Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11b - Donation for Memorial Bench in Memory of Mr. Ji DATE: November 17, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Darlene Bradley, Director Library & Museum Services SUBJECT: DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,000 TO THE ARCADIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PURCHASE OF A MEMORIAL BENCH AND REFURBISHMENT OF THE CHILDREN’S PRESCHOOL COMPUTER AREA IN MEMORY OF MR. JI Recommendation: Accept SUMMARY The Ji family would like to donate funds to the Arcadia Public Library to purchase a memorial bench in memory of Mr. Ji. They would also like a small corner in the Children’s Room to be refurbished with these funds and named in memory of Mr. Ji. It is recommended that the City Council accept this donation. DISCUSSION The Library has historically received small monetary gifts to honor or remember a family member or close friend. The Ji family has asked that their monetary gift go to the purchase of a memorial bench with a plaque in memory of Mr. Xiaonan Ji, who was a frequent visitor to the Library. The bench will be placed in the walkway near the front entrance of the Library. In addition, the preschool computer area is in need of new laminate and new chairs. This donation would provide enough funds to refurbish this area in Mr. Ji’s memory. The family chose to directly donate this monetary gift through the Library because of the Library’s special memorial/honorarium gift donation program. This allows the money to be directly spent, as the family wishes, on a memorial bench, with a special memorial plaque placed on the bench and the refurbishment of a much-needed preschool computer area. By accepting and approving of this $4,000 donation, this money can be used to purchase the bench and plaque as well as refresh the preschool computer area. This donation helps the Arcadia Public Library and the City of Arcadia provide a nice outdoor Donation of $4,000 for a memorial bench and refurbishment of preschool computer area at the Arcadia Public Library in memory of Mr. Ji November 17, 2020 Page 2 of 2 bench and preschool computer space for the community of Arcadia above and beyond the current capacity of the City’s General Fund. It also provides a nice place for the family and friends to remember their loved one when they visit the Library. All gifts $1,000 or more are subject to approval by the City Council pursuant to City Charter Section 809(d). ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT The acceptance and approval of the $4,000 donation would be a positive fiscal impact for the Library and the City. It will provide additional revenue to specifically purchase a new outdoor bench and to refurbish a small area in the Children’s Room at the Library. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended the City Council accept a donation in the amount of $4,000 to the Arcadia Public Library for the purchase of a memorial bench and refurbishment of the children’s preschool computer area in memory of Mr. Ji.