September 17, 2024
TO: City Council
REQUESTED BY: Robert Johnson, City Manager
APPROVED BY: Robert A. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Reimbursement for S Mountain Repainting
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a reimbursement of $5,000 to the Ward Family for repainting the S on North Mountain.
DISCUSSION:
The City has long contemplated ways to support the increased illumination of the S on North Mountain. This year, Mayor Ayala and the City Manager reached out to investigate some ways that the City could partner with the Ward Family to insure that the S on North Mountain continues to be a local landmark. Furthermore, the Mayor and the City Manager have met with the Ward Family and physically toured the S on North Mountain to ascertain and develop ways to continuously and more efficiently light the S on a year-round basis.
To date, the project has gone through several idea and fact-finding measures, which have produced hurdles and or barriers to the continuous illumination of the S. As an example of what could be done, the Moreno Valley M, which is illuminated year-round, has a dedicated power supply, high powered lighting, multi-colored options, and a software program associated with it that allows for community groups to sponsor a particular day lighted with a particular color. The City of Moreno Valley enjoys either ownership or an encroachment permit for the area and has built security measures that surround and protect the city’s investment of the M on the mountain overseeing the City.
The North Mountain S does not enjoy a power supply, nor does it have a secured location. Solar powered lighting with a backup battery system has been investigated, but without a very expensive cost to secure the location (fencing, camera system, etc.), it is a fiscal barrier to entry to the improvement.
As the story goes, roughly 100 years ago the Boy Scouts climbed up the hill, set up camp, moved and painted rocks into formation, and after a few weeks the S came to life on North Mountain.
Some 40 years ago, the Ward Family took it upon themselves to continue to upkeep the S, painting it from time to time, clearing brush away from it, and of course lighting it annually for the Homecoming Game, all at their own cost. There is a significant cost to the time, energy and talent that the Wards have invested into upkeep of the S for the community. The rough estimate for the purchase of the paint to repaint the area footprint, and perform the work, is $5,000. The work will be completed by the Ward Family.
The S is lit by bouncing light off the white painted rocks by stringing lights around it that are powered by a generator and gas provided by the Ward Family. The lights hit the white painted rocks and light the S on North Mountain. The Ward Family has enjoyed being able to provide this to the community for nearly five decades. The family has needed to hold fund-raisers from time to time to assist with the cost of providing the service to the community.
As most have been able to see, the S has faded over the past few years, and now with the most recent fire on North Mountain it is in definite need of TLC (Tender Loving Care).
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a reimbursement to the Ward Family in the amount of $5,000 for the repainting of the S on North Mountain.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this item will not increase General Fund appropriations, as there is sufficient appropriation available in the Economic Development CIP to absorb the cost.
ATTACHMENTS:
S Mt Repaint Letter