AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: February 6, 2024
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Magdalena Davis, Community Outreach Manager
Subject: RECOMMENDATION BY THE RODEO DRIVE /SPECIAL EVENTS /HOLIDAY PROGRAM LIAISONS TO CONSIDER THE PLACEMENT
OF PERSIAN NEW YEAR (NOWRUZ) STREET POLE BANNERS IN
BEVERLY HILLS FOR 2024
Attachments: 1. City Banner Policy
2. 2023 Artwork from Farhang Foundation with Updated Date
3. City Council Liaison /Rodeo Drive/ Special Events/ Holiday Program Committee Report from January 18, 2024 (without attachments)
RECOMMENDATION
The Beverly Hills City Council Liaison Rodeo Drive/ Special Events/ Holiday Program Committee, consisting of Vice Mayor Friedman and Councilmember Bosse, recommends the City Council approve the request for placement of Persian New Year (Nowruz) banners in Beverly Hills from March 1 through April 1, 2024.
INTRODUCTION
This item seeks City Council approval of the recommendation of the Beverly Hills City Council Liaison Rodeo Drive/ Special Events/ Holiday Program Committee (Liaisons) to approve the request for placement of Nowruz banners in Beverly Hills from March 1 through April 1, 2024.
Nowruz is a secular festival that welcomes the start of Spring and the beginning of the Persian New Year. The Liaison Committee of Vice Mayor Friedman and Councilmember Bosse reviewed and recommended the installation of 97 total street pole banners to commemorate the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz (New Day), celebrated this year on March 19, 2024. Similar to years past, the artwork was provided by the Farhang Foundation.
BEVERL
HILLS
di
Meeting Date: February 6, 2024
DISCUSSION
For many years, as far back as 2007, the City of Beverly Hills has commemorated Nowruz in a variety of ways, including proclamations, a public display at City Hall, virtual videos during the pandemic, and with street pole banners (Attachment 1).
Nowruz is the Persian New Year, which has been celebrated worldwide for over 3,000 years by people of diverse communities. Nowruz falls on the first day of the vernal (Spring) equinox, which typically occurs on or around March 21 and marks the first day of the Persian New Year, of which there are 13 days in many cultures. This year, Nowruz takes place on March 19, 2024. Beverly Hills is home to a significant Persian resident population.
In previous years, the Foundation has provided the City with artwork for the street pole banners without listing the name of the organization or the actual date of Nowruz on the banners, so that these banners can be used for multiple years. In 2023, the date was included with a design provided by the Foundation that featured the text “Women, Life, Freedom”, in solidarity with the women of Iran who continue to courageously and peacefully demonstrate for their fundamental human rights. This year, the same artwork is proposed, with the new date of March 19 (Attachment 2). The City typically uses banners for a few years, both to build up familiarity with the look of the event celebrated, and for cost-efficiency.
The number of banners approved in 2023 was a total of 88 street pole banners that included areas of the Business Triangle, Wilshire Boulevard, La Cienega Boulevard, S.
Santa Monica and N. Santa Monica. Additionally, last year one street span banner at the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard was displayed. The Liaisons recommended adding an additional 8 banners on Olympic Boulevard, adjacent to Roxbury Memorial Park, for greater awareness in that area of the City where banners had not been previously displayed. This will bring the total banners up to 97.
The Council is requested to approve the following items Liaisons recommended:
• Banner duration: Both street pole banners and street span banners to be placed for one month, from March 1 – April 1, 2024 (Nowruz is on March 19 this year, and in some cultures lasts for 13 days)
• Banner artwork: Same artwork provided by the Farhang Foundation in 2023, with an updated year and including the City Shield (Attachment 2) • Banner locations:
Alternating poles on both sides of the street
- Up to (10) banners on Wilshire Boulevard between Maple Drive and Robertson Boulevard
- Up to (10) banners on Wilshire Boulevard between N. Santa Monica Boulevard and Whitter Drive
- Up to (10) banners on La Cienega Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard
- Up to (10) banners on S. Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive
- Up to (7) banners on N. Canon Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and S.
Santa Monica Boulevard
- Up to (8) banners on N. Beverly Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and S.
Santa Monica Boulevard
Meeting Date: February 6, 2024
Alternating poles on the North side of the street
- Up to (33) banners on N. Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Doheny Drive
Liaisons recommended to add:
- Up to (8) banners on the South side of Olympic Boulevard, between Spaulding Drive and S. Roxbury Drive
Street span banner
- (1) banner across Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff has obtained an estimated cost of $11,452.43 (including tax) for the 8 new banners, cleaning and date overlays on the existing banners, installation, and removal. For comparison, when the new 89 banners were purchased last year, the cost was $23,576.10, with fabrication being the bulk of that cost.
