CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Justin J. Martin, Assistant City Manager
DATE: November 19, 2024
SUBJECT: Adoption of the 1st Marines Regimental Headquarters Unit, Replacing the Redesignated 1st Battalion, 4*h Marines Unit
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Formally adopt the 1s* Marines Regimental Headquarters Unit as a City Council adoptive military unit, replacing the recently redesignated 1st Battalion, 4t Marines Unit; and,
2. Authorize consideration of additional support for the three remaining units (1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion, & 3rd Battalion, of the 1s' Marine Regiment).
BACKGROUND
The City of Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee was established in 2007 to sustain and enhance adoptive relationships between the City of Laguna Niguel and the City's adoptive military units. Since the creation of the Military Support Committee, several military units have been adopted by the City Council. From time to time, as a military unit becomes decommissioned or redesignated, the City Council has taken action to adopt a new military unit.
One of the City Council's current adoptive Military Units, the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines Regiment, is scheduled to be redesignated in January 2025 and will be based at a location overseas. The 1st Battalion 4'h Marines has been an adopted unit since 2008.
ANALYSIS
With the imminent redesignation of the 1st Battalion, 4'h Marines Regiment, the command of the 1st Marines Regimental Headquarters has recommended their adoption, as they will continue to be based at Camp Pendleton. The unit consists of approximately 350 marines and sailors, as well as spouses, and roughly 110 children. The three Battalions of the 1st Marine Regiment are partially supported by other cities/organizations but not at the level that Laguna Niguel supported the 1-4 Marines Unit. 2 During their October 21, 2024, meeting, the Military Support Committee heard a brief presentation from the Headquarters and Regimental personnel and discussed and considered adoption of the new unit. After discussion, the Military Support Committee unanimously approved to recommend that the City Council adopt the 1st Marines Regimental Headquarters Unit, replacing the 1s' Battalion, 4* Marines.
Additionally, the Military Support Committee also unanimously approved to recommend that the City Council authorize the Committee to consider requests to provide support for other 1st Regiment combined family events, Military Ball support (rank E-5 and below tickets only), and special need support. Having the ability to consider and potentially fund such additional requests will better serve the entire 1st Regiment members and their families.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City Council may elect to make no changes to the existing City Council adoptive military units; however, with the redesignation of the 1st Battalion, 4* Marines Unit, only two adoptive units will remain (USS Stockdale, &, 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment), lessening the reach and impact of the City's Military Support Committee to the adoptive military units and their families.
FISCAL REVIEW
Adequate funding for the City Council's adoptive military units is provided through the annual fundraising efforts of the Military Support Committee, and through an annual allocation of $4,000 in the adopted annual budget.
LEGAL REVIEW
No legal review is required for this item.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Formally adopt the 1s1 Marines Regimental Headquarters Unit as a City Council adoptive military unit, replacing the recently redesignated 1st Battalion, 4'h Marines Unit; and,
2. Authorize consideration of additional support for the three remaining units (1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion, & 3rd Battalion, of the 1st Marine Regiment).
Tamara S. Letourneau
City Manager