Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: DAISY PEREZ, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
PREPARED BY: RACHEL CASTANON, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
SUBJECT: TREE, KIOSK AND BENCH DONATION PROGRAM EXPANSION
SUMMARY
The Parks and Recreation Department proposes expanding the City Memorial Tree, Kiosk and Bench Donation Program so residents, community members, businesses, organizations and other supporters may donate trees, benches and kiosks for purposes beyond memorialization while retaining the established standards.
PROPOSED MOTION
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-XXX.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A POLICY ALLOWING TREE, KIOSK AND BENCH DONATIONS IN CITY PARKS.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Do not approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Tree, Kiosk and Bench Donation program expansion would have no General Fund impact. Private donations would fund amenity purchase, installation, administration, maintenance and replacement costs, consistent with the existing program. The resolution directs staff to deposit maintenance and replacement fees into a restricted donation account with separate review and modification. Staff would periodically review the fee schedule to ensure donations cto recover full program costs.
DISCUSSION
The Parks and Recreation Department facilitates privately funded park amenity installation through the Memorial Tree, Kiosk and Bench Donation Program. Resolution No. 10-37, adopted May 4, 2010, established a uniform policy for memorial donations in City parks to ensure compatibility with park aesthetics and programming.
The Parks and Recreation Department receives donation requests and reviews under City standards governing the type, style, design and placement of trees, benches, kiosks and plaques. Standards consider size, usage, vandalism, traffic, security, view obstructions, location and style compatibility. Approved donations become City property. The City maintains accepted amenities, subject to program replacement limitations, and reserves the right to remove or relocate an amenity when necessary to accommodate future park improvements.
The existing policy requires private funds to pay all costs associated with the donation, including purchase, installation, administration, maintenance and replacement. This cost-recovery structure allows community-supported park enhancements without creating an unfunded maintenance obligation. Staff would continue to evaluate proposed donation locations and amenity types against park plans, operational needs, accessibility, safety, maintenance requirements and compatibility with surrounding park improvements. A donation would not create a right to a particular location or amenity type.
Staff proposes using the existing framework to accommodate broader community donations, including tree donations that may serve the same community-greening purpose contemplated by an adopt-a-tree concept. The expansion would allow donations recognizing a person, group, organization, event, community benefit or general support for Fullerton parks, while preserving City authority to determine whether, what and to install an amenity. The program should continue to use the established application and review process to coordinate placement and long-term maintenance with City park operations.
City Council Resolution No. 10-37 established the current Memorial Tree, Kiosk and Bench Donation Program, limited to memorial donations. The resolution establishes the policy framework for accepting these donations, including:
amenity type, design and placement standards
City ownership and maintenance responsibilities
Cost recovery associated with purchase, installation, administration, maintenance and replacement.
The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended expanding the Memorial Tree, Kiosk and Bench Donation Program and presenting a new resolution to City Council for consideration at the September 14, 2026 meeting. The updated resolution authorizes the City to accept donations for trees, benches and kiosks for both memorial and general community or park enhancement purposes, while retaining the core standards and protections of the existing program. The resolution also proposes a tree donation option with a plaque, as well as bench and kiosk donation options without plaques. These would include City review of proposed amenities and locations, consistency with park design and operational needs, City ownership of accepted donations, maintenance and replacement provisions, the ability to relocate amenities when necessary and applicable program cost recovery.
Staff would implement the expanded program, if approved, through updated program guidelines, application materials, approved amenity standards and applicable fees. This would allow City Council to establish overall policy and authority for the expanded program and establish administrative details to operate the program and update through City program guidelines and procedures.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 – Tree, Kiosk, and Bench Donation Policy
cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Tree, Kiosk and Bench Donation Program Expansion
October 6, 2026 - Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 2