Funding for this request is available in the Council approved budget for the Policy and Management Marketing budget (48008303-731000).
Keith Sterling,
Deputy City Manager
Approved By
Attachment 1
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS POLICY
REGARDING PRIVATELY-OWNED BANNERS AND RIBBONS
ON STREET TREES AND STREET POLES
The City of Beverly Fulls owns certain personal property, such as street light poles and other poles located in the public right of way (collectively referred to as “streetpoles”) from which the City and others occasionally hang decorative banners or bannerspromoting special events. Additionally, property owners have occasionally drapedribbons around street trees located in public right of way adjacent to their property.
Banners placed on street poles are an important medium for providing notice to Beverly Hills residents, as well as those who work in and visit Beverly Hills, about Citysponsored and City-funded special events. Because of the significant economic benefitsgained from tourism, the City has a strong interest in fostering tourism by promotingCity-sponsored and City-funded special events and by providing notice of the locations of nonprofit organizations (such as the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Beverly Hills Visitor Bureau) that promote tourism and business within Beverly Hills.
By adopting this policy, the City does not intend to create public fora on street poles and street trees. The street poles and street trees are not traditional public fora andthe City has never intended to open this property to use by others for communicativepurposes, so the street poles and street trees are not designated public fora. As aconsequence, the street poles and street trees are non-public fora.
The City wishes to establish a policy that governs the type of privately-owned banners and ribbons that may be affixed to street poles and street trees and the manner in which such items may be affixed. The purpose of these administrative regulations is to implement Beverly Hills Municipal Code Section 10-4-302(a), which prohibits the posting of any private sign, banner, or ribbon on a street pole, street tree or other publicproperty without the permission of the City. Adopting these implementing administrativeregulations will ensure that the provisions of Section 10-4-302 are applied in a viewpointneutral manner and that posting of banners and ribbons will not result in signage clutterthat districts vehicle drivers or has a negative aesthetic impact. This policy does not apply to City-owned banners or ribbons.
Except as provided in this policy, no privately-owned banner or ribbon shall be affixed to a street pole or street tree. Nothing in this policy exempts a person fromobtaining City approval before affixing banners or ribbons to City street poles or streettrees.
Banners
1. No banner shall be hung from a street tree.
B0785\000I\888541.1 - 1 -
CITY OF BEYERL Y HILLS POLICY
REGARDING PRIVATELY-OWNED BANNERS AND RIBBONS
ON STREET TREES AND STREET POLES
The City of Beverly Hills owns certain personal property, such as street light poles and other poles located in the public right of way (collectively referred to as "street poles") from which the City and others occasionally hang decorative banners or banners promoting special events. Additionally, property owners have occasionally draped ribbons around street trees located in public right of way adjacent to their property.
Banners placed on street poles are an important medium for providing notice to Beverly Hills residents, as well as those who work in and visit Beverly Hills, about Citysponsored and City-funded special events. Because of the significant economic benefits gained from tourism, the City has a strong interest in fostering tourism by promoting City-sponsored and City-funded special events and by providing notice of the locations of nonprofit organizations (such as the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Beverly Hills Visitor Bureau) that promote tourism and business within Beverly Hills.
By adopting this policy, the City does not intend to create public fora on street poles and street trees. The street poles and street trees are not traditional public fora and the City has never intended to open this property to use by others for communicative purposes, so the street poles and street trees are not designated public fora. As a consequence, the street poles and street trees are non-public fora.
The City wishes to establish a policy that governs the type of privately-owned banners and ribbons that may be affixed to street poles and street trees and the manner in which such items may be affixed. The purpose of these administrative regulations is to implement Beverly Hills Municipal Code Section 10-4-302(a), which prohibits the posting of any private sign, banner, or ribbon on a street pole, street tree or other public property without the permission of the City. Adopting these implementing administrative regulations will ensure that the provisions of Section 10-4-302 are applied in a viewpoint neutral manner and that posting of banners and ribbons will not result in signage clutter that districts vehicle drivers or has a negative aesthetic impact. This policy does not apply to City-owned banners or ribbons.
Except as provided in this policy, no privately-owned banner or ribbon shall be affixed to a street pole or street tree. Nothing in this policy exempts a person from obtaining City approval before affixing banners or ribbons to City street poles or street trees.
