HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13d - Jim Barrows Day (Community Clean-up)Jim Barrows – Community Clean-up Day
July 6, 2021
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DATE: July 6, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Michael Bruckner, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: REPORT, DISCUSSION, AND DIRECTION REGARDING DESIGNATING
THE FIRST SATURDAY IN NOVEMBER OF EACH YEAR AS JIM
BARROWS DAY
Recommendation: Provide Direction
SUMMARY
At the June 15, 2021, City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Cheng requested that an
item be placed on a future City Council Meeting agenda to discuss designating the first
Saturday in November of each year as Jim Barrows Day, and for the City to host a
citywide clean-up event or similar community event in honor of Mr. Barrow’s service to
Arcadia. Mayor Tay and Council Member Verlato concurred with this request. This
agenda item will allow for discussion and direction on the subject.
DISCUSSION
Jim Barrows served as Arcadia’s City Clerk from 2004 through 2012. Equally as
important, for decades he was a very active volunteer in Arcadia. He attended many
Arcadia events and selflessly devoted his time and talents to help others. To
commemorate Jim Barrows and his dedication to the City, Mayor Pro Tem Cheng has
proposed a community clean-up event or community service event, designated as Jim
Barrow’s Day, to take place each year, on the first Saturday in November. The community
event will bring volunteers together to clean, help repair, improve or enhance the City of
Arcadia. The event can involve all types of public spaces like parks, schoolyards,
sidewalks, playing fields, and even parking lots. Events can include restoring a garden,
picking up trash, painting over graffiti, or simply improving the appearance of an area that
has been neglected.
In many cities, clean-up days or community service events, are usually sponsored by a
specific city department, like Public Works, or are the work of a city commission, like the
Arcadia Beautiful Commission. In prior years, the Arcadia Beautiful Commission has
expressed interest in hosting a community clean-up day event; however, the Commission
Jim Barrows – Community Clean-up Day
July 6, 2021
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does not have the funding for this undertaking. It is recommended that the Arcadia
Beautiful Commission be charged with the planning and execution of this event to help
keep Arcadia beautiful.
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
There is no funding in the Fiscal 2021-22 operating budget for this activity and a
supplement budget appropriation would be required. The costs to put on a community
clean-up event or similar event is likely to include some staff overtime and materials like
trash bags, trash pickers, rubber gloves, paint, brushes, cleaners or other equipment
depending on the site and needed activity. It is estimated that the event would cost $2,500
annually.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council provide direction regarding designating the first
Saturday in November of each year, as Jim Barrows Day.