1 TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Lina Hernandez, Senior Management Analyst
MEETING DATE: July 18, 2023
SUBJECT: Discussion and Consideration of the Possible Relocation and Improvements to the Circle of Honor program and Consideration of the nomination of Ben Traina
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss and provide direction regarding options for relocation and improvements to the Circle of Honor monument and discuss and consider the nomination of Ben Traina for the Circle of Honor.
BACKGROUND
The City Council approved the Circle of Honor policy (attached to this staff report) on July 7, 2008, as an alternative to naming city facilities or other city assets after prominent Lomitians who have made significant contributions to the community. On October 6, 2008, the City Council approved the location and inscription of the Circle of Honor plaque that summarizes the purpose and objective of the action.
The City Council approved the first name plaque within the Circle of Honor in 2009 for Jim Cole, former Councilmember and local Lomita historian and a second plaque in 2017 for Margaret Estrada, former Councilmember and Mayor, and community advocate.
The City Council approved a memorial in honor of the late Tim King adjacent to the Circle of Honor on June 20, 2011.
At its meeting of May 2, 2023, the City Council approved the inclusion of Ken Blackwood in the Lomita Circle of Honor for his significant local civic achievements and outstanding service to the city. At the same meeting, the City Council directed staff to return with a discussion item about the location and aesthetics of the plaques within the Circle of Honor.
Item No. SCH 8c
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
2 On June 15, 2023, the city received a new nomination to recognize Ben Traina in the Lomita Circle of Honor.
DISCUSSION
Nomination of Ben Traina to the Circle of Honor
The criteria and nomination process for induction into the Circle of Honor set in 2008 are as follows:
• Prominent community figures who have displayed significant local civic achievement, historical importance and/or outstanding City service to the City of Lomita.
• Any Lomita resident may petition for the induction of another Lomita resident into the Circle of Honor. The petition shall contain a minimum of 20 Lomita residents in support of the nomination.
• A majority vote of the City Council is required for approval.
As stated in the nomination papers, among Mr. Traina’s accomplishments include:
• Serving on the City Council for eight (8) years including service as Mayor on two occasions.
• Increasing openness and transparency by initiating the annual “State of the City” address in 1999, and televising City Council Meetings,
• Bringing back the Founders Day fireworks show, establishing the Jim Thorpe 5K, helping keep youth activity fees low for Lomita residents, and securing a lease for the Lomita Little League to use the Navy fields. • Securing funding, implementing spending limits, negotiated advantageous terms for city contracts to contain costs.
• Serving on the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, the Southern California Joint Powers Authority, and LA County Sanitation District.
Additional information regarding Mr. Traina’s nomination is attached to this staff report.
Current Location and Name Plaques in the Circle of Honor The Circle of Honor is currently located in front of City Hall in a square-shaped area shared with a time capsule that was sealed and dedicated on July 5, 1976. The time capsule is scheduled to be unearthed on July 4, 2026. At this time, the size of the capsule is unknown and whether its removal could potentially damage the plaques currently located within the Circle of Honor location. Another consideration about the current location of the Circle of Honor is that the city may be required to remove the 3 turf in the future and the landscape may be reworked to address drought conditions/water conservation.
The following images show the current location of the Circle of Honor with the two plaques in the ground and the time capsule in the bottom right, and the memorial for Tim King just south of that location.
Possible Options for Consideration
In an effort to highlight the existing and potentially new name plaques and the intended recognitions, a curved wall could be installed at the current location behind the Circle of Honor plaque, on the east side of the area. The curved wall would match the circle theme and the current plaques from the ground could potentially be reused and relocated on the wall. This option would make the Circle of Honor highly visible.
The Tim King memorial would not be impacted.
4 A second outdoor option could be to use the existing circular benches around the civic center stage area to the west of the existing Circle of Honor location. The current plaques could potentially be reused and relocated along the benches that form the circle around the stage area.
The Tim King memorial would not be impacted.
A different concept would be the use of wall art. This option could work indoors or outdoors. It is unlikely that the current name plaques could be reused. The Tim King memorial could remain at its current location. Additional rings could be added to the Circle of Honor to include additional recipients.
Based on City Council’s direction, design and related costs could be brought back for consideration and the current policy would be updated for Council approval.
Staff has been in contact with petitioner Margaret Estrada regarding the approved plaque for Ken Blackwood and the nomination for Ben Traina and she has agreed to 5 wait on the outcome of today’s meeting before proceeding with the purchase of a name plaque(s).
OPTIONS:
1. Give staff further direction.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion. Currently, the cost of the plaque and installation within the Circle of Honor will be borne by the petitioner. Should the City Council consider changes to the plaques and/or location, there could be material, installation, and labor costs dependent upon the direction provided.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Circle of Honor Policy
2. Nomination Form and Related Documentation
Reviewed by: Approved by:
__________________________
Gary Y. Sugano Ryan Smoot
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
__________________________
Lina Hernandez
Senior Management Analyst
Policy adopted July 7, 2008
POLICY FOR INDUCTION INTO THE
LOMITA CIRCLE OF HONOR
Purpose
The Circle of Honor is proposed to serve as an alternative to the practice of naming facilities or city assets after people. The City of Lomita has a limited number of city-owned facilities, and this method of recognition is a worthwhile medium to spotlight the work of people from the community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make Lomita a great place to live, work, and play.
Location
The Circle of Honor will be prominently located in the outdoor rotunda area in front of Lomita City Hall which connects the stage where city events are conducted throughout the year. The recognition will consist of a standardized plaque embedded in the sidewalk that defines the rotunda area.
Nominations
It is hereby established that, in inducting any individuals into the Lomita Circle of Honor, the City Council will provide final approval.
Consideration shall only be given to prominent community figures who have displayed significant local civic achievement, historical importance and/or outstanding City service to the City of Lomita. Said individual(s) shall not hold public office at the time of the naming action.
Any resident may petition for the induction of a resident into the Lomita Hall of Honor. The petition shall contain the names of at least twenty (20) Lomita residents in support of such induction. The petition shall be attached to a City Nomination form that is provided by the City of Lomita. (See attached) Upon receiving said petition, the City Council shall hold a public meeting to consider the request.
All approvals require a majority vote of the City Council.
Recognition Plaque
A standardized plaque for inductees will need to be developed and costs associated with purchase and installation identified for Council consideration and approval. The petitioner (initiator of petition) shall be responsible for all costs associated with the purchase and installation of Recognition Plaque in the Lomita Circle of Honor. An installation fee shall be made payable to the City of Lomita upon approval of entry into the Lomita Circle of Honor and prior to installing plaque.
Attachment No. 1
Attachment No.2