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Attachments 1-2MEETING DATE: 11105/2012 ITEM NO: 9 e COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: OCTOBER 31, 2012 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: VETERANS MEMORIAL AND SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS REQUESTS: A. INTRODUCE FOUNDATION TO TOWN COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY B. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE A VETERANS MEMORIAL AT THE CIVIC CENTER C. REQUEST THE USE OF THE POTENTIAL $20,000 PAGEANT GROUNDS PUBLIC ART FUNDING TO INCORPORATE PUBLIC ART AS PART OF THE VETERANS MEMORIAL DESIGN RECOMMENDATION. Town staff recommends the following Town Council actions and direction in response to the request of the Veteran's Memorial and Support Foundation of Los Gatos (Foundation). 1. Authorize the Foundation to develop and submit for Council review and approval two to four proposals for the location and design of a Veterans Memorial at the Los Gatos Civic Center, incorporating the Pageant Grounds, Civic Center deck, and/or the front lawn and flag poles. 2. Refer consideration of Pageant Grounds and Civic Center public art funding to the upcoming Council Study Session on Capital Project Priorities and Funding. BACKGROUND: As described in a letter from the Foundation attached, Foundation's purpose is to design, build, and support a tribute for Los Gatos Veterans of United States military service with the goal to construct the memorial at the Los Gatos Civic Center. The Foundation was formed on April 15, 2012, incorporated on October 4, 2012, and has submitted their 501(C) (3) tax exempt status for formal approval by the IRS. The Foundation board consists of veterans, service club members, community members, with Community Outreach Coordinator Jackie Rose serving as the Town liaison. PREPARED BY: Jackie Rose, Community Outreach Coordinator Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager YAP &C5\C0==ity Outmchwetmo Meumripl Committee \Town Town Attorney Finance ATTACHMENT 1 PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: VETERANS MEMORIAL AND SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS November 5, 2012 The Foundation's goal is to construct, and maintain a memorial site at the Civic Center area. The Foundation will be hosting several community meetings to solicit local artists and architects who are interested in creating design ideas for the memorial. The vision for the memorial is to enhance and compliment the Civic Center area with design concepts that honor the six branches of the military. The final design will be crafted to appeal to individuals of all ages. The Foundation requests the allocation of $20,000 in potential Pageant Grounds public art funding to incorporate public art as part of the memorial design for at the Civic Center. Council may choose to allocate the funds at the meeting of November 5, 2012 or refer consideration of Pageant Grounds and Civic Center public art funding to the upcoming Council Study Session on Capital Project Priorities and Funding. The Tribute to Veterans in Los Gatos will be a resource for the historical understanding and recognition of all Veterans past, present and-future. Once the memorial is completed, the foundation will continue its efforts by organizing ways to provide humanitarian support to Veterans and their families in perpetuity. DISCUSSION: The Veterans and our community have recognized the need for a tranquil place to pay tribute to our soldiers within the Town of Los Gatos. Twelve out of fifteen cities within Santa Clara County have tributes to Veterans. The Foundation would like the memorial to include some or all of the following: reflection areas, green landscapes, arbors and sitting areas, flags, a listing of service personnel killed in the line of duty, memorial bricks, and a pathway to enjoy its tranquil beauty. We would also anticipate the area to be used for public events and presentations and would prefer a site that requires very little maintenance. Town staff believes multiple opportunities exist to meet the Foundation's desired outcomes, including the renovated Pageant Grounds, the upper portion of the Civic Center deck, a potential bridge connecting the Pageant Grounds to the upper portion of the deck, and several areas on or near the front lawn, including where the flagpoles are currently located. Staff has identified that any use of the Civic Center deck should not further the hardness and design challenges of the deck nor diminish the municipal, police, library and future cultural center uses of the Civic Center The public art funding requested by the Foundation is still tentative at this point in time and has also been requested by the Arts and Culture Commission for potential public art in front of the new library. Staff will present to Council at its upcoming study session on Capital Project Priorities and Funding the potential source and use of funds for public art. