AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Stephanie Harris, Director of Community Services
Shana Epstein, Director of Public Works
Subject: DISCUSSION OF TEMPORARY MEMORIAL STREET SIGNAGE TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2023 ATTACK ON
ISRAEL; AND
A FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 APPROPRIATION TOTALING $74,708
FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE REINSTALLATION,
SECURITY, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TEMPORARY ART
DISPLAY OF 1,400 INTERNATIONAL FLAGS TO HONOR THE
VICTIMS OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2023 ATTACK ON ISRAEL AND
HOSTAGES WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED
Attachments: 1. Memorial Street Signs Design Options and Proposed Locations
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a General Fund appropriation of $74,708 for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the reinstallation of the temporary art display of 1,400 international flags to honor the victims of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and hostages who have been murdered. Staff also seeks direction from City Council on the name of the temporary memorial street signage and the locations adjacent to the flag display where they should be installed.
INTRODUCTION
This item provides the City Council an opportunity to discuss and provide direction on name of the temporary memorial street signage and the locations adjacent to the flag display memorializing the victims of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
After the events of October 7, the City Council took immediate action to recognize those who were murdered and kidnapped. A shabbat table was placed at the front of City Hall with a place set for each of the hostages who are unable to celebrate shabbat with their family and friends. Flags were placed in Beverly Gardens Park to commemorate those who lost their lives on October 7 - one flag representing the nationality of each individual.
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
The flag display was initially installed January 24, 2024 with a dedication held on January 25, 2024 and removal of the flags on February 26, 2024. The temporary art display was reinstalled on March 9 and removed on April 8 for maintenance, reinstalled again on April 12 and removed on May 8, 2024 prior to the Spring Art Show.
DISCUSSION
After the events of October 7, the City Council took immediate action to recognize those who were murdered and kidnapped. At the June 27, 2024, City Council discussed ways to permanently memorialize the victims of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Several ideas have been shared for ways to recognize what occurred.
Following a robust discussion by the City Council and overwhelming support from the public, it was decided to reinstall the 1,400 flags from September 30 to October 14, 2024. City Council also requested to install additional flags to memorialize the hostages murdered since the attack. Staff is currently working with the Israeli Consulate to determine the exact number and nationalities of the hostages who have been killed.
The cost associated with the reinstallation, security, and maintenance of the flag display is approximately, $74,708 which includes a 10% contingency for replacement flags and poles, if necessary.
Additionally, City Council request a temporary honorary designation of a city street. It was discussed to place the signage adjacent to the temporary art display in Beverly Gardens Park until the permanent memorial is constructed.
It has been the recommendation of the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) to increase the level of security from one security officer 24 hours a day to two security officers 24 hours a day to account for the issues that were encountered during the previous installations. With the density of the flags making the visibility of the entire installation a challenge, it is recommended to provide two security officers to allow coverage on both ends.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funding being requested provides for the installation and removal of flags from September 30 to October 14, 2024 as well as the replacement of faded and damaged flags and weathered wooden dowels. Additionally, the funding will also provide street signage and two security officers 24 hours a day for the duration of the flag display at the recommendation of Beverly Hills Police Department.
On June 18, 2024, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital and Operating Budgets, which indicated potential financial challenges on the horizon, including forecasted deficits within the next five years. The forecasted surplus for Fiscal Item Amount Account
Flags $ 19,400 00106710-731220
Security $ 47,616 00102301-731230-PATRL
Street Signage $ 900 10106910 -721200
10% Contingency $ 6,792 00106710-731220
Total $ 74,708
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
Year 2024-25 is due to scheduled one-time public benefit contributions of $12.5 million less the utilization of $2.0 million toward the operating deficit.
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Projected Surplus (from Adopted Budget) $ 10,501,095 Less Approved and Proposed Mid-Year Appropriations as of 8/20/24 (74,708) Net Impact on General Fund Unassigned Reserves $ 10,426,387 Date Agenda Item
Council MidYear
Appropriations
8/20/2024 Flag Reinstallation (pending) $ 74,708
$ 74,708
General Fund Summary
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Appropriations Approved by Council Jeff S. Muir
Director of Finance
Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By Approved By
Stephanie Harris,
Director of Community Services
Approved By
Memorial Street Signs Design Options and Proposed Locations Figure 1. Examples of Honorary Street Name Designation Below Official Street Name Figure 2. Proposed Sign Locations
Denotes location of signs