HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - SC YOUTH MEMORIAL (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item 4
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
August 26, 2003
D
Adele Macpherson
SANTA CLARITA BLUE RIBBON YOUTH MEMORIAL
Parks, Recreation & Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the proposed project and the selected site within Central Park for a
memorial. Direct staff to proceed with the future Santa Clarita Blue Ribbon Youth Memorial.
BACKGROUND
The Blue Ribbon Task Force was established in January 2000 to address the issues of drugs,
alcohol, and tobacco use by teens. The Task Force is composed of community-based
organizations, parents, youth, educators, law enforcement, businesses, and City staff. The group
works to educate parents and increase community awareness of the issues.
In February 2003, the Task Force was approached by a parent who was concerned about roadside
memorials and the safety of the public who gather at these sites. It was suggested that a
memorial be built to provide a safe venue where the public, particularly the youth, can go to
remember Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) youth killed in traffic -related collisions, while also serving
as an education tool to deter future deaths.
A subcommittee was formed under the Blue Ribbon Task Force to pursue this project. The
memorial will be for SCV youth up to 24 years old who died from traffic -related collisions. The
memorial will carry a powerful message about the consequences of alcohol/drug use and/or
reckless driving. The memorial, under this concept, will exude serenity and peace, and will
invite reflection on the part of the observer. The memorial will also serve as the focal point for
large gatherings and candle -light vigils that have been part of the Santa Clarita landscape in the
past few years.
Several potential locations for the memorial were considered including Central Park, Town
Center Drive, and the Sports Complex. After much deliberation by the subcommittee and
consultation with a youth group, it was decided that Central Park was the best choice for the
project. Task Force members worked with Parks staff and looked at eight locations within
Central Park. These choices were narrowed down to one final site that the subcommittee
preferred.
On July 10, 2003, a presentation was made to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Commission who unanimously approved the project and the preferred site. Staff is seeking
approval from the City Council to locate the memorial at the preferred site within Central Park.
Attached is a site map to identify the proposed location.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force has launched a fund-raising campaign to cover the design and
construction costs of the project (estimated at $50,000). This fund-raising campaign includes
restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds on particular nights, a car wash, selling raffle
tickets during the Concerts in the Parks series, corporate sponsorship, and other activities. The
target date for completion and unveiling of the memorial is May 2004.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Decline the proposed project and site.
2. Approve the proposed project, but select an alternate site.
3. Other direction as determined by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None to the City. The memorial will be paid through fund-raising efforts.
ATTACHMENTS
Blue Ribbon Memorial - Proposed Site Map
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