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. Attachments: 1. Foundation Letter of Request to Council Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation of Los Gatos 110 East Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 October 22, 2012 Mayor Steve Rice and Town Council Members 110 East Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 Dear Mayor Rice and Town Council Members: The Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation (VMSF) formed on April 15, 2012 with the goal of promoting a better understanding of the contributions of Veterans. The Foundation Board consists of Veterans, service club members, community members, and Town staff. The Foundation structure includes: board members, advisory board members, and committees. On October 4, 2012, the foundation applied for their 501(c) (3) tax exempt status to be formalized by the IRS. This Tribute to Veterans in Los Gatos will be a resource for the historical understanding and recognition of all Veterans past, present and future. We are all blessed to have the freedoms we have and feel strongly that it is time Los Gatos gave recognition to Veterans who have made this possible for all of us. The foundation's purpose is to design, build, and support a tribute to Veterans of United States military. We are formally requesting that the memorial be located in the Civic Center Area. We plan to educate the community of Los Gatos and the surrounding communities on the history of our Veterans and their contribution to the American people and our way of life. Through our foundation, we plan to provide humanitarian support to Veterans and their families in perpetuity. Our vision for this Tribute is to enhance and compliment the Civic Center area by utilizing local artists and architects for design concepts that honor the six branches of the military. The final design will be crafted to appeal to individuals of all ages. When they visit they will have a quiet moment of reflection and enjoy its tranquil beauty. We also anticipate the area to be used for public events and presentations and will require very little maintenance. We respectfully request that the Town of Los Gatos grant the foundation authorization to design, build and support this memorial in the Civic Center area. We also would like to request that Council earmark the $20,000 art grant to be used to incorporate art in the Civic Center area that supports our Veterans Memorial design. Sincerely, Mike Frw President Board Members: Bob Whittaker, Vice President B.J. Tucker, CPA/Treasurer Jackie Rose, Community Outreach Coordinator /Secretary Duino Giordano, CMSgt, USAF /ANG/Ret Dr. Clyde Horn Dr. Francis Harvey /19th Secretary of the Army Ellen Manzo George Hall Rick Lore Darrell Monda John Bond, D.M.D./Navy Captain USNR EXCERPT OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 5, 2012 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OTHER BUSINESS 9. Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation of Los Gatos requests: a. Introduce Foundation to Town Council and the Community b. Request authorization to provide a Veterans Memorial at the Civic Center C. Request the use of the potential $20,000 Pageant Grounds Public Art Funding to incorporate public art as part of the Veterans Memorial Design Mr. Larson presented the staff report. Ms. Ellen Manzo presented the Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation's ( "Foundation ") proposal. Council Questions - Questioned what it means to "reserve" the lawn and Civic Center deck. - Commented that the artist recruitment should be broad and artists who submitted proposals to the Library may be interested in this project. - Commented that the 120 -day schedule is very aggressive and should be adjusted. - Questioned the amount of communication with the Arts and Culture Commission ( "ACC ") and the Museums. Ms. Manzo - Commented that "reserve" means not to allow other groups to plan permanent structures on the lawn and the Civic Center walkway that leads to the memorial on plaza until Council considers the Foundation's proposal. - Commented that most communication was with the ACC but not with Museums. - Commented that the Foundation would welcome assistance with artist recruitment. Mr. Larson - Commented that staff worked with the Veterans Foundation extensively. - Commented that staff informed the ACC of the Foundation's work and that the ACC expressed interest in using the surplus Pageant Grounds money to purchase public art - Commented that the proposed pedestrian bridge is an unfunded concept - Commented that Los Gatos Music and Arts has plans for erecting a permanent stage in the same place as the temporary one, but no other permanent changes have been suggested for the front lawn. Opened the public hearing Page 5 ATTACHMENT 2 Item #9 — Continued Mr. Agg - Commented that the Museums supports the Veterans Memorial and has offered support for researching veterans. Mr. Shepardson - Expressed concern about the location of the veterans memorial and not having too many public events on or near it because the memorial should be "hallowed ground." Council Discussion Commented that the memorial should be accessible and open but also capture a sense of honor and regard, without it being overly somber and silent. Commented that the lawn area is a challenging area for the memorial because there are many recurring events on the lawn. Closed the public hearing Mr. Larson Commented that staff will provide a list of annually recurring events that happen on front lawn. Suggestions from Council to the Foundation: Commented that the ACC requested use of the $20,000 from the Pageant Grounds fund, but the Veterans could look for alternative funding sources if that one does not materialize. Commented that there should be cooperation between various organizations regarding funding and space use. Commented that the deck is hot and stark but presents an opportunity for artists to create something inviting in the space. MOTION: Motion by Mayor Steve Rice to authorize the Foundation to develop and submit for Council revew and approval two to four proposals for the location and design of a Veterans' Memorial at the Los Gatos Civic Center, incorporating Pageant Grounds and /or the Civic Center deck, and /or the front lawn and flag poles. Seconded by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. Page 6