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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12b - Commemorative Naming of a City Facility Mary Hansen DATE: September 20, 2022 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager By: Dr. Jennifer Brutus, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR COMMEMORATIVE NAMING OF A CITY FACILITY IN HONOR OF MARY HANSEN Recommendation: Provide Direction SUMMARY Public facilities are often dedicated in recognition of prominent members of a community whose generosity, contributions, or achievements created a permanent and lasting impact on the community. To that end, the City has a process to acknowledge and memorialize individuals that have advanced the value and heritage of Arcadia by naming a public facility in their honor (see attached City Administrative Policy). Mayor Tom Beck has submitted the attached request for the commemorative naming of the Arcadia Public Library’s waterwise garden space in honor of Mary (Elizabeth Barefoot) Hansen for discussion and consideration. Should the City Council choose to pursue this honor, it is recommended that the garden be formally named the “Mary Hansen Library Garden”. It is recommended that the City Council provide direction. BACKGROUND Mary Hansen passed away on July 18, 2022, and was a well-regarded volunteer who dedicated over 50 years to serving the City of Arcadia, calling herself a full-time “Professional Volunteer”. Her volunteerism stretched across many capacities ranging from Board Member to President for many local organizations including the Arcadia Beautiful Commission, Methodist Hospital, American Heart Association, Centennial Celebration, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Meals on Wheels at the Red Cross, Arcadia Woman’s Club, American Cancer Society, Breeder’s Cup, Arcadia Tournament of Roses, ALTRUSA, Arcadia Republican Women, Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Arcadia Historical Society, and Arcadia Coordinating Council. In addition to her countless hours volunteering, she made generous donations to the Arcadia Rotary Request for Naming a Facility – Mary Hansen September 20, 2022 Page 2 of 2 Veterans Memorial, Arcadia Police Foundation to purchase K-9 Officer Zoli, as well as to the Chamber of Commerce’s Arcadia Strong fund. DISCUSSION The Arcadia Public Library’s waterwise garden space along the front entrance has not been named in honor of any community member. The commemorative naming of this space in honor of Mary Hansen would be recognized through a plaque, which would be displayed in the garden area. The City may also hold a dedication and formal ribbon cutting ceremony to recognize this commemoration. The Library’s waterwise garden area is an attractive community space. While it was planted in the past two years with the assistance of a grant from the City’s water district, some minor enhancements such as re-planting struggling varietals and the addition of mulch would be necessary to make it worthy of a commemorative naming event. This work could be accomplished within 30 days and a simple dedication event could be planned by the first week of December 2022 if the City Council wishes to proceed quickly. FISCAL IMPACT The cost of naming the Library’s garden and performing the necessary enhancements is estimated at $1,500, which includes ordering a new plaque and gardening supplies. Funds for this project can be absorbed within the existing Fiscal Year 2022-23 Operating Budget to accomplish this effort this fall. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council provide direction regarding the request for commemorative naming of the Arcadia Public Library’s Garden to the “Mary Hansen Library Garden”. Attachments: Request for Commemorative Naming of a City Facility Naming of City Facilities Policy Request for Commemorative Naming of City Facility - Mary Hansen Mary (Elizabeth Barefoot) Hansen of Arcadia, California passed away on Monday, July 18, 2022, at 97 years of age. Mary was born in Dayton, Ohio, on January 6, 1925. She was a retired bank officer and spent her retired years as a full time "Professional Volunteer." She loved children and was "Auntie Mary" to many. Mary was honored as the City of Arcadia’s 2018 Senior of The Year for her outstanding volunteer work for almost 50 years. She volunteered in many capacities ranging from board member to President for many local organizations including the Arcadia Beautiful Commission, Methodist Hospital, American Heart Association, Centennial Celebration, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Meals on Wheels at the Red Cross, Women’s Club, American Cancer Society, Breeder’s Cup, Arcadia Tournament of Roses, ALTRUSA, Arcadia Republican Women, Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Arcadia Historical Society, and Arcadia Coordinating Council. She was honored as the 1994 Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and was recognized as one of their Lifetime Ambassadors. Mary not only volunteered countless hours to the Arcadia Community, but she also made generous contributions to the Arcadia Rotary Veterans Memorial, to the Arcadia Police foundation to purchase K-9 Officer Zoli, as well as to the Chamber of Commerce’s Arcadia Strong fund. Mary had four brothers: Walter, Robert, Dale and Harold Barefoot, who preceded her in death. She also had many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, along with many friends. Mary was laid to rest at Dayton Memorial Park in Dayton, Ohio and her memorial service was held on August 20 at Our Savior Lutheran Church here in Arcadia. It is my honor to recommend naming the Arcadia Public Library’s Garden in memory of Mary Hansen.