RPVCCA_CC_SR_2014_03_18_L_Wallace_Radio_Ranch_MemorialMEMORANDUM RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
MATT WATERS, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST<lfii2_
MARCH 18, 2014
DON WALLACE RADIO RANCH MEMORIAL PLAQUE
CAROLYNN PETRU, ACTING CITY MANAGE ~
RECOMMENDATION
Grant permission for placement of a Don Wallace memorial plaque to be located within the
landscaped median near the entrance to the Don C. Wallace Radio Ranch Park, subject to the
requirements of City Council Policy No. 37.
BACKGROUND
Don Wallace Museum Treasurer Dale Hanks submitted a letter dated February 11, 2014
requesting City Council approval to place a plaque affixed to a large stone near the entrance
to the City-owned Don C. Wallace Radio Ranch Park (see attached letter). The Wallace
Ranch HOA Board had previously approved the plaque and stone monument (see attached
letter). The plaque, which Mr. Hanks notes is intended "to memorialize these significant
historical activities that went on at what is now the Wallace Ranch," would be located in the
public right of way, in a landscaped median island.
Don Wallace was an influential figure in radio communications, who was able to contact every
country in the world from his 126-acre Wallace Ranch location through the use of amateur
radio technology. Two years after his death in 1987, a 30,000 square foot parcel of Wallace
Ranch, located to the east of the proposed monument location, was designated as a City park.
DISCUSSION
While the proposed plaque and stone are intended to be placed in the public right of way, the
provisions of City Council Policy No. 37 (see attached), which was adopted on January 7,
2003 and later amended on September 15, 2009 and again on December 20, 2011, provide
relevant guidance for the placing monuments or other memorials on City property. The
relevant section, regarding placing a small unobtrusive plaque mounted on a large rock, is
excerpted and discussed below.
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Topic: Wallace Ranch Memorial Request
Date: March 18, 2014
Page 2
Policy No. 37 states that monuments in honor or in memory of persons may be permitted , in
rare cases, on City property with permission of the City Council under the following conditions:
1. The person memorialized is closely associated with the area where the monument will be
located. The person memorialized is known to, and revered, by a significant number of
City residents.
2. The monument design is discreet and unobtrusive and designed to blend into the
surrounding area . A small plaque on a large rock (4 cubic feet) would be appropriate. The
location of the monument will be determined by City staff with approval of the City Council.
3. Costs of design , installation and maintenance of the monument will be determined by the
City and borne by the requester at the discretion of the City. Only City personnel or City
contractors may perform work on City property.
4. The monument is only a marker and is not a place of worship, a cemetery or official
gathering place. Flowers and other memorabilia are not permitted and will be removed by
maintenance personnel.
5. The City is not responsible for damage or deterioration of the monument and may remove
it at any time for any reason with permission of the City Council.
Four monuments were placed on City property prior to the adoption of City Council Policy No.
37 in 2003 . In general, all of the existing memorials : the William Britton Monument at the
Point Vicente Interpretive Center, the Dr. Perry Ehlig Monument at Portuguese Point, the Alan
Lambe Monument at Ladera Linda Community Park , and the Lauren Key Monument at
Inspiration Point, are in conformance with the design guidelines described above.
In considering the current request for a memorial at Wallace Ranch, staff finds that the
proposed design conforms to the guidelines for monuments located on City property that are
outlined in the Policy conditions cited above . In accordance with Condition 1, the proposed
plaque commemorates the life and achievements of Don Wallace, who was a well-known
Peninsula historical figure and is closely associated with the plaque's proposed location . The
proposed plaque's modest dimensions (18 inch by 24 inch), the size of the rock
(approximately 3 x 4 feet), and its proposed location is in accordance with Condition 2's
requirements that a monument be "discreet and unobtrusive and designed to blend into the
surrounding area". Because the monument is located in the public right of way and not on
City property, work will be performed by a State licensed contractor in accordance with the
requirements of a public works encroachment permit , and therefore does not have to be
performed by City personnel or City contractors as stated in Condition 3. All other conditions
listed above are applicable. Public Works staff will inspect the project.
Wallace Museum representatives have already worked closely with Public Works staff
regarding the location and dimensions of the proposed monument and have addressed a
number of issues and potential impacts , including visibility and traffic/pedestrian concerns. A
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Topic: Wallace Ranch Memorial Request
Date: March 18, 2014
Page3
contractor for Wallace Museum plans to submit a Public Works Encroachment Permit if their
proposal is approved.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The cost of installing and maintaining the monument will be borne by the requester .
Approving this proposal will have no discernible financial impact.
