April 14, 2026
Agenda Item No. 10
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
David A. Webb, Public Works Director - 949-644-3311, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Kevin Pekar, Parks and Tree Superintendent - 949-644-3069 [email protected]
TITLE:
Plaque Donation for the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary ABSTRACT:
On March 3, 2026, the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission supported the Newport Beach Foundation’s request to donate and install a plaque at John Wayne Park in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America (America 250) and recommended that the City Council consider approval of the request.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and Approve the Donation Agreement for the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary Plaque with the Newport Beach Foundation for their payment to the City of Newport Beach to fabricate, install and maintain the plaque, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Donation Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
On March 3, 2026, the Newport Beach Foundation presented a plaque donation and placement request to the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission. The proposed location at John Wayne Park is directly adjacent to a plaque commemorating the Bicentennial of the United States of America. John Wayne Park also features other patriotic plaques set within the pathway between Cliff Drive and the City of Newport Beach’s landmark Coral Tree.
The bronze plaque would be fabricated by a City of Newport Beach on-call contractor. The approximate value of the plaque, together with staff time required to construct the pedestal and install it on site, as well as 50% of the required 10-year maintenance cost pursuant to City Council Policy B-17, Parks, Facilities and Recreation Program Donations, is $5,000. The Newport Beach Foundation will fully fund the project.
The proposed inscription on the America 250 plaque reads:
“Dedicated by The Newport Beach Foundation to honor the enduring spirit of liberty, the courageous patriots who founded this nation, and the generations of Americans who have fought, served, and sacrificed to defend and sustain its promise of freedom and opportunity for 250 years.” FISCAL IMPACT:
The Newport Beach Foundation will provide a $5,000 donation to the City for the procurement of the plaque, the installation of the concrete pedestal, and 50% of the 10-year maintenance cost as required by City Council Policy B-17. The City’s share of the maintenance costs will be expensed to the Parks – Maintenance and Repair account in the Municipal Operations Department, 0108531-851037. The current adopted budget includes sufficient funding for this expense.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – Donation Agreement with the Newport Beach Foundation Plaque Donation for the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary April 14, 2026
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