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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 1 CELEBRATE TROOPS 03-18-91,1,GENDA�. NEW BUSINESS -NO. 1 3-1811' MARCH 13, 1991 inter - Com DATE: �_ WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER TO: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT FROM: CELEBRATION AND HOMECOMING EVENTS FOR THE TROOPS SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION Pleasure of the City Council. ALTERNATIVES ►►Adopt a Proclamation honoring the troops and welcoming them home; this could proclaim a special day or a special week, such as Proud to be an American Week, as suggested by Mr. Bales. ►►Designate a special day or days and have events to commemorate them. Rally Round the Flag Day, Welcome Home Day, and Public Appreciation Day have all been suggested. ►►Sponsor public rallies and/or concerts. ►►Work with the County of Orange to promote a big parade and celebration county -wide. ►►Work with nonprofit groups or individuals to produce a parade in Tustin. ►►Honor the troops at existing City -sponsored events, such as Celebrate the Family Week in May, the El Camino Real Chili Cook -off in June, and/or the Fourth of July Fireworks Show. While our gratitude and support for our troops is unlimited, the City budget is not. Council and staff are sincere in desiring to honor our troops, and it is especially relevant in Tustin, since the Marine Corps Air Station is located here. Whatever alternatives the Council chooses, the issues of budget and staff support should be addressed. Staff coordination is essential to a successful event, even when excellent volunteer assistance is available. Staff requests that the City Council provide direction regarding amount of funding available, as well as Council preference regarding events and timing. N BACKGROUND At the March 4 Council Meeting, Tustin resident Larry Bales suggested that the City sponsor or coordinate an event or events to welcome home the troops who served in the Middle East. Mr. Bales has written a letter, which is attached. Mr. Bales suggests various events such as parades, School Children for Troops Day, Rally Round the Flag Day, Welcome Home Day, Public Appreciation Day, public rallies, and concerts. In addition, Ms. Shifberg- Mencher stated that the Marine Corps and others were working on a large celebration and/or parade. Staff has been contacted by area resident Mary Mabee who is interested in promoting a parade. Ms. Mabee is very excited about doing something to welcome home our troops. She understands that there are many details involved in producing a parade, and the costs can be high; toward that end, Ms. Mabee has offered to contact potential sponsors for the event. In addition, everyone wants to be certain to coordinate events, so that no one is working at cross-purposes. In the last week, staff has attempted to locate exactly who is coordinating these events. The Marine Corps Family Services was planning an event; however, Major Sayre has deferred to Orange County Supervisor Gaddi Vasquez's Office. Staff has been told that Supervisor Vasquez will hold a press conference on March 15, to announce plans for the festivities. (Rumor has it that a parade may go through Tustin on Irvine Boulevard.) No date has been set; however, the County of Orange Public Information Office promised that all will become clear at the press conference. The Public Information office said that the Supervisor is planning a Committee of Host Mayors; to date, our Mayor' s of f ice has not been contacted. Unfortunately, the announcement is past the agenda deadline for the City Council meeting. Staff hopes to update the City Council at the meeting March 18. If the County is doing one big parade and celebration, it could be beneficial to coordinate with them. Council has many options to celebrate our troops' return, ranging from a Council Proclamation to special days or weeks. Sponsoring rallies, concerts, and parades are also alternatives. As Council is aware, a parade would demand extensive staff coordination and could entail unbudgeted costs. The Tiller Days Parade, for example, requires $2,500 in additional insurance premiums, and approximately $3,000 in staff costs. Should Council desire to do a parade, staff would require further direction regarding appropriation of funds. Another alternative is to tie in the welcoming festivities with an event that is already scheduled. The City of Tustin is sponsoring "Celebrate the Family Week," May 12 to May 19; events could be planned which would welcome home the troops in conjunction with the Family Week events. Another community event planned for June 2 is 3 the Chili Cook -Off; something could be scheduled for the troops at that event. Another suggestion, which President Bush has promulgated, is to welcome home the troops on the Fourth of July. The City and the School District co-sponsor a Fourth Fireworks Celebration every year; the fireworks and entertainment could be dedicated to the troops, and the whole event could be done in their honor, with picnics and other gala festivities. There is no shortage of opportunities to honor our troops. Staff requests Council direction regarding which alternatives to pursue, Council preference regarding timing, and Council direction regarding funding. Royleen A. White, Director Administrative Services Attachment RAW/Md RAW3:WHTRPS March 8, 1991 Honorable Board of Supervisors Honorable Members of City Councils CE E All Interested Parties I am a Proud American. My question is, are the Orange County Board of Supervisors and"' --'CES the City Council Members also Proud Americans? Many brave resident of Orange County risked their lives and had their families endure financial hardship to be Proud Americans. Let's show our appreciation for their efforts. I am requesting that you dedicate a week as "Proud To Be An American Week". This declaration will be for the purpose of showing our servicemen and veterans of all wars public support of their efforts to protect our freedom and liberty. The Persian Gulf was the instant case at hand, but world crisis can occur anywhere. We should show as strongly as possible, the spirit of the people of the United States. The dates of April 27 through May 5 are suggested as they coincide with two important events in Orange County, and allow enough time for "our" troops to return home. The annual United States Marine Corps Open House and Air Show is scheduled and will be held on April 27th and 28th. May 5th is "Cinco de Mayo". I'm sure the hispanic community will be happy to add a "Proud To Be An American" flavor to the festivities. Suggestions as to events that could be put together. 1. Parades 2. School Children for Troops Day 3. Rally Round the Flag Day 4. Welcome Home Day S. Public Appreciation Day 6. Public Rallys and Concerts These are just a few suggestions to get the process started. As you know, the possibilities are unlimited, but it will take the joint cooperation and efforts of all local agencies and organizations to make this the mother of all celebrations. I urge you not to let the efforts of those who have protected our liberty ad freedom in all wars to go unnoticed.