HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.5 Holiday Tree Lighting
CITY CLERK
File # D~~[{2]-~[Q]
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 21,2007
SUBJECT:
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Report by Lorri Polon, Recreation Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS:
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None
~eceive report and provide direction to Staff on the location of the
2007 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.
RECOMMENDATION:
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: The 23rd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony was held on
December 4, 2006, outdoors in the Civic Plaza Courtyard. In addition to the lighting of the tree, the event
included a musical performance by the Fallon Middle School Jazz Band and a holiday sing-along led by
the Dougherty Elementary School Choir. The event concluded with a visit from Santa and refreshments
in the Regional Meeting Room at City Hall. At the December 19, 2006 City Council meeting, some
Council members expressed a concern that the Tree Lighting Ceremony has outgrown its current location.
In prior years, the event has changed locations on numerous occasions. The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Ceremony has been held outside at the former Dublin Library, the current Dublin Library, the former
Shannon Community Center and the Dublin Civic Center, both outside in the courtyard and inside in the
lobby.
In evaluating the event, Staff offers three possible location options for the 2007 Ceremony as follows.
Option 1 - Civic Center Plaza
Under this option, the redwood tree fronting Dublin Boulevard would be lit as the official holiday tree and
a stage and tent would be set up in front of the fountain (similar to the summer concert series). The
exterior of the Civic Center would also be lit. The entertainers would perform on the stage under the tent
and the attendees would gather in front of the stage. Refreshments could be served in the Regional
Meeting Room following the entertainment.
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G:\COUNCIL\Agenda Statements\2007\8-2 I - Holiday Tree Lighting.doc
Option 1 - Pros Option 1 - Cons
· Continuity - attendees are familiar with location · No protected area to stand outside in inclement
and parking. weather.
· Plaza is large enough for additional attendees. · Noise from freeway and Dublin Boulevard
· Tent and stage could easily fit in Plaza. could interfere with entertainment.
· Redwood tree has matured and filled in and · Depending on where you stand, there may be a
there is electricity to the tree for the lights. somewhat obstructed view of the holiday
Redwood Tree from the Plaza.
Option 2 - Dublin Librarv
Under this option, the cedar tree on the mound adjacent to the circular driveway in front of the Dublin
Library would be lit as the official holiday tree and a stage and tent would be set up in the center of the
circular driveway facing east towards the holiday tree. The audience would view the ceremony from the
flat driveway area or up on the grassy mound past the driveway. The exterior of the Library would also be
lit. Refreshments could be served in the Library Community Room following the entertainment.
Option 2 - Pros Option 2 - Cons
· Continuity - attendees are familiar with location · No protected area to stand outside in inclement
and parking. weather.
· Driveway area is large enough for additional · Noise from freeway would interfere with
attendees. entertainment.
· Tent and stage could easily fit in driveway area.
· There is sufficient electrical outlets for the
cedar tree, lighting and sound equipment.
Option 3 - Civic Center Courtyard
Under this option, the Tree Lighting Ceremony would continue to be held in the Civic Center Courtyard
with an indoor tree in the Civic Center Lobby serving as the official holiday tree. The stage and tent
would be up in the courtyard and refreshments would be served in the Regional Meeting Room following
the entertainment.
Option 3 - Pros
· Continuity - attendees are used to and familiar
with location and parking.
· Lighted tree in lobby highly visible to attendees.
· Separate refreshment room (RMR) works well.
· In inclement weather, event can be moved into
Civic Center lobby.
· Proximity of lobby to Courtyard is ideal.
Option 3 - Cons
· Event can not comfortably accommodate any
additional attendees.
· Civic Center lobby does not offer an ideal
indoor area as alternate location for
entertainment in case of inclement weather.
Looking towards the future, the new Shannon Community Center could serve as a location for future
Holiday Tree Lighting events, given the size of the indoor and o.utdoor facilities, which could
accommodate an even larger crowd. Although the landscape plan is done and the project underway, Staff
could work with the contractor to identify a location for a large conifer tree to be planted as part of the
Shannon Community Center Reconstruction Project.
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RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council provide direction to Staff on the
location of the 2007 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. If the Council is in favor of moving the Holiday
Tree Lighting Ceremony to the Shannon Community Center in the future, direct Staff to identify a
location for a large conifer tree to be planted as part of the Shannon Community Center Reconstruction
Project.
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