MEMORANDUM 05-137

DATE: July 28, 2005

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: Parks and Recreation Commission

Through City Manager Wrede

SUBJECT: Adopt-a-Bench

 The following information was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their July 21, 2005 meeting on Planning Technician Engebretsen’s staff report:

One option that the Commission may wish to consider, is an adopt a bench

program. Basically, for a set fee, someone could purchase a bench and plaque, and the City would place and maintain it. This would allow anyone to purchase a commemorative bench. This was recently done on the Spit at the Seafarer’s Memorial. This is a great opportunity for Homer to have more benches, particularly made of concrete or material that can withstand year round use. In my research, some communities were very formal in the cost of the bench, and how long they would retain a commemorative plaque, while others simply had a set price per bench. Due to shipping costs to get items to Homer, I would suggest the City not have a set price; interested parties can simply work directly with Tammy to arrange the cost and type of bench desired. If the Commission decided to peruse this idea, I would recommend working with Tammy on how to advertise that this service is available.

The following action was taken at the July 21, 2005 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission:

STEWART/HAMIK MOVED THAT THEY LABEL A PROGRAM THAT TAMMY HAGERTY ALREADY HAS IN PLACE AND CALL IT ADOPT-A-BENCH.

VOTE: YES: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Motion carried.