Banners
1. No banner shall be hung from a street tree.
B0785\0001\888541.1 - I -
CITY OF BEYERL Y HILLS POLICY
REGARDING PRIVATELY-OWNED BANNERS AND RIBBONS
ON STREET TREES AND STREET POLES
The City of Beverly Hills owns certain personal property, such as street light poles and other poles located in the public right of way (collectively referred to as "street poles") from which the City and others occasionally hang decorative banners or banners promoting special events. Additionally, property owners have occasionally draped ribbons around street trees located in public right of way adjacent to their property.
Banners placed on street poles are an important medium for providing notice to Beverly Hills residents, as well as those who work in and visit Beverly Hills, about Citysponsored and City-funded special events. Because of the significant economic benefits gained from tourism, the City has a strong interest in fostering tourism by promoting City-sponsored and City-funded special events and by providing notice of the locations of nonprofit organizations (such as the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Beverly Hills Visitor Bureau) that promote tourism and business within Beverly Hills.
By adopting this policy, the City does not intend to create public fora on street poles and street trees. The street poles and street trees are not traditional public fora and the City has never intended to open this property to use by others for communicative purposes, so the street poles and street trees are not designated public fora. As a consequence, the street poles and street trees are non-public fora.
The City wishes to establish a policy that governs the type of privately-owned banners and ribbons that may be affixed to street poles and street trees and the manner in which such items may be affixed. The purpose of these administrative regulations is to implement Beverly Hills Municipal Code Section 10-4-302(a), which prohibits the posting of any private sign, banner, or ribbon on a street pole, street tree or other public property without the permission of the City. Adopting these implementing administrative regulations will ensure that the provisions of Section 10-4-302 are applied in a viewpoint neutral manner and that posting of banners and ribbons will not result in signage clutter that districts vehicle drivers or has a negative aesthetic impact. This policy does not apply to City-owned banners or ribbons.
Except as provided in this policy, no privately-owned banner or ribbon shall be affixed to a street pole or street tree. Nothing in this policy exempts a person from obtaining City approval before affixing banners or ribbons to City street poles or street trees.
Banners
1. No banner shall be hung from a street tree.
B0785\0001\888541.1 - I -
2. No banner shall be hung from any street pole unless that pole has been specifically designed or equipped to accommodate banners.
3. Banners hung from City street poles shall be limited to the following:
a. Banners advertising events that satisfy all of the following criteria:
(i) arc open to the public; (ii) will be conducted on public property within Beverly Hills; (iii) are being sponsored, in part or in full, bythe City or the Beverly Hills Unified School District; and (iv) willraise money for a non-profit organization that either provides financial support or free services to the City or the School District. b. Banners advertising events that satisfy all of the following criteria:
(i) are open to the public; (ii) are being conducted on private, non residential, property within Beverly Hills where a non profit organization is the sole occupant; and (iii) are sponsored by that non-profit organization. Such banners shall be hung solely on polesdirectly adjacent to that property. c. Banners advertising City-sponsored or City-funded special events that satisfy all of the following criteria: (i) are open to the public;(ii) are conducted by a nonprofit organization that promotes tourism or business within Beverly Hills; and (iii) are not a purely commercial enterprise; and (iv) either (a) the proceeds, if any, will directly benefit either a federal, state or local government agencyor the non-profit organization conducting the event or (b) the special event will take place on City-owned property and willfurther a public purpose. “City-sponsored” special event means an event in which the City is a co-sponsor and actively involved inconducting or staging the event. A “City-funded” special event isan event that has received funding of $15,000 or more from theCity. d. Banners demarking the location of a non-profit organization that maintains tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and whose primary purpose is to promote tourism or business within Beverly Hills.
4. Material and location of banners shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. Banners that are hung over a street andbetween two poles on opposite sides of the street shall be no larger thantwenty feet (20) wide and four feet (4’) high. Vertical banners that are hung from one street pole shall be no larger than three feet, nine inches (3’9”) wide and ten feet (10’) high. Banners shall not include the logo of a for profit corporation nor indicate sponsorship by any individual or for profit corporation.