Attachments :
Request letter for approval of placement of Don Wallace Ranch Museum Plaque
Wallace Ranch HOA Approval Letter
Site Location Picture
Plaque Wording
City Council Policy No. 37, Naming of Public Facilities and Placing of Monuments and Other
Memorials
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City Council
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd
Don Wallace Museum
5225 Middlecrest Road
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-5031.
February 11, 2014
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
RE: Placement of Don Wallace Museum Plaque I Entrance to the Wallace Ranch
Honorable City Council Members,
This evening on behalf of the Don Wallace Muse um I come before you requesting approval of
the placement of the Don Wallace Museum Plaque at the entrance to the Wallace Ranch.
In 1917, at the age of 19 Don C. Wallace (W6AM) joined the Navy as a telegraph operator. In
1919 Don organized Radio Communications on the USS George Washington for President
Wilson's trip to the Versailles Peace Conference. In 1938 Press Wireless leased 105 Acres
from the Vanderlip family and constructed a Radio Communications Receiving Site in
preparation for World War II. Press Wireless provided worldwide Radio News Dispatches
during the Pacific War. In 194 7 Don Wallace purchased 126 Acres including the entire
Wallace Ranch site. He built an elaborate Rhombic Antenna Farm using over 10 miles of wire
atop 140' wooden poles. He contacted every country in the world from this site using his
Amateur Radio.
Two years after his death in 1987, Rancho Palos Verdes designated a 30,000 square foot
parcel of his original 126 Acres as a City Park.
This plaque is to memorialize these significant historical activities that went on at what is now
the Wallace Ranch.
Very truly yours,
DAkH-~
Dale Hanks
Don Wallace Museum
Treasurer
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February 17, 2014
City Council
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
RE: Don Wallace Museum Foundation plaque at entrance to the Wallace Ranch
The Wallace Ranch HOA board has approved the plaque and stone foundation as detailed in
the attached Don Wallace Museum Foundation formal letter of request to the City Council of
Rancho Palos Verdes. This plaque will be placed near the entrance to Wallace Ranch.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
~~ners Association
Ron Beck
Board President
Scott Management Company
3820 Del Amo Blvd. Suite. 324
Torrance, CA 90503
Phone (310) 370-2696 Fax (310) 370-2364 L-5
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14490 18 x 24 Single line Bronze Color : Dark Oxide Mounting : Studs 5/12/11 L-7
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
NUMBER: 37
DATE ADOPTED/AMENDED: 01/07/03 (amended 9/15/09 and 12/20/11)
SUBJECT: Naming of Public Facilities and Placing of Monuments and Other
Memorials
POLICY:
It shall be the policy of the City Council to name City facilities in the following
manner:
• General
The policy of the City is to name facilities in a manner that will provide an
easy and recognizable reference to the City's residents and visitors.
• Geographic Location
Whenever possible, City facilities will be named for their geographic
location. The geographic location may be based on the identification of
the facility with a specific place, neighborhood, street, topographic or other
natural feature, such as a drainage course, tree or plant species, or
historical precedent.
• Individual/Organizational Recognition
The naming of City facilities in honor of individuals or community
organizations will be a rare event, and will be considered under the
following conditions:
1. The individual, a family or a community organization has made
exceptional contributions to the City, including one or more of the
following: a) financial gifts, b) public service as an elected official, c)
public service as a community volunteer, or d) long term
sponsorship agreements.
2. There should be a well-defined connection between the
contributions of the individual or community organization and the
City facility.
3. The significance of the contribution from the individual/organization
needs to be evaluated in relation to the impact of the City facility.
Individuals and organizations that have made contributions of
regional or community-wide significance may be considered for
naming of facilities that serve the entire City. Individuals and
organizations that have made significant contributions to a
particular area or neighborhood may be considered for the naming
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City Council Policy No. 37 for Naming Public Facilities
Last Amendment: December 20, 2011
Page 2 of 4
of facilities that serve these areas or neighborhoods within the City,
including recreational and other amenities within City parks.
4 . When considering naming a City facility after an individual, a period
of at least three (3) years shall have passed following the death of
such person to allow perspective and an appropriate period of
reflection.
5. Only a current Mayor or City Councilmember may nominate an
individual to have a City facility named in his or her honor, and the
determination will be made by the City Council.
City policy does not preclude additional opportunities for recognition that
may be created in the future. For instance, the Point Vicente Interpretive
Center is planned to include exhibits that may be funded by individual or
corporate donations. Recognition of such donations may include a donor
wall within the Interpretive Center, or recognition of a contributor's
sponsorship of a specific exhibit.
