STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: April 16, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Nancy Hunt-Coffey, City Manager
Stephanie Harris, Director of Community Services
Subject: Update on and Discussion of the Installation, Security, and Maintenance of the Temporary Art Display of 1,400 International Flags and Discussion of any Further Efforts to Honor the Victims of the October 7, 2023, Attack on Israel and Those Still Being Held Hostage and General Fund Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and/or Fiscal Year 2024-25 Commensurate with the Duration of the Display
INTRODUCTION
The Consulate General of Israel’s Office first presented the concept of a flag display to then Mayor Gold in October 2023. The concept involved creating an art installation whereby one flag for each life lost is displayed, with each flag being representative of the nationality of the individual.
DISCUSSION
At the December 5, 2023, City Council Study Session, staff presented a request from the Consulate’s Office and then Mayor Gold for the flag display to be installed in Beverly Gardens Park at the intersection of Cañon Drive and North Santa Monica Boulevard surrounding the Peace and Love sculpture.
The City Council approved the requested location and provided staff with the direction to proceed with installation. It was also the direction of the City Council that security for the flags be provided 24 hours a day for the duration of the month-long installation. At the January 23, 2024, the flags were again discussed by the City Council, and details of the project were confirmed.
In collaboration with the Consul General of Israel, the City installed the flags on January 24, 2024, with a dedication taking place on January 25, 2024. The flags were subsequently removed on February 26, 2024.
Attachments: None
Meeting Date: April 16,2024
At the March 8, 2024 Special City Council Meeting, City Council approved the reinstallation of the flags and authorized funding for 60-days (through May 8) and requested that staff return to further discuss the installation.
The flags were installed on Saturday, March 9, 2024, and removed on April 8, 2024, for landscape maintenance. The flags were reinstalled on Friday, April 12, 2024, and are set to be removed on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, for landscape maintenance and annual Art Show preparations.
The cost associated with each installation and removal of the flags is $14,000, which includes a contingency for replacement flags and poles. The cost for 24-hour private security coverage for 30 days is $55,080. When the time comes for the flag display to be removed, the turf area will need to be reseeded. The estimated cost to reseed the installation area is approximately $2,500.
The City Council is asked to provide direction on the following:
- Should the flag display be reinstalled at the conclusion of the Art Show? - If so, for how long should they be installed?
- If not, what should occur with the flags after they are deinstalled? - Does the City Council feel that additional efforts should be undertaken to commemorate the October 7th attack or to highlight those who are still being held hostage?
To date the City has completed the following: hosted a forum of family members of hostages to discuss the events of October 7th and the plight of the hostages; shabbat table art display; flag art display; approved a special event permit to project images of the hostages during the Vanity Fair party.
FISCAL IMPACT
Each additional 30-day period costs approximately $70,000, as detailed below. There is no funding appropriated for any installation period past the May 8, 2024, removal date.
Should any additional installation period be requested by the Council after the Aart Show breakdown concludes on May 21 a respective Fiscal Year 2023-24 appropriation will be required (estimated at $94,000) to keep the flags on display through June 30, 2024.
Additionally, if the Council requests additional installation periods in the new Fiscal Year 2024-25, a General Fund appropriation of $70,000 for each required 30-day installation period will be included in the FY 2024-25 proposed budget.
Fiscal Year 2023-24
Flag Installation and Security Costs
Flags $ 14,920.00
Security $ 55,080.00
30-day Cost $ 70,000.00
Divided by 30 days 30
Cost Per Day $ 2,330.00
Reinstallation Start 5/21/2024
Reinstallation End 6/30/2024
Meeting Date: April 16,2024
Days Remaining in Fiscal Year 40
Total Flag/Security Costs FY23/24 $ 93,200.00
On March 18, 2024, the Finance Department reported on midyear results for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and provided a ten-year General Fund forecast, which indicated potential financial challenges on the horizon. The table below summarizes additional Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2023-24 General Fund appropriations activity after budget adoption. Excluding any Council direction on April 16, 2024, agenda items, additional appropriations to date total $17.3 million, and it is estimated that $9.5 million of unassigned reserves will be required to support them.
Additional appropriations for the remainder of the fiscal year will likely require the use of reserves.
Date Agenda Item Council Mid-Year
Appropriations
8/15/2023
Agreement with Step Up on Second to Provide 30 Units of Scattered-Site Permanent Supportive Housing for the Unhoused and 40 Motel Stays $ 1,798,065
9/19/2023 Approval of Salary Schedule and Associated Appropriation 26,700 10/3/2023 JPA Agreement + CCTV Purchases/Installation 4,012,215 11/7/2023 Tourism and Marketing True-Up (from FY 2022-23) 1,117,365 11/21/2023 Nastec International, Inc. Unhoused Support 515,000 11/21/2023 Property Purchase (111 North Gale Drive) 8,419,000 12/5/2023 Miscellaneous Groups - MOU Cost Increases 660,000 12/5/2023 Executive Compensation Plan - Cost Increases 35,970 1/23/2024 Flag Display and Shabbat Table 92,628
2/6/2024 Afterschool Program Instruction 200,000
3/8/2024 Flag Display/Security 150,000
3/18/2024 Approval of Salary Schedule and Associated Appropriation 23,000 3/18/2024 Unhoused Programming Updates and Software 246,494 Fiscal Year 2023-24 Mid-Year Appropriations Approved by Council $ 17,296,437
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council discuss and provide direction on next steps related to the temporary art display of 1,400 international flags to honor those who lost their lives during the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and a General Fund appropriation for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023-24 and/or Fiscal Year 2024-25 that is commensurate with the duration of the display, as directed by Council.
Jeff S. Muir
Director of Finance
Stephanie Harris,
Director of Community Services
Approved By Approved By