CC - Item 5A - Establishment of a Public Art Ad Hoc Committee for a Mural at Savannah Pioneer CemeteryROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: OCTOBER 9, 2012
SUBJECT: ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC ART AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR A
MURAL AT SAVANNAH PIONEER CEMETERY
SUMMARY
The City's Strategic Plan for 2012 and 2013 includes a strategy to: Assist in the
Preservation and Improvement of Historical, Cultural, and Natural Resources. The City
Council will consider the establishment of a five - member Public Art Ad Hoc Committee
with the objective of creating a mural at the historic Savannah Pioneer Cemetery. The
proposed ad hoc committee would be comprised of a City Council Member, a City staff
member, one representative each from the El Monte Cemetery Association and the
Rosemead Moose Lodge, and a representative of the public at- large.
Recommendation: That the Mayor appoint, subject to confirmation by the City Council,
a member of the City Council, a City staff member and a member of the public at -large
to serve on a five - member Public Art Ad Hoc Committee along with a representative to
be appointed by the El Monte Cemetery Association and by the Rosemead Moose
Lodge.
BACKGROUND
The Savannah Memorial Park Cemetery, located on 4.11 acres at 9263 Valley Blvd.,
was founded 162 years ago in 1850. The cemetery is the burial place of many early
American pioneers and residents of the Rosemead and El Monte communities,
including veterans of the War of 1812 and the Civil War. On March 6, 2012, the El
Monte Cemetery Association, which owns and operates the Savannah Memorial Park
Cemetery, successfully obtained State Historical Landmark status for the site. Also, the
City of Rosemead and the Cemetery Association have entered into a Memorandum of
Understanding with the objective of preserving the historic legacy of the early pioneers
who settled in the Rosemead area and maintaining the aesthetics and functionality of
the pioneer cemetery.
The idea of painting a mural on the backside of the Moose Lodge building immediately
adjacent to the cemetery has been advanced by members of the Cemetery Association.
The wall has approximately 75' of "canvas space" available for the painting of a mural
ITEM NO$
City Council Meeting
February 9, 2009
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depicting the historical significance of the cemetery to the community. Initial
discussions with representatives of the Moose Lodge revealed an interest and
willingness to participate in the project.
To initiate and implement this idea, the formation of a five - member ad hoc committee is
envisioned in the spirit of the existing Memorandum of Understanding for cooperative
efforts between the City and the Cemetery Association. The five - member ad hoc
committee would be comprised of a member of the City Council, a City staff member, a
member appointed by the Cemetery Association, a member appointed by the Moose
Lodge, and a citizen at -large to be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City
Council. The Ad Hoc Committee would be charged with recommending an artistic
design for the mural consistent with the cemetery's historical significance, development
of the project budget, and fundraising efforts.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There are no funds budgeted for this project and no direct City expenditures are
envisioned. Consistent with the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the
City and the Cemetery Association, it is likely that "in- kind" contributions by the City
would be made in the form of work performed by in -force City employees in a case -by-
case manner within existing budget parameters as determined by the City Manager. It
is also envisioned that City staff will help organize and participate in fundraising efforts
relative to this project similar to the efforts that were required a few years ago to create
the 9/11 Memorial public art project now on display at the Civic Center.