TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to approve the installation of a memorial on the corner of Termino Avenue and Olympic Plaza in honor of Mark Llewellyn Bixby. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Bixby family is well known citywide as one of the founding families of the City of Long Beach. Mark Llewellyn Bixby (June 26, 1966 - March 16, 2011) is a descendant of Jotham Bixby, who helped found Long Beach. Jotham Bixby and family members purchased Rancho Los Cerritos in 1866. The family held on to the related adobe ranch house at 4600 Virginia Road, now a museum, until 1955. The Bixby property included modern day Bixby Knolls, California Heights, North Long Beach, and part of Signal Hill, an incorporated city.
Mark Llewellyn Bixby was a prominent and dedicated community leader who was active in various nonprofit and volunteer organizations. Though family was paramount in Mark Bixby's life, he was dedicated to his community, championed a number of causes, and served on the boards of several area nonprofits. He was a passionate bicycling advocate and was the founding director of the Long Beach Bicycle Festival. He also served as past president of the Long Beach Rotary, and remained active in many other organizations serving the citizens of Long Beach. Unfortunately, Mark Bixby's life was cut short by a tragic accident last year.
With the help of local artist and resident, Patrick Vogel, Mark Bixby's family and friends designed and manufactured a memorial in his honor. Friends and family would like to install the art piece, in the form of a wave, on the corner of Termino Avenue and Olympic Plaza (Attachment), which was an area where Mark Bixby enjoyed spending time. This location would prominently display the art rendering while commemorating his memory.
Patrick Vogel has designed, fabricated, and installed various Long Beach and national art pieces, including the following: Long Beach - the Sundial at Rotary Centennial Park, The Train Left the Station at Orizaba Park, the Plane in Flight at Daugherty Field, the Penny Farthing Bicycle at the Civic Center; national - the Avenue of Lights in Fort Worth, Texas, and the 116th Sammamish River Crossing Bridge in Redmond, Washington.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on May 22, 2012, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 25, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 12, 2012, in order to allow sufficient time for the installation of the memorial prior to Mark Bixby's birth date of June 26. A request for an administrative approval for this project is scheduled for the June 13-15, 2012, meeting of the California Coastal Commission. If, for any reason, the California Coastal Commission does not approve the request, this project will be put on hold until all regulatory agency approvals are granted.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will continue to maintain PRM's irrigation and plantings around the art piece, and will be responsible for the annual cost of approximately $250 for the LED lights. This cost will be absorbed in the current Tidelands Operations Fund (TF 401) budgeted in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR). Mark Bixby's family and friends funded the costs associated with the design and manufacture of the memorial, and will pay for installation and any necessary maintenance or repair by the artist. There is no local job impact associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER