Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/17/2004 - STAFF REPORTS (19) DATE: March 17, 2004 TO: City Council FROM: Director, Department of Parks and Recreation CITY SPONSORSHIP OF VIETNAM MEMORIAL MOVING WALL PRESENTATION AT CERRITOS FIELD, APRIL 19-25, 2004 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City of Palm Springs approve sponsoring the presentation of the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at Cerritos Field from April 19 through April 25, 2004 by waiving the normal park use fee. SUMMARY: The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall will visit Palm Springs April 19-25, 2004 in a presentation sponsored and organized by the Rotary Clubs of Palm Springs. The clubs have arranged to use Cerritos Field at the corner of Pavilion Way and Baristo Road forthe week;the location was considered more secure than in Sunrise Plaza and would have the least negative impact on other park users. This is the only scheduled visit of the wall this year in California. The clubs are asking that the City waive the normal park use fee of$5 per hour(up to $840 total)since the event is not a fund raiser for any organization. BACKGROUND: The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall, the traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, will visit Palm Springs April 19-25, 2004 in a presentation sponsored and organized by the Rotary Clubs of Palm Springs (both the Sunrise Club and the noon club).This is the only scheduled visit of the wall this year in California. The clubs originally requested to locate the wall in the flat portion of Sunrise Plaza, north of the basketball courts and south of the Library parking lot. Subsequent to the Special Events Planning Team meeting on February 17, the Parks and Recreation Director recommended the use of Cerritos Field for several reasons. The wall is 252.83 feet in length; each of the two legs of the wall is 126.5 feet and they meet at a 125-degree angle in the center. The minimum area needed for placement is about 220'x 64'. The Moving Wall will arrive locally on April 17. The goal is to set it up on either the evening of Sunday, April 18, or the morning of Monday, April 19. The location needs to be flat, with no more than a 2" elevation change from one end to the other. The stakes that support the wall need to be driven into the turf and it will take approximately a dozen volunteers at least four hours to set up. The clubs will use a local civil engineer to assist in placement of the wall for these reasons. A requirement of The Moving Wall is that it be open and lit 24 hours a day;the wall must be night-lighted during the evening and overnight and be available for viewing to those who would visit during off hours. The lights will be temporary self- contained lights and shine only on the wall with ambient light surrounding the structure. / 7/1 CITY SPONSORSHIP OF VIETNAM MEMORIAL MOVING WALL PRESENTATION AT CERRITOS FIELD, APRIL 19-25, 2004 DATE: March 17, 2004 PAGE: Two Rotary will provide the normal certificate for comprehensive general liability insurance. Other Site Activities: There will be no merchandise sales or solicitations of any kind associated with the display, as these types of activities are specifically prohibited to allow the display. The display is not a fund raiser for the Rotary Club, merely a public service to the community. The clubs will have a 12' x 18' hospitality tent erected on site with tables and chairs for the following: 1. Information. There are books and CD-ROMs with the location of each name on the wall. Volunteers will guide the guests to the names. 2. Volunteer refreshments and water will be made available and the event will be staffed by Coachella Valley Rotarians. Food will not be served or sold. 3. Emergency services and first aid. 4. Counseling for distraught family members, veterans, and members of the public. The rear of the wall will be roped off to keep people away from the support post and stakes. Potted shrubs and/or small trees will be donated by a local nursery and brought in for aesthetic purposes and to soften the look of the wall. Security: Retired Police Captain Gary Boswell is the chairman of Rotary's security committee. The clubs intend to hire two security guards for patrol each evening from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. In addition, Rotary volunteers will staff the site throughout the day and night. The clubs do not anticipate hiring paid security during the day, though the event remains staffed at all times. Park Issues: There are a number of issues that faced Sunrise Plaza with The Moving Wall. They are made somewhat simpler by moving to Cerritos Field. They include: 1. Irrigation of the grass; 2. The park curfew (11:00 p.m.); 3. Impact on other park users, such as the Boys & Girls Club's after-school programs and toddlers using the play structure. A significant increase in trash that you would find at a typical special event is not expected. No food or drinks will be sold at the event and people are not allowed to have food or drinks in the perimeter of The Moving Wall. There will be some increase, however, as people will likely bring food from outside to the park. The clubs will arrange with Palm Springs Disposal Service for the cardboard receptacles and bags, and volunteers will be used to police the area for litter. Bags will be disposed of in the bin near the Frey Building. /'%07A z CITY SPONSORSHIP OF VIETNAM MEMORIAL MOVING WALL PRESENTATION AT CERRITOS FIELD, APRIL 19-25, 2004 DATE: March 17, 2004 PAGE: Three The clubs will arrange for two portable toilets. The event will feature an Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, April 20, at 1:00 p.m. for about 45 minutes and a Closing Ceremony, which will be somewhat shorter, on Sunday,April 25(15-20 minutes).The Opening Ceremony will feature a military color guard and band, an invocation, dignitaries, veterans groups (Legion, VFW, etc.), a presentation of a wreath, and Taps. In addition, 'Taps"will be played each evening at dusk. The purpose in bringing the item to City Council is because the clubs are asking the City to waive the normal park use fee of$5 per hour (up to $840 total) since the event is not a fund raiser for any organization. S,90TT MIKESELL, Director epartment of Parks and Recreation APPRO~VEr!""� City Manager ATTACHMENTS: 1. Minute Order REVIEWED BY DEPT. OF FINANCE /7A 3 MINUTE ORDER NO. APPROVING SPONSORSHIP OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL MOVING WALL AT CERRITOS FIELD FROM APRIL 19 THROUGH APRIL 25, 2004 BY WAIVING THE NORMAL PARK USE FEE. I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order, approving sponsorship of the presentation of the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at Cerritos Field from April 19 through April 25, 2004 by waiving the normal park use fee, was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, in a meeting thereof held on the 171"day of March, 2004. BY: PATRICIA A. SANDERS City Clerk / 73