R I A NA iiIE kl). ' '>r N.A1'ONAL. Ci► ' ;11 \Air-L c' MAD I E-,ME r r �. N 'v(fKLE WA i/ .1 Attachment 2 - AFTER THEFT (Bent Corner) -021=445-- NATIONAL CI IP- 4 (—IA\ I- I HI- lk YES IN THE SERVICE OF corm, k UREA ovAkt. AND THE VIETNANi-t.trrt NANDAk ottiap101' • MP mums. ragrzresimame ot..1 f• indussaim • •:“..11:. ?If • s'' .11j,„ ' A114 ••• ocum. w. • ••• ow,. • - • •