AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: November 15, 2022
Item Number:
To:
E-5
Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Patty Acuna, Assistant Director of Community Services Magdalena Davis, Community Services Manager
Subject: REQUEST TO PLACE A PLAQUE NEXT TO A GROVE OF TREES
BEING PLANTED ADJACENT TO COLDWATER CANYON PARK IN
RECOGNITION OF A DONATION MADE IN HONOR OF VAHAGN
SETIAN, BY THE VAHAGN SETIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Attachments: 1. Agenda Report from November 16, 2021 Formal Council Meeting
RECOMMENDATION
The Community Services Department requests approval to place a plaque next to a grove of trees adjacent to Coldwater Canyon Park in recognition of a donation made in honor of Vahagn Setian, by the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation. The first trees are proposed to be planted December 4, 2022.
At the November 16, 2021, Formal Council Meeting City Council voted to approve an initial request of a plaque on a landscape boulder adjacent to the memorial tree at Roxbury Park, with the note that in years to follow, donations from the Foundation would go to support the planting of trees by the Urban Forest Department in Public Works.
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Setian reached out to the City once again on behalf of the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation to recommit the organization’s decision to make an ongoing contribution to the City in honor of Vahagn Setian by planting trees.
The desire to plant a tree each year in conjunction to an annual memorial was brought forward to City Council in 2021 with the support of the Recreation and Parks Commission (Attachment 1). That year, the tree being planted was selected at Roxbury Park, with a dedication of a plaque affixed to a boulder to scale. It was noted that both the Commission and Council supported the proposal and the work that the Setian family has provided to the Beverly Hills community.
BEVERLV
HILLS
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Council Meeting Date: November 15, 2021
In line with the former report’s recommendation that in years to follow, donations made by the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation would go to support the planting of a grove of trees by the Urban Forest Division in Public Works. The location of the grove is currently identified for an unplanted area adjacent to Coldwater Canyon Park (address approximately 1100 Coldwater Canyon). An initial tree, with landscaping and plaque memorializing the grove from the Foundation’s donation, would be installed, with future trees planted annually as donations are made in Vahagn Setian’s name.
DISCUSSION
The Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation was established immediately after Vahagn's passing in December of 2006. The Foundation started their charitable contributions to the community by providing musical instruments to children whose families could not afford to purchase one of their own, which continues to this day. Mr. Setian stated he then realized that the core of the Foundation’s work should be to address the children and the decisions they make. Based on the tragedy their family was faced with, Mr.
Setian has shared that even though his son was not drunk and was not driving, he did get into a car with an adult who was drunk and that was a decision he wishes his son had not made.
The Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation has since been charged with supporting and communicating with the youth of the community on a personal level and share the story of their son, and family's loss and pain, through many avenues.
Partnering with the Beverly Hills Unified School District and the Beverly Hills Police and Fire Departments, the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation has contributed to the “Every 15 Minutes” program since 2008. Along with their contributions to this program, the Foundation has held many assemblies, providing youth and young people with guidance on the impacts of their decisions.
The Foundation also has been giving annual scholarships to students who have a caring nature for others helping to further their mission and commitment to the community.
Beginning in 2011, the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation had produced an annual memorial run organized alongside the Beverly Hills Police Department. The Foundation has worked closely with BHPD, advocating for a strong trust with law enforcement, a goal which ensures youth see a friend and protector in our men and women in uniform.
Mr. Setian is a former Health and Safety Commissioner from 2007 to 2012. He shared that in their family’s darkest days, this community stood by them, never leaving them alone and has always supported them and the Foundation in many ways.
In 2021, the Foundation requested to also make donations to the City’s Charitable Foundation to plant a tree annually. At that time, staff met with then Recreation and Parks Chair Susan Mischler and former Vice Chair Amie Sherry to discuss the proposal of the boulder and plaque dedication. Both Chair and Vice Chair support the proposal and the work that the Setian family has provided to the Beverly Hills community. A unique, one-time location at Roxbury Park was identified for 2021, and approved by Council.
With the Foundation’s plan to find a location to continue for many years to come, the Urban Forest Division in Public Works has now identified an area adjacent to Coldwater Canyon Park that currently does not have any trees planted, and could support a grove of up to 8-10 trees (the total number depending on the growth of the trees). This area of Coldwater Canyon is owned by LA County Flood Control, while being managed and Council Meeting Date: November 15, 2021
maintained by the City of Beverly Hills since 1964. Similar Arbor Day and other commemorative plaques the accompany tree plantings are in the area. It is the Foundation’s desire to provide ongoing funding to the City for the planting and maintenance of trees, with an annual contribution of $2,500. An inaugural tree with one plaque would begin the Memorial Grove this year. While a tree would continue to be planted with a donation each year, only this initial plaque would commemorate the area.