B0755\0001\888541.1 -2 - 2. No banner shall be hung from any street pole unless that pole has been specifically designed or equipped to accommodate banners. 3. Banners hung from City street poles shall be limited to the following: a. Banners advertising events that satisfy all of the following criteria: (i) are open to the public; (ii) will be conducted on public property within Beverly Hills; (iii) are being sponsored, in part or in full, by the City or the Beverly Hills Unified School District; and (iv) will raise money for a non-profit organization that either provides financial support or free services to the City or the School District. b. Banners advertising events that satisfy all of the following criteria: (i) are open to the public; (ii) are being conducted on private, non- residential, property within Beverly Hills where a non profit organization is the sole occupant; and (iii) are sponsored by that non-profit organization. Such banners shall be hung solely on poles directly adjacent to that property. c. Banners advertising City-sponsored or City-funded special events that satisfy all of the following criteria: (i) are open to the public; (ii) are conducted by a nonprofit organization that promotes tourism or business within Beverly Hills; and (iii) are not a purely commercial enterprise; and (iv) either (a) the proceeds, if any, will directly benefit either a federal, state or local government agency or the non-profit organization conducting the event pr (b) the special event will take place on City-owned property and will further a public purpose. "City-sponsored" special event means an event in which the City is a co-sponsor and actively involved in conducting or staging the event. A "City-funded" special event is an event that has received funding of $15,000 or more from the City. d. Banners demarking the location of a non-profit organization that maintains tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 50l(c)(3) and whose primary purpose is to promote tourism or business within Beverly Hills. 4. Material and location of banners shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. Banners that are hung over a street and between two poles on opposite sides of the street shall be no larger than twenty feet (20') wide and four feet ( 4') high. Vertical banners that are hung from one street pole shall be no larger than three feet, nine inches (3'9") wide and ten feet (10') high. Banners shall not include the logo of a for profit corporation nor indicate sponsorship by any individual or for profit corporation. B0785\000 I \888541.1 -2- 2. No banner shall be hung from any street pole unless that pole has been specifically designed or equipped to accommodate banners. 3. Banners hung from City street poles shall be limited to the following: a. Banners advertising events that satisfy all of the following criteria: (i) are open to the public; (ii) will be conducted on public property within Beverly Hills; (iii) are being sponsored, in part or in full, by the City or the Beverly Hills Unified School District; and (iv) will raise money for a non-profit organization that either provides financial support or free services to the City or the School District. b. Banners advertising events that satisfy all of the following criteria: (i) are open to the public; (ii) are being conducted on private, non- residential, property within Beverly Hills where a non profit organization is the sole occupant; and (iii) are sponsored by that non-profit organization. Such banners shall be hung solely on poles directly adjacent to that property. c. Banners advertising City-sponsored or City-funded special events that satisfy all of the following criteria: (i) are open to the public; (ii) are conducted by a nonprofit organization that promotes tourism or business within Beverly Hills; and (iii) are not a purely commercial enterprise; and (iv) either (a) the proceeds, if any, will directly benefit either a federal, state or local government agency or the non-profit organization conducting the event pr (b) the special event will take place on City-owned property and will further a public purpose. "City-sponsored" special event means an event in which the City is a co-sponsor and actively involved in conducting or staging the event. A "City-funded" special event is an event that has received funding of $15,000 or more from the City. d. Banners demarking the location of a non-profit organization that maintains tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 50l(c)(3) and whose primary purpose is to promote tourism or business within Beverly Hills. 4. Material and location of banners shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. Banners that are hung over a street and between two poles on opposite sides of the street shall be no larger than twenty feet (20') wide and four feet ( 4') high. Vertical banners that are hung from one street pole shall be no larger than three feet, nine inches (3'9") wide and ten feet (10') high. Banners shall not include the logo of a for profit corporation nor indicate sponsorship by any individual or for profit corporation. B0785\000 I \888541.1 -2-
5. No decorative flags or any other moving objects may be attached to the ties or cords used to secure banners hung over a street.
6. Banners advertising an event shall be hung no earlier than fourteen (14) days before the event and shall be removed within one (1) business day after the event. If any banner is not removed within this time frame, City personnel shall remove the banner and the owner of the banner shall bebilled for the City’s costs associated with such removal.
7. Banners shall be removed if they become torn, tattered, faded or are otherwise not maintained in a first class condition.
8. All banners shall be affixed in accordance with safety requirements established by the City Engineer.
9. No banners shall be hung from City street poles during the following dates: November 1st through January 10th annually.
10. For the purposes of this policy, “banner” shall have the same meaning as “flag, banner or pennant” as defined in the Beverly Hills Municipal Code.
