March 1, 2005
SUBJECT: Serra Little League Request for a Memorial Recognition Plaque (RTC 05-056)
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Serra Little League would like to honor the memory of a long-time volunteer coach, manager and umpire of the League, Mr. Robert Bernhardt, who passed away of cancer in November 2004. The League would like to install a 7” by 9” plaque in his honor on the backstop fence of the Serra Park ball field. The City Council is asked to authorize Serra Little League to erect a plaque as a memorial to honor Mr. Bernhardt.
Staff makes no recommendation.
BACKGROUND
Representatives from Serra Little League would like to honor the memory of long-time friend and Sunnyvale resident Robert Owen Bernhardt, who served as coach, manager and umpire of the League from 1970 to 2002, when he became ill with cancer and could no longer serve as a volunteer. Mr. Bernhardt passed away in November 2004 and the League desires to donate a permanent 7” by 9” plaque erected in memory of Mr. Bernhardt and locate it on the backstop fence of the Serra Park ball field. (Please see proposed wording, Attachment A.)The League proposes to fully cover the cost of the plaque and its maintenance. Ideally, the League would like the plaque in place by Little League opening day on March 19, 2005, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The League first approached staff with a request to re-name the Serra Park ball field after Mr. Bernhardt just prior to his death in November 2004. Since current Council policy discourages the naming of facilities after living persons (and requires that an individual be deceased for at least five years before naming a facility after them) the League decided to, instead, seek the City Council’s approval to erect a plaque on the backstop fence in memorial of Mr. Bernhardt.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.5 – Certificates of Appreciation, Resolutions, and Proclamations for Public Recognition
Council Policy 7.3.10 – Naming/ Renaming Parks and Recreation Facilities
Council Policy 7.3.11 – Recognition and Plaque Policy
DISCUSSION
When representatives from the League first approached staff they were directed to options provided by the existing City Council Policy No. 7.3.5 “Certificates of Appreciation, Resolutions and Proclamations for Public Recognition” in which the Mayor and/or City Council could request either a formal Resolution, a Council Proclamation or a less formal Mayor Proclamation to honor Mr. Bernhardt’s contributions that would be presented to the Bernhardt family. Another option discussed included naming a park and recreation facility within Serra Park after Mr. Bernhardt, but according to Council Policy No. 7.3.10 “Naming/Renaming Parks and Recreation Facilities,” if named for a deceased, that individual must be deceased for at least five years. Finally, the Council Policy No. 7.3.11 “Recognition and Plaque Policy,” provides the City Manager with the discretion to install a 3” by 5” plaque on a building, sidewalk, bench, tree, or other public place for various reasons (e.g. in memoriam) to recognize smaller donations such as park bench, that would include the name, occasion and date of the donation. Any larger sized plaque (such as that proposed for Mr. Bernhardt by Sera Little League) would require an action by City Council.
Whether or not Council supports Serra Little League’s current request, the League has communicated their intent, if necessary, to wait five years and return to Council with a proposal to name a facility, such as the Serra Park ball field, after Mr. Bernhardt. (Please see Attachment B.) It should be noted that a review of Council Policy No. 7.3.10 Naming/Renaming Parks and Recreation Facilities is currently a 2005 study issue which, upon completion, may propose a different waiting period than the current policy.
FISCAL IMPACT
None. The Serra Little League proposes to donate the plaque and cover all costs related to installation and maintenance.
Conclusion
Supporters of Bob Bernhardt, long-time coach and volunteer with Serra Little League, are pursuing several forms of recognition for his contributions to the Community. Council is asked at this time to consider whether it is appropriate to allow the League to donate a permanent 7” by 9” plaque in his memory, to be located on the backstop fence of the Serra Park ball field.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Parks and Recreation Commission agenda and Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, and the availability of the report in the City Clerk’s office, Library, Parks and Recreation Administration office, Corporation Yard, Community Center and Senior Center.
Copies of this report have been provided to the President of Serra Little League and to the former Serra Little League Chief Umpire who is spearheading this effort. Notices of the Council meeting regarding this report were distributed to seventeen other individuals who wrote letters to the Parks and Recreation Director describing the contributions Mr. Bernhardt made to the community and to the Serra Little League. (Please see sampling of letters in Attachment B.)
On January 12, 2005, the Parks and Recreation Commission provided a public hearing on the Serra Park Dedication Plaque prior to this report during its regularly scheduled meeting.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Authorize the installation of a 7” by 9” plaque in memoriam of Bob Bernhardt on the backstop of the Serra Park ball field as proposed by and at the cost of the Serra Little League.
2. Do not authorize the installation of a 7” by 9” plaque in memoriam of Bob Bernhardt on the backstop of Serra Park ball field as proposed by the Serra Little League.
3. Another option as determined by Council.
RECOMMENDATIOn
On January 12, 2005, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that Council approve a 7” by 9” recognition plaque for Mr. Bob Bernhardt to be installed on the backstop fence at Serra Park ball field. The Serra Little League is to bear the full cost including maintenance. The Commission also recommends that Council consider revisions to the existing Recognition and Plaque Policy to more clearly address the recognition of donations that are not monetary in value.
Staff makes no recommendation, but does note that it plans to create a Study Issue Paper in response to the Parks and Recreation Commission’s request for consideration and ranking by Council in December 2005.
Reviewed by:
Robert Walker, Director, Parks and Recreation
Prepared by:
Cathy E. Merrill, Assistant to the Director of Parks and Recreation
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
Attachments
A. Sample wording for memorial plaque
B. Sample of letters presented by Serra Little League in support of a memorial to Mr. Bob Bernhardt