HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.3 Adopt-a-Bench ProgramSTAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
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Agenda Item 4.3
DATE:January 11, 2022
TO:Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:Linda Smith, City Manager
SUBJECT:Adopt-a-Bench ProgramPreparedby:Bridget Amaya, Assistant Parks and Community ServicesDirector
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:The City Council will consider approval of the new Adopt-a-Bench Program.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:Approve the Adopt-a-Bench Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:Should the City Council approve the Adopt-A-Bench Program, fees would be included in the next Master Fee Schedule update, and the budget amended to reflect estimated costs and fee revenue.
DESCRIPTION:The Adopt-a-Bench program is designed to allow the public to honor special people or events in their lives and provide long-lasting beautification to Dublin parks. Through the program, any individual, family, business, or community group can provide a donation to adopt a park bench, including a personal message on an engraved plaque. Staff will develop a list of available park bench locations from which donors may select a bench to adopt. A donor would choose from one of two options, with City-specified bench designs, as follows:
o Adopt an existing bench – Donation level: $1,500 – Includes a customized plaque installed on an existing park bench within a City of Dublin park.
o Adopt a new bench – Donation level: $2,500 – Includes a brand-new park bench to be installed, along with a customized plaque, in a City of Dublin park. Consideration would be given to replace an existing bench that has reached the end of its useful life.
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Programs that accept donations for the purpose of providing or “adopting” park benches exist throughout California municipalities. The following table shows the donation amounts and maintenance periods that other cities and agencies have established.Table 1: Agency Bench Costs and Maintenance PeriodsCITY/ORG NEWBENCH COST BENCH VARIATIONS EXISTING BENCH COST MAINTENANCE PERIODLOS ANGELES CITY PARKS $10,000 N/A $1,500 10 years*Cost includes one replacementSANTA CRUZ $5,000$2,600 OceanviewRegular N/A 10 yearsSAN JOSE $5,000 N/A N/A Not est.RICHMOND $3,500 N/A N/A 10 yearsPLEASANTON$2,750 N/A N/A 15 yearsPALO ALTO $2,500 N/A $1,500 10 yearsSAN MATEO $2,500 N/A N/A 5 yearsPALO ALTO $2,500 N/A $1,500 10 yearsEAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS $2,500 N/A N/A 10 yearsALAMEDA$1,750$1,500 IronwoodConcrete N/A Not est.DUBLIN(PROPOSED)$2,500 N/A $1,500 10 years
Bench Details and MaintenanceMaintenance of the benches, including graffiti removal and as-needed painting, will be the responsibility of the City of Dublin. There will be a 10-year bench maintenance and plaque replacement guarantee. The bench will be kept in place if serviceable beyond 10 years. When a bench is no longer serviceable, applicants will be advised and given the opportunity to purchase a new bench under the terms and conditions then in effect. If it is not renewed, the commemorative bench may be rededicated by a new donor. The Adopt-a-Bench program would be limited to two bench designs, either a six-foot steel green bench or a six-foot steel brown bench, depending on availability.
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Plaque Details A bronze dedication plaque with a personalized inscription will be mounted to each adopted park bench. The standard dedication plaque measures two inches by 10 inches and will include both the desired inscription in the City-approved Gil Sans font and the shamrock logo as depicted below.
All commemorative plaques installed on benches must be for individuals or purposes that are non-controversial with text appropriate for display in a public place and approved by the City of Dublin. Text that in any way markets a product or service shall not be permitted. Donors would pay the flat fee specified above, which covers the cost of the purchase and installation of the bench/plaque in designated spaces approved by the Parks and Community Services and Public Works Departments. Upon installation, all park benches and plaques would become the property of the City and maintained by the Public Works Department. The donor does not have any claim to ownership of either the bench or the plaque. The Parks and Community Services Commission reviewed and recommended the Adopt-a- Bench Program at its December 20, 2021 meeting. If approved by the City Council, Staff will design an application for the program and begin publicizing it via the typical City media.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:None.
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NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:The City Council Agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:None.
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