11. The City shall limit its review and approval of banners to whether the banners meet the criteria of this policy and whether the posting of thebanner would conflict with the scheduled posting of any other banner.The City shall render its decision within thirty days after an application for a banner has been filed.
Ribbons
1. A private property owner may affix a ribbon to a street tree directly adjacent to that owner’s property provided that:a. The ribbon is affixed in a manner that does not injure the tree. b. The ribbon is a single color and contains no text.c. No more than one ribbon is affixed to a tree at any one time.d. No street tree shall be draped with a ribbon for more than one week in any six-month period.
2. Ribbons shall be removed if they become torn, tattered, faded or are otherwise not maintained in a first class condition.
B0785\0001\888541.1 -3 -
5. No decorative flags or any other moving objects may be attached to the ties or cords used to secure banners hung over a street.
6. Banners advertising an event shall be hung no earlier than fourteen (14) days before the event and shall be removed within one (1) business day after the event. If any banner is not removed within this time frame, City personnel shall remove the banner and the owner of the banner shall be billed for the City's costs associated with such removal.
7. Banners shall be removed if they become tom, tattered, faded or are otherwise not maintained in a first class condition.
8. All banners shall be affixed in accordance with safety requirements established by the City Engineer.
9. No banners shall be hung from City street poles during the following dates: November 1st through January 10th annually.
10. For the purposes of this policy, "banner" shall have the same meaning as "flag, banner or pennant" as defined in the Beverly Hills Municipal Code.
11. The City shall limit its review and approval of banners to whether the banners meet the criteria of this policy and whether the posting of the banner would conflict with the scheduled posting of any other banner.
The City shall render its decision within thirty days after an application for a banner has been filed.
Ribbons
1. A private property owner may affix a ribbon to a street tree directly adjacent to that owner's property provided that:
a. The ribbon is affixed in a manner that does not injure the tree. b. The ribbon is a single color and contains no text. c. No more than one ribbon is affixed to a tree at any one time. d. No street tree shall be draped with a ribbon for more than one week in any six-month period.
2. Ribbons shall be removed if they become tom, tattered, faded or are otherwise not maintained in a first class condition .
B0785\0001\888541.1 -3-
5. No decorative flags or any other moving objects may be attached to the ties or cords used to secure banners hung over a street.
6. Banners advertising an event shall be hung no earlier than fourteen (14) days before the event and shall be removed within one (1) business day after the event. If any banner is not removed within this time frame, City personnel shall remove the banner and the owner of the banner shall be billed for the City's costs associated with such removal.
7. Banners shall be removed if they become tom, tattered, faded or are otherwise not maintained in a first class condition.
8. All banners shall be affixed in accordance with safety requirements established by the City Engineer.
9. No banners shall be hung from City street poles during the following dates: November 1st through January 10th annually.
10. For the purposes of this policy, "banner" shall have the same meaning as "flag, banner or pennant" as defined in the Beverly Hills Municipal Code.
11. The City shall limit its review and approval of banners to whether the banners meet the criteria of this policy and whether the posting of the banner would conflict with the scheduled posting of any other banner.
The City shall render its decision within thirty days after an application for a banner has been filed.
Ribbons
1. A private property owner may affix a ribbon to a street tree directly adjacent to that owner's property provided that:
a. The ribbon is affixed in a manner that does not injure the tree. b. The ribbon is a single color and contains no text. c. No more than one ribbon is affixed to a tree at any one time. d. No street tree shall be draped with a ribbon for more than one week in any six-month period.
2. Ribbons shall be removed if they become tom, tattered, faded or are otherwise not maintained in a first class condition .
B0785\0001\888541.1 -3-
3. The City shall limit its review and approval of ribbons to whether the ribbons meet the criteria of this policy and whether the affixing of theribbons would conflict with the scheduled affixing of any other ribbon.The City shall render its decision within thirty days after an application fora ribbon has been filed.
B0785\0001\888541.I -4-
3. The City shall limit its review and approval of ribbons to whether the ribbons meet the criteria of this policy and whether the affixing of the ribbons would conflict with the scheduled affixing of any other ribbon. The City shall render its decision within thirty days after an application for a ribbon has been filed.
B0785\0001\888541.1 - 4-
3. The City shall limit its review and approval of ribbons to whether the ribbons meet the criteria of this policy and whether the affixing of the ribbons would conflict with the scheduled affixing of any other ribbon. The City shall render its decision within thirty days after an application for a ribbon has been filed.
