PURPOSE:  

At the January 17, 2006 City Council meeting, Mayor Jef Vander Borght requested that staff place an item on the agenda to discuss the potential of developing a banner program honoring individuals serving in the armed forces. Prior to extending significant staff effort, this item has been placed on the agenda as the first step in what is referred to as the �one-step, two-step process�, for additional Council discussion and consideration.  

BACKGROUND:

Staff conducted an initial survey concerning military recognition programs sponsored by municipalities. At this time, Pasadena and Glendale do not have a program in place.  However, Glendora, Monrovia, Claremont, West Covina and Redondo Beach do have recognition programs.  In some cases they involve street banners and in other cases a poster is placed in the window of the family member who is serving.  Participation in the existing programs varies.  Staff�s initial survey had City programs with as little as seven participants or in excess of two hundred.  The banners and/or posters remain displayed during an individual�s military service while the United States has major overseas deployments.

The programs receive funding from various resources. Some municipalities fund the entire cost of the banner (and the brackets, if required) and/or poster. In other cases community groups or individuals provide the financial support.

DISCUSSION:

If it is City Council�s desire, staff can conduct a more extensive survey to secure additional program information.  Issues that have come forward during our initial data collections are as follows:

1. Whether to initiate a banner program or poster program.  The latter has a historical basis and was commonplace during previous World Wars.

2. If a banner program was selected, who would be the lead entity to develop the program? Could this be a collaborative effort between the City and other community groups?

3. Where would the banners be placed? A dedicated area would need to be selected since the banners in all the recognition programs are displayed year round.

4. Who would fund the program? Currently, framed posters might run $40 each after the initial art work has been completed. Banners would cost approximately $85 each. The installation brackets are an additional $85.  There would be an additional cost to hang and maintain the banners.  If the banners remained up until the military service concluded, this cost would not be significant. As an example, if you had one hundred individuals serving in the armed forces, the cost of the program would be approximately $18,000.  It is important to note that these programs recognize everyone serving, not just those who are overseas in a combat zone.

FISCAL IMPACT:

As the first step in a two-step agenda process, this item is being presented for discussion and additional Council direction only.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Staff recommends that the Council initiate discussion on the possibility of directing staff to develop a Military Recognition Program.

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