March 7, 2023
Public Works
DATE: March 7, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Greg Hardesty, Parks & Landscaping Superintendent
Stephanie Ny, Associate Administrative Analyst
Subject:
Tom Horton Memorial Bench Donation
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to the General Fund.
The value of the memorial bench donation is
approximately $1,500.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Department of Public Works, Parks Maintenance
Division is seeking approval of a memorial bench
donation. The memorial bench will be installed at Barbara and Jay Vincent Park.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE the donation of a memorial bench dedicated
to Tom Horton to be installed at Barbara and Jay Vincent Park – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria/Greg
Hardesty 510-620-6920).
AGENDA
REPORT
March 7, 2023
DISCUSSION:
At the regular meeting of the Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting District Board on January 19, 2023, the Board approved a request to donate a memorial bench dedicated to Tom Horton. At the regular meeting of the Recreation and Parks Commission on February 1, 2023, the Commission also approved a request to donate a memorial bench dedicated to Tom Horton.
The memorial bench will be installed at Barbara and Jay Vincent Park facing the water.
The request must be approved by City Council prior to donation and installation.
Background
Tom Horton was a frequent visitor of Barbara and Jay Vincent Park for over a decade.
He had been kitesurfing at the park before his untimely death due to a heart attack last fall.
Tom was much liked and appreciated by the other kite surfers and regular park visitors.
When he was waiting for the wind to increase, he would often tidy up the park by picking up trash and broken glass, especially around the playground. He also kept the small beaches free of broken glass, plastic, and driftwood so that beach goers, and especially kids, could use the beaches safely. In the spring, he would organize friends and family to help clean up heavier pieces of trash from the park.
Tom’s family and friends wish to donate a memorial bench dedicated to him to honor his love for the park and nature. The bench will be purchased and shipped to the Parks and Landscaping Division. The bench donation is valued at approximately $1,500.
The memorial bench will include a plaque that reads:
In loving memory of
Tom Horton
March 28, 1951 – October 8, 2022
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Application to dedicate a memorial bench to Tom Horton Attachment 2 – Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting District Board approval Attachment 3 – Recreation and Parks Commission approval Attachment 4 – Memorial bench location
Attachment 5 – Bench and plaque photos