HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1991 0320 CC REG ITEM 11F MOORPARK ITEM /1. F.
PAUL W. LAWRASON JR. MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA STEVEN KUENY
Mayor 1-test of City Council Meeting City Manager
BERNARDO M. PEREZ of n ? 199 CHERYL J. KANE
Mayor Pro Tem City Attorney
SCOTT MONTGOMERY i!ft'+
ACTION K RICHARDS,A.I.C.P.
Councilmember 'JOHN E. WOZNIAK q Community Development
•
Councilmember 9'E° "'", JOHN F. KNIPE
By ll' ,�-lA2 t_
LILLIAN KELLERMAN City Engineer
City Clerk JOHN V. GILLESPIE
Chief of Police
RICHARD T. HARE
MEMORANDUM
Ciry Treasurer
TO: The Honorable City Council
019
FROM: Carolyn Greene, Management Analyst
DATE: March 14, 1991
SUBJECT: "Support the Troops" Program Final Report
The City recently sponsored a community-wide "Support the Troops"
program highlighted by the decoration of approximately 1 , 500 light
poles throughout the City with yellow ribbons and American flags.
In addition, a "Support the Troops" rally was held on Saturday,
February 23 , consisting of speeches by City representatives and
entertainment by students from Chaparral Middle School . It was
well received by the approximately 200 people who attended.
The program drew support from 17 diverse local organizations,
including service and homeowner groups, the Chamber of Commerce,
Chaparral Middle School , patriotic organizations, the Moorpark
Senior Citizens Club and the Ventura Professional Firefighters
Association. In addition, approximately 25 individuals responded
to media articles about the program and volunteered to assist.
Letters of appreciation have been sent to all groups and
individuals who assisted with the program.
Program Cost
Flags $335
Tape $135
Refreshments For Volunteers $ 25
Ribbon Donated
TOTAL $495
799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529-6864
The Honorable City Council
March 14, 1991
Page 2
Direct costs were considerably lower than the $2 ,000 budgeted by
the Council in February. In addition to direct costs, City staff
spent the following time on the project:
Management Analyst 37 hours
Public Works Maintenance Staff 16 hours
Assistant to the City Manager 12 hours
TOTAL 65 hours
Staff received many favorable comments from the public during and
after the "decoration day" , Saturday, February 23. Telephone calls
and letters to local newspapers reinforced public support for the
program. Media attention was somewhat less than expected, due to
a similar event taking place simultaneously at Moorpark College.
There was a problem with missing flags near schools and along major
streets in the downtown area. Placing the flags higher than six
feet may have prevented theft, but would have precluded
participation by volunteers. The overall effect on the program was
small , as most residential neighborhoods had complete coverage of
ribbons and flags.
Program Conclusion
Since there is an official cease-fire in effect, it appears that
the war is near an end. As the focus of the City's program was on
supporting the troops and many troops have not yet returned, it is
appropriate to leave ribbons and flags in place at this time.
However, staff have not replaced any missing or damaged
decorations.
Staff Recommendations
1. Direct staff to schedule a formal end to the City's "Support
the Troops" program as soon as there is an official announcement
and nationwide acknowledgement of the return of the majority of the
military forces from the Persian Gulf.
2 . Direct staff to coordinate a brief ceremony at a regular
Council meeting to acknowledge the city-wide effort of groups and
volunteers in the "Support the Troops" program.
3 . Direct staff to request groups and individuals to remove
decorations from their originally assigned area after the program's
formal conclusion, and, through news releases, encourage residents
to remove decorations from their own neighborhoods at that time.
After a two week period, City maintenance staff would begin to
check all areas and complete any necessary removal.