Agenda - Council Work Session - 03/16/2020 - Special

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CC Special Work Session Meeting Date: 03/16/2020 By: Kurt Ulrich, Administrative Services Title: Review Adopt -a -flag Project Concept Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to update the Council on the concept of an adopt -a -flag program for the municipal center area. This was previously reviewed in concept by the Council and staff was authorized to investigate further details. Attached our several examples of such programs from across the country. Basically, the city would administer a program that would allow residents and businesses to sponsor American flags that would be displayed on lampposts in the vicinity of city hall. The existence of lampposts throughout the COR area provide an excellent opportunity to install flag brackets to mount American flags. Connexus Energy owns the flag poles and has agreed to allowing the city to place flags subject to signing a hold -harmless agreement. For the location of the flags, staff is recommending that a limited number of flags be installed along a one -block area of Sunwood Drive, on the north side of the municipal center, from the Saphire intersection to the Center Street intersection. The flags would serve to mark the center of the downtown area, the government center, and as a way finder for the veterans utilizing the VA Clinic. The program serves the city's strategies of strengthening and enhancing the city's identity and brand, and increasing citizen engagement. Notification: N/A Observations/Alternatives: Initially, suggested that the city install approximately 25 flags. Smaller flags would double mounted on the lower poles, and the higher single poles at intersections will have slightly larger flags. The city will seek sponsorships that allow residents, families, civic groups, and businesses to "adopt" a flag for a fee, for which the sponsors would receive recognition ((E.g., wall plague, newsletter, certificate, etc.). Different levels of sponsorship are anticipated, included a larger corporate sponsorship level that would help pay for recognition and hardware expenses. Most likely, the flags would be flown from Memorial Day through Veteran's Day in November. An option would be to fly the flags only on holidays and special events, such as Happy Days. Funding Source: The city would seek corporate, non-profit and individual funding to support this initiative. . Recommendation: It is recommended that the City proceed with this program, subject to Council discussion, and that the Council give consensus direction to promote the program and to seek sponsors. Action: