HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/3/2007 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.N.DATE: October 3, 2007
City Council Staff Report
Consent Calendar
SUBJECT: INSTALLATION OF PALM SPRINGS PEACE POLE
FROM: David H, Ready, City Manager
BY: Department of Parks and Recreation
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The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends that the City Council
accept the gift of a peace pole and funds for its installation at the Village Green.
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1. Accept the gift of a peace pole and funds for its installation at the Village
Green from the organizers of the Palm Springs Peace Pole Project.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Palm Springs Peace Pole Project is a concept put forth by Reverend Kevin
Johnson, Pastor of Bloom in the Desert Ministries, and Larry Washburn, Co -
Leader of Concerned Desert Citizens for Peace, who would like to "plant" a
peace pole in Palm Springs. The group known the, Palm Springs Peace Pole
Task Force" was formed and has been working on this idem over the past three
years. Money has been raised to purchase and install a peace pole in a visible
and significant location in Palm Springs. The six -sided aluminum pole is about
eight feet tall, with the words, "May Peace Prevail on Earth, in 12 languages
printed on the sides. The languages include Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, Russian,
Chinese, Tagalog, Farsi, Korean, French, and Swahili, with the "front" languages
being English and Cahuilla. The pole is similar in appearance to the customized
pole that will be placed at the memorial site of the World Trade Center in New
York City and acknowledge the loss of Palm Springs resident, Barbara Keating,
who died on American Airlines Flight 11 on September 11, 2001.
Among those participating in and contributing to the project are Bloom in the
Desert Ministries United Church of Christ and Reconciling Methodist
Congregation, Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert, Innerfaith Ministries
Worldwide, Veterans for Peace, United Methodist Church of Palm Springs,
United Methodist Men, St. Theresa Catholic Church, West Valley Interfaith
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DATE: October 3, 2007
SUBJECT: INSTALLATION OF PALM SPRINGS PEACE POLE
PAGE. Two
Association, Temple Isaiah, Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Peace & Praise
Fellowship, Forest Lawn Mortuaries, and various individuals.
There are more than 200,000 peace poles planted around the world, including
the United Nations Building, the Pentagon, and many places in California,
including Palm Desert and Cathedral City.
The Peace Pole Project was started in Japan in 1955 by the World Peace Prayer
Society and is headquartered in New York City at the United Nations.
The Village Green was selected as the location for the project because if its high
visibility to both foot and vehicle traffic and appropriateness for small gatherings
and vigils in the downtown area.
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The project's organizers have raised $4,000 towards the purchase and
installation of the peace pole. The actual cost of the pole and its installation is
estimated at $3,500. The balance of the funds will be used to offset future
maintenance costs.
At its December 13, 2006 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted
6/0 with one abstention to recommend approval of the Palm Springs Peace Pole
Project with a suitably identifiable plaque at a site at the Village Green.
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DATE: October 3, 2007
SUBJECT: INSTALLATION OF PALM SPRINGS PEACE POLE
PAGE: Three
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No fiscal impact.
Sharon Heider, Director
Department of Parks and Recreation
David H. Ready, � Eger
T y utzlaff, stant City Manager
Ad ' 'strativ ices
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