B0785\0001\888541.1 - 4-
Attachment 2
Nowruz Banners 2023 Artwork
Provided by the Farhang Foundation
Date will be updated for 2024 to March 19
Street-pole banners
Street-span banner
WOMAN
LIFE
FREEDOM
MARCH 20
WELCOMING
NOWRUZ
IRANIAN NEW YEAR
%
WELCOMING NOWRUZ
IRANIAN NEWYEAR MARCH 20 9
WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM
)
WOMAN
LIFE
FREEDOM
MARCH 20
WELCOMING
NOWRUZ
IRANIAN NEW YEAR
%
WELCOMING NOWRUZ
IRANIAN NEWYEAR MARCH 20 9
WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM
)
Attachment 3
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council Liaison /Rodeo Drive/ Special Events/ Holiday Program Committee
FROM: Magdalena Davis, Community Outreach Manager
DATE: January 18, 2024
SUBJECT: Request to Consider the Placement of Persian New Year (Nowruz) Street Pole Banners in Beverly Hills for 2024
ATTACHMENT: 1. City Banner Policy
2. 2023 Artwork from Farhang Foundation with Updated Date
INTRODUCTION
This report provides the City Council Liaison /Rodeo Drive/ Special Events/ Holiday Program Committee of Vice Mayor Friedman and Councilmember Bosse (Liaisons) with a request to consider the installation of street pole banners to commemorate the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz (New Day), celebrated this year on March 19, 2024. Similar to years past, the artwork was provided by the Farhang Foundation.
Nowruz is a secular festival that welcomes the start of Spring and the beginning of the Persian New Year.
The City Council Liaisons are requested to review the artwork with updated year, locations and duration of the banners.
DISCUSSION
For many years, as far back as 2007, the City of Beverly Hills has commemorated Nowruz in a variety of ways, including proclamations, a public display at City Hall, virtual videos during the pandemic, and with street pole banners (Attachment 1).
Nowruz is the Persian New Year, which has been celebrated worldwide for over 3,000 years by people of very diverse communities. Nowruz falls on the first day of the vernal (Spring) equinox, which typically occurs on or around March 21 and marks the first day of the Persian New Year.
This year, Nowruz takes place on March 19, 2024. Beverly Hills is home to a significant Persian resident population.
In previous years, the Foundation has provided the City with artwork for the street pole banners without listing the name of the organization or the actual date of Nowruz on the banners, so that these banners can be used for multiple years. In 2023, the date was included with a design provided by the Foundation that featured the text “Women, Life, Freedom”, in solidarity with the women of Iran who continue to courageously and peacefully demonstrate for their fundamental human rights. This year, the same artwork is proposed, with the new date of March 19 2 of 2
(Attachment 2). The City typically uses banners for a few years, both to build up familiarity with the look of the event celebrated, and for cost-efficiency.
The number of banners approved was a total of 88 street pole banners that included areas of the Business Triangle, Wilshire Boulevard, La Cienega Boulevard, S. Santa Monica and N. Santa Monica. Additionally, last year one street span banner at the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard was displayed.
Should the Liaisons approve installing street pole banners for Nowruz, then the following items are for consideration:
• Banner duration: Both street pole banners and street span banners to be placed for one month, from March 1 – April 1, 2024 (Nowruz is on March 19 this year) • Banner artwork: Same artwork provided by the Farhang Foundation in 2023, with an updated year and including the City Shield (Attachment 2) • Banner locations:
Alternating poles on both sides of the street
- Up to (10) banners on Wilshire Boulevard between Maple Drive and Robertson Boulevard
- Up to (10) banners on Wilshire Boulevard between N. Santa Monica Boulevard and Whitter Drive
- Up to (10) banners on La Cienega Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard
- Up to (10) banners on S. Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive
- Up to (7) banners on N. Canon Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and S. Santa Monica Boulevard
- Up to (8) banners on N. Beverly Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and S. Santa Monica Boulevard
Alternating poles on the North side of the street
- Up to (33) banners on N. Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Doheny Drive
Street span banner
- (1) banner across Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff has obtained an estimated cost of $9,182.33 (including tax) for cleaning and date overlays on the existing banners, installation, and removal. For comparison, when new banners were purchased last year, the cost was $23,576.10, with fabrication being the bulk of that cost.
Funding for this request is available in the Council approved budget for the Policy and Management Marketing budget (48008303-734400).
RECOMMENDATION
Staff requests the City Council Liaisons provide recommendations for the 2024 Nowruz banners.
Liaison recommendations will go as a Consent item to Council at the February 6, 2024 meeting.