10D
Date: December 2, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
By: Jin Chun, Public Engagement Manager | [email protected] Subject: City Manager – Accept and File the Conceptual Report and Discuss and Provide Direction on Citywide Commemorative Programming. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1. Accept and file the conceptual report “Torrance Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday”; and
2. Discuss and provide direction on proposed programming, legacy projects, and community engagement initiative to commemorate the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, a milestone known as the Semiquincentennial. In recognition of this historic event, staff is providing several recommendations on how the City of Torrance can join communities across the nation in celebrating the country’s 250th birthday with civic pride.
To commemorate this occasion, staff developed a conceptual plan titled “Torrance Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday.” The proposed approach integrates the anniversary theme into existing City events and programs to maximize community engagement and cost efficiency, while highlighting Torrance’s unique role in American culture, innovation, and service.
PROPOSED FRAMEWORK:
1. Leveraging Existing Events: Citywide celebrations will be integrated into Torrance’s established calendar of community events throughout 2026, including:
January 13, 2026: Proclamation presented at the first City Council Meeting of 2026. February-March 2026: Coinciding with President Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12, 2026) and Presidents’ Day (February 16, 2026), alongside a commemorative 250th Anniversary Banner, Presidential banners will be hung along Torrance Boulevard between Maple Avenue and just east of Hawthorne Boulevard to commemorate each of the 47 presidencies. Projected Cost for this concept is estimated to be $30,835.63.
April 2026: Torrance Hometown Heroes Banners will commence installation. 1 City Council
December 2, 2025
May 15–17, 2026: Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration incorporating America’s 250th branding.
May 25, 2026: Memorial Day Reading of the Torrance Veterans Memorial Wall names.
June–August 2026: Summer Concert Series branded with 250th birthday visuals, with one concert scheduled to feature patriotic music.
July 4, 2026: Expanded Independence Day Celebration and fireworks, larger food truck options, additional portable restrooms, games, community engagement footprint.
July 16, 2026: Rock Around the Block Celebration to embrace 250th birthday. September 6, 2026: Coastal Clean Day, coinciding with the 250th day of the year, symbolizing Torrance’s commitment to sustainability for the next 250 years. November 2026: Veterans Appreciation Program: Year-end event tying into the 250th celebration theme.
December 2026: Torrance Civic Chorale may consider a patriotic holiday program.
2. Visual Support & Commemorative Branding
Create logo design for visual support to be used on all marketing materials. Commemorative Presidential Banners from Feb-April.
Print stickers, bookmarkers, pencils, and commemorative coins to be handed out at the various events. Projected Cost for materials is estimated to be $6,000. Use digital marquee signage to share messaging throughout the year.
3. Educational and Interpretive Program Concepts
Collaborate with Torrance Historical Society, Torrance Public Library, Western Museum of Flight for exhibitions on American innovation and local history. Libraries would designate patriotic shelf of books, biographies, historic, fiction for the month of July at all branches.
4. Digital Media Campaign
City Communications team to produce storytelling features on various communications channels and coverage of all events planned for the Semiquincentennial.
5. Civic Engagement
Launch the Torrance 250 Challenge, encouraging residents to give back through service like pledging to volunteer 250 minutes to a community cause, pick up 250 pieces of trash, or perform 250 acts of kindness throughout the year. Social media participation by using #Torrance250Challenge.
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Manager is requesting the City Council accept and file the conceptual report “Torrance Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday”; and discuss and provide direction to begin implementing the Council’s vision of celebrating the Semiquincentennial. 2 City Council
December 2, 2025
ATTACHMENTS
1. Working Conceptual Design 1
2. Working Conceptual Design 2
3. Cost Estimate for Banners
3 4
ATTACHMENT 1
5 ATTACHMENT 2
Requested By: Jin Chun
Email: [email protected]
Work Phone: (310) 618-5762
Salesperson: Santoie Croxford
Email: [email protected]
PRODUCTS
QTY
UNIT PRICE
UNIT PRICE
TOTALS
1 250TH ANNIVERSARY BANNERS | 36X92
94 $150.00
$150.00
$14,100.00
DOUBLE SIGNED; BLOCKOUT 18OZ; POLE POCKET TOP / BOTTOM; CITY TO PROVIDE PRINT READY ARTWORK
FOR BANNERS
2 250TH ANNIVERSARY BANNER INSTALLATION | DOUBLE
BANNERS PER POLE
1 $1,692.00
$1,692.00
$1,692.00
Installation of 25OTH Anniversary banners and banner hardware on light poles using supplied double banner hardware. Includes chase vehicle with flashing arrow following boom truck, as requested by city.
To be installed on light post between Hawthorne Blvd and Maple on both sides of the street. Total of 47 light post with double hardware and 94 banners.
3 250TH ANNIVERSARY BANNER REMOVAL | DOUBLE
BANNERS PER POLE
1 $1,598.00
$1,598.00
$1,598.00
Removal of Armed Forces Day banners and double banner hardware, from light poles. Includes chase vehicle with flashing arrow following boom truck, as requested by city.
Total of 47 light post with double hardware and 94 banners 4 BANDING STRAPS
1 $3,088.00
$3,088.00
$3,088.00
Stainless steel bands with quick release for easy installation and removal. Bands required for each double sided pole banner.\
Double sided banner hardware to be supplied by City of Torrance 5 DOUBLE BANNER BRACKET POLE SETS
47 $232.17
$232.17
$10,912.06
Cast aluminum brackets in combination with 3/4" fiberglass arms. The arms are permanently Epoxy glued in Bill To:
CITY OF TORRANCE
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
US
Pickup At:
CITY OF TORRANCE
John Newman
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
US
DESCRIPTION: 250TH ANNIVERSARY BANNERS
ESTIMATE
E094-121257
PO Number:
Payment Terms: Net 30
www.fastsigns.com/94
1103 Sartori Ave
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 542-3636
Generated On: 11/19/2025 1:18 PM
6 ATTACHMENT 3
the aluminum brackets to help prevent wearing on the fiberglass rod. Double pole consist of 4 fiberglass poles and caps and 2 aluminum brackets. All banner brackets are made to order.
Base Subtotal:
$31,390.06
Discount:
($3,088.00)
Subtotal:
$28,302.06
Taxes:
$2,533.57
Grand Total:
$30,835.63
Unless other terms are agreed upon, a deposit equal to 50% of the total is required to begin an order and complete payment due when the project is completed. Orders under $300 will require payment in full when the order is placed. Credit terms may be extended after completing and submitting a credit application.
Projects requiring a proof, one (1) proof with one (1) round of edits will be supplied at the quoted price. All changes will be billed separately.
Estimates are good for 5 days only.
Unless specifically noted on the estimate/invoice, customer is responsible for all permits that may be required by the state, county or city where the sign will be located. Customer is responsible for insuring that all signage ordered meets all state, county, city, and community association ordinances. FASTSIGNS will not be responsible for any order placed that does not meet all ordinances.
Signature:
Date:
Generated On: 11/19/2025 1:18 PM
Thank you for your business!
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