It shall be the policy of the City Council to allow the placing of monuments and
other memorials on City properties under the following guidelines:
• Monuments
Monuments in honor or in memory of persons may be permitted, in
rare cases, on City property with permission of the City Council under
the following conditions:
1 . The person memorialized is closely associated with the area where
the monument will be located. The person memorialized is known
to, and revered, by a significant number of City residents.
2 . The monument design is discreet and unobtrusive and designed to
blend into the surrounding area. A small plaque on a large rock (4
cubic feet) would be appropriate . The location of the monument
will be determined by City staff with approval of the City Council.
3. Costs of design, installation and maintenance of the monument will
be determined by the City and borne by the requester at the
discretion of the City. Only City personnel or City contractors may
perform work on City property.
4. The monument is only a marker and is not a place of worship, a
cemetery or official gathering place. Flowers, and other
memorabilia are not permitted and will be removed by
maintenance personnel.
5. The City is not responsible for damage or deterioration of the
monument and may remove it at any time for any reason with
permission of the City Council.
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City Council Policy No . 37 for Naming Public Facilities
Last Amendment: December 20, 2011
Page 3 of 4
• Benches or Trees
Benches or trees in honor or in memory of deceased persons may be
placed in City parks, or other City spaces, at the discretion of the City
Manager under the following conditions:
1. The bench design, or tree species, will be determined by the City
and the location of the bench or tree will be selected by the City.
2. A relatively small plaque (5" x 8"), with inscription or other written
memorial information may be placed on the bench or near the tree .
3. Costs of design, installation and maintenance of the bench or tree
will be determined by the City and borne by the requestor at the
discretion of the City. Only City personnel or City contractors may
perform work on City property.
4. The bench, or tree, is only a marker and is not a place of worship, a
cemetery or official gathering place. Flowers, and other
memorabilia are not permitted and will be removed by maintenance
personnel.
5 . The City is not responsible for damage or deterioration of the bench
or tree and may remove it at any time for any reason without
replacement.
It shall be the policy of the City Council to establish a "Wall of Honor" under the
following guidelines:
• Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor will memorialize the names of distinguished
community leaders who have made substantial contributions to the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes under the following conditions:
1. Persons nominated for the "Wall of Honor" shall have been
dedicated community leaders who have contributed significantly to
the quality of life offered by the City and realization of the vision
expressed in the original General Plan. The honoree must have
had a significant presence in the community throughout a good
portion of their life and should have made notable impacts on
sustaining the quality of life of the residents of Rancho Palos
Verdes.
2 . Persons nominated for inclusion on the "Wall of Honor" will be
deceased and will not have been previously honored by other
actions of the City such as facilities named in their honor or other
memorial .
3. When a person is nominated for inclusion on the "Wall of Honor"
staff should consult with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Library
District, local historical society or other appropriate sources to
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City Council Policy No. 37 for Naming Public Facilities
Last Amendment: December 20, 2011
Page 4 of 4
determine the significance of the individual's contributions to the
community and report these findings to the City Council.
4. Only a current Mayor or City Councilmember may nominate a
citizen to be included on the "Wall of Honor." The determination of
the persons who will be included will be made by the City Council.
5. The location of the "Wall" and the format of names and inscriptions
shall be established by the City Council.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has lacked a uniform policy to assist the City
Council and to guide staff in the naming of City facilities, including parks and
open space areas, buildings, streets and other public amenities . In addition,
there have been no formal policies or guidelines for honoring City leaders, nor for
memorializing persons whose loved ones simply want to provide a remembrance
in the form of a bench or tree.
Although the City has had no formal policy for naming public facilities and sites in
honor of persons, there are precedents. Fred Hesse Park and Community
Center is named for a City founder, Robert Ryan Park is named for a former
Mayor and Councilmember and Vanderlip Park is named for an original
Peninsula landowner. There is a GPS monument at Portuguese Point named in
honor of Dr. Perry Ehlig. There is a trail below Ocean Terrace Drive known as
the McBride Trail in honor of the man who constructed it. There are also three
small memorials, one near Ladera Linda Community Center, one at the Point
Vicente Interpretive Center and the other near Inspiration Point that honor
persons who died prematurely. Finally, there have been numerous requests
from individuals to install park benches or plant trees in memory of deceased
loved ones, many of which have been granted.
The development of a Policy to guide the naming of City facilities, the permitting
of monuments, benches and trees is intended to enable these processes to be
conducted in an equitable, objective and consistent manner. In addition, the
establishment of a "Wall of Honor" will offer a new formal opportunity for honoring
community leaders.
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