REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 07/19/2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT:
Title
CITY HALL VETERANS MEMORIAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. FC-2023-06 DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR CONSIDERATION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to review and provide direction on the design concepts for the City Hall Veterans Memorial Improvements Project No. FC-2023-06.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
That the City Council provide direction on the preferred design concept for the City Hall Veterans Memorial Improvement Project No. FC-2023-06.
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BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The City of Corona’s current Veteran’s Memorial is located on the south side of City Hall, in an area that is below the existing grade and somewhat hidden. Both local veteran’s groups and the City Council desired to enhance the monument to provide a more prominent memorial to draw people to a place of remembrance that paid tribute to local residents who lost their lives serving their country. On November 10, 2021, at a Committee of the Whole (COTW) meeting, City Council was presented with some general improvement concepts that could be made to the area to accomplish these goals.
After a brief discussion at the COTW, Council provided direction to staff to proceed with an enhancement project that would include granite monuments, taller flag poles, lighting, signage, landscaping, and seating. A new Capital Improvement Project (CIP) No. FC-2023-06 was subsequently created titled “City Hall Veterans Memorial Improvements Project,” and an appropriation of $450,000 of Measure X Funding was established through the annual budget process for Fiscal Year 2023.
Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 23-010RH for design services for the City Hall Veterans Memorial Improvements Project was issued on October 20, 2022. However, only one proposal was received by the due date and time on November 30, 2022, and while qualified, the proposal costs were higher than originally budgeted. The proposal was re-issued under RFP No. 23-040AS on December 14, 2022, and again one proposal was received by the due date of January 26, 2023. The firm, IDS Group, Inc., was not only sufficiently qualified but also provided a proposal that was appropriately priced for the project budget. An agreement and purchase order were executed with IDS Group, Inc. in the amount of $55,427 in accordance with Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.070 under the authority of the Public Works Director. Three design concepts were developed for City staff to review and provide input on. City staff also met with local veteran’s group advocates on June 5, 2023, to review the initial design concepts to receive feedback and discuss the purpose and need for the improvements.
ANALYSIS:
Three design concepts are being presented to City Council for consideration for the enhancements to the Veteran’s Memorial that take the general improvements originally presented and provide a more detailed concept, including imagery to illustrate the intended theme and improvements. The three concepts are:
• Concept 1 - Service to Country: This concept utilizes patriotic red, white, and blue flower beds and a colorful stained concrete banner to inspire and draw the public to the space. A flag promenade and granite signs also beckon visitors to the area. Once in the cove, an experiential archway, including colored plexiglass or metal cutouts, utilize the changing sun to cast images and phrases in the cove. Slanted granite monuments document the names of fallen soldiers from Corona, and landscaping finishes off the area to soften the space. A spot for a statue, whether incorporated now or in the future, is featured on the main level at the site.
• Concept 2 - Honor and Glory: A calm and reflective space is created in the cove area featuring white flowered camellias and ground cover. Amphitheater seating replaces portions of the existing stairs to provide additional seating for reflection, events, or teaching opportunities. A unique flag arrangement, tall granite walls, and mosaic add color and attract members of the public to the spot.
• Concept 3 - Solitude and Remembrance: A tranquil sanctuary is created through the use of green foliage and white camellias in the landscaping for this concept. More subtle features, such as pathway panels with inspirational words or historical events and concrete etchings, mark the pathway for visitors to the site. Cold and heavy concrete benches are replaced with more artistic curved metal benches, and at night, names of fallen soldiers are projected in the cove as a peaceful tribute.
The preliminary cost estimates for the concepts all fall within the current project budget. City staff requests direction from City Council on the desired design concept in order to proceed with construction plan preparation and completion of the project.
COMMITTEE ACTION:
This item was presented at the November 10, 2021, Committee of the Whole (COTW) Meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The project budget is $450,000 and is currently appropriated in the Capital Improvement Project budget for the City Hall Veterans Memorial Improvements Project No. FC-2023-06 within Measure X Fund 120.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action requests direction on design concepts, and there is no possibility that this will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: TRACY MARTIN, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: SAVAT KHAMPHOU, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Attachments:
1. Exhibit 1 - COTW Presentation from November 10, 2021
2. Exhibit 2 - Presentation