TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
FROM: P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to approve staff’s modification plan to incorporate the Space Force into the City’s Veterans Memorial at Library Garden.
DATE: September 23, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In November 2020, the City of Bellflower completed significant enhancements to the Veterans Memorial at Library Garden. At that time, the newly established Space Force was not included in the memorial’s design. In an effort to incorporate recognition for veterans from this newest branch of service into the current design, $20,000 was allocated in the current budget cycle to develop conceptual designs.
After discussions with City administration, it was determined that the City can incorporate the new branch into the memorial’s original award-winning design with minor modifications that do not disturb the overall appearance of the memorial.
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the proposed modification plan to incorporate the Space Force into the City’s Veterans Memorial; and
2) Authorize a budget transfer from 010-42054-5000 to 020-47022-9000 in the amount of $20,000; or
3) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
The current FY 2024-25 operating budget includes $20,000 allocated for conceptual designs related to the Space Force under the General Fund Account No. 010-42054- 5000. Staff is requesting that these design funds be redirected to cover the costs of the actual project implementation in the Public Arts Fund Account No. 020-47022-9000, in the form of a loan to be recovered with future Public Arts fees collected by the City .
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1 Staff Report – Veterans Memorial Space Force Addition September 23, 2024
DISCUSSION
Veterans Memorial Modification Plan – Space Force Addition
Staff will collaborate closely with the Public Works Department to implement the following steps for this project:
1. Replace POW Monument with Space Force Monument:
Currently, there are a total of six monuments dedicated to five military branches and one to POWs. Each monument features an embedded bronze seal on the exterior of its concrete base, with the branch motto displayed in metal letters on the interior. Each monument also houses an individual flag and flagpole. As part of this proposed plan, the existing POW monument will be repurposed to honor the Space Force. A newly fabricated Space Force bronze seal, metal motto letters, and a flag will be installed.
Below is one version of the Space Force logo and the motto is Semper Supra (Always Above).
2. Addition of POW Flag to U.S. Flagpole:
The existing POW flag will be relocated to fly beneath the U.S. flag on the same flagpole. The State and City flags will remain on their respective flagpoles. Staff is working with VFW design partners to ensure proper flag protocol is followed.
3. Relocation of POW Bronze Seal:
The existing POW bronze seal will be preserved and embedded in the grass area directly beneath the U.S. and POW flagpole.
UNITED STATES I ,. SPACE FORCE
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