A planting ceremony is planned to be held on Sunday, December 4, 2022 by the Foundation.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation has committed to a generous donation of $2,500 annually to the City of Beverly Hills Community Charitable Foundation for a memorial grove, with a commemorative plaque, for a planned 8-10 trees, one each year, for a total donation of $20,000-$25,000. Similar to last year’s initial commemorative plaque, a 2-inch by 10-inch plaque would be placed next to the first tree planted in Coldwater Canyon Park area.
The annual donation will cover the costs associated with the acquisition and installation of this initial tree and plaque, and subsequent trees only.
Jenny Rogers,
Director of Community Services
Approved By
Attachment 1
AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: November 16, 2021
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Patty Acuna, Assistant Director of Community Services Stephanie Harris, Community Services Manager
Subject: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO PLACE A LANDSCAPE BOULDER
AND PLAQUE IN RECOGNITION OF A DONATION MADE IN HONOR
OF VAHAGN SETIAN, BY THE VAHAGN SETIAN CHARITABLE
FOUNDATION NEXT TO A TREE BEING PLANTED AT ROXBURY
PARK
Attachments: 1. Plaque Language
RECOMMENDATION
Requesting approval to place a landscape boulder and plaque in recognition of a donation made in honor of Vahagn Setian, by the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation next to a tree being planted in picnic area one at Roxbury Park.
On Wednesday, November 3, 2021, staff met with Recreation and Parks Chair Susan Mischler and Vice Chair Amie Sherry to discuss the proposal of the boulder and plaque dedication. Both Chair and Vice Chair support the proposal and the work that the Setian family has provided to the Beverly Hills community.
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Setian reached out to the City on behalf of the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation looking to make an ongoing contribution to the City in honor of Vahagn Setian by planting a tree.
The desire to plant a tree each year in conjunction to their annual memorial run has been brought forward to the City of Beverly Hills. This year the tree being planted was selected as part of the City’s annual Arbor Day programing that was pushed back due to the Covid pandemic. The dedication of a plaque affixed to a boulder to scale is being proposed for this inaugural event. In years to follow, donations made by the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation will go to support the planting of trees by the Urban Forest Department in Public Works.
&
Council Meeting Date: November 16, 2021
In alignment with other donations made throughout the City, the Community Services Department has worked with Mr. Setian to determine a plaque size similar to donations made at the $5,000 level.
DISCUSSION
The Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation was established immediately after Vahagn's passing in December of 2006. Originally, the Foundation started their charitable contributions to the community by providing musical instruments to children whose families could not afford to purchase one of their own. This foundational program is something that they continue doing to this day. Mr. Setian has since said he then realized that the core of the Foundation’s work should be to address the children and the decisions they make. Based on the tragedy he was faced with, Mr. Setian has shared that even though his son was not drunk and was not driving, he did get into a car with an adult who was drunk and that was a decision he wishes his son had not made.
The Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation has since been charged with supporting and communicating with the youth of the community as effectively as they can. They continue to communicate with the youth of the community on a personal level and share the story of their son, and family's loss and pain, through many avenues.
Partnering with the Beverly Hills Unified School District and the Beverly Hills Police and Fire Departments, the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation has contributed to the “Every 15 Minutes” program since 2008. Along with their contributions to this program, the Foundation has held many assemblies over the years, addressing over ten thousand students where Mr. Setian himself speaks, answering various questions and providing youth and young people with guidance on the impacts of their decisions.
The Foundation also has been giving annual scholarships to students who have a caring nature for others helping to further their mission and commitment to the community.
Beginning in 2011, the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation has produced an annual memorial run organized alongside the Beverly Hills Police Department. The Foundation has been working closely with BHPD, advocating for a strong trust between students and our Police Department. The goal has been to make sure they see a friend and protector in our men and women in uniform.
Mr. Setian was also a Health and Safety Commissioner from 2007 to 2012, which provided him another opportunity to give back to our wonderful community. He shared that in their family’s darkest days, this community stood by them, never leaving them alone and has always supported them and the Foundation in many ways. It is their desire to provide ongoing funding to the City for the planting and maintenance of trees in an annual contribution of $5,000.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation has made a generous donation of $5,000 to the City of Beverly Hills Community Charitable Foundation for a landscape boulder and plaque to remember this inaugural tree dedication. Similar to donations of this size, a 2 inch by 10 inch plaque will be affixed to a boulder placed next to a tree being planted at Roxbury Park.
Council Meeting Date: November 16, 2021
The donation will cover the costs associated with the acquisition and installation of both the plaque and boulder.
Jenny Rogers,
Director of Community Services
Approved By
ATTACHMENT 1
VAHAGN SETIAN (1989-2006)
Our Work is Strong With Your Support
VAHAGNFOUNDATION.ORG