Title
Consider an Application for a Monument Located on Town Property.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Town Council to consider an application for a monument located on Town property.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Kristen Benoit, Assistant to Public Works Director; kbenoit@carrboronc.gov <mailto:kbenoit@carrboronc.gov>, 919-918-7428; Anita Jones-McNair, Interim Public Works Director, amcnair@carrboronc.gov <mailto:amcnair@carrboronc.gov>, 919-918-7381
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate ____ Comprehensive Plan __X__Other
Council Direction Statement
The Town has an established policy regarding the location, planting, erecting, or construction of items such as monuments, trees, shrubs, benches, or other construction on Town-owned or leased property to commemorate or memorialize any person, place or event. Under the policy, proposals are presented to the Town Council for consideration. Racial equity pocket questions are included as Attachment B.
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Information
INFORMATION: The Town has a policy regarding applications for monuments located on Town property. The policy includes guidelines to consider when reviewing potential monuments.
The Town received an initial inquiry regarding installation of a bench last summer. Applicants were directed to the Monument policy, and they submitted a request for a memorial bench on July 22, 2022. Due to changes in the original application, such as the bench location and text to appear on the plaque, a new application form was completed with the proposed changes to avoid confusion (See Attachment A - Town Policy and Application Form for Monuments Located on Town Property - Martha Mandell). The application, submitted by Seth Elliott, Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Bethany Chaney, Julie McClintock, Friends of Bolin Creek, and others to honor Martha “Marty” Mandell requests permission to install a custom cedar plank bench, constructed by Decicco Woodshop, to be placed at Wilson Park near the entrance to trails in the Adams Tract. Examples of similar benches installed elsewhere have been provided.
As noted in Section 3 of the policy, the Town Council may refer any monument request to staff for an analysis of the guidelines established in Section 3.
In the interest of time and in consideration of the Town Council’s schedule, Town staff, including Trish McGuire, Planning Director, JG Ferguson, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Director, Anita Jones-McNair, Chief Race and Equity Officer/Interim Public Works Director, Dillon Dispennette, Streets and Grounds Supervisor, and Kristen Benoit, Assistant Public Works Director, met Seth Elliot at Wilson Park to discuss the proposed monument and location. A review of the proposal in relation to the guidelines in Section 4 is provided below:
a) The general or local significance or prominence of the person, place, or event commemorated or memorialized. Marty Mandell lived and owned property in Carrboro for many years.
b) Whether the person, place, or event commemorated or memorialized is significant, important, or relevant to the public generally, as opposed to a small group of persons.
c) Whether the monument's proposed location will be compatible with its surroundings.
Applicants request - Location adjacent to the Wilson Park Multi-use Path, near the sign kiosk, pollinator planting area, and native bee house.
Staff comments and recommendation - Install the bench under the pine trees on the opposite side of the path. This location is more level, which is a more universally accessible platform for the bench and for an adjacent seating area for any individual using a wheelchair or other mobility device. This location would require minimal grading compared with the request. The location is wooded and provides a natural and aesthetically pleasing setting for a bench and provides a view into the Adams Tract. The location is close to the mid-point along the path from its beginning at the edge of the parking lot and its current terminus at Estes Drive.
d) The enduring quality and character of the materials used to create the monument.
Applicants request - Cedar plank bench
Staff comments and recommendation - Install a bench similar to the current benches in Wilson Park and other Town parks. Staff inquired about the lifespan of the cedar plank bench. At this time, staff has not obtained information about the relative life span of the cedar plank bench in relation to standard benches installed otherwise. A cedar plank bench is considerably different visually and experientially from the benches used elsewhere in Wilson Park and other Town parks. Any maintenance, upkeep, or replacement of any parts would be uniquely expensive long term should any maintenance be required for any reason in the future.
e) The cost to the town of constructing, erecting, locating, and maintaining the monument.
Staff comments and recommendations - See comment above regarding lifespan of applicant’s selection of the bench. Staff has not obtained cost estimates for maintenance or replacement of this bench. The applicant has offered that the bench would be maintained by one of the applicants. It appears that this type of bench is expected to be installed directly into the ground. Staff recommends that an ADA-compliant surface and accessible route from the Wilson Park MU path be provided for this bench, as well as an additional accessible seating space adjacent to the bench. Staff also recommends that the Town maintain the bench, rather than the applicant to maintain consistency and quality. It is noted that a future Council may decide on a uniform standard for benches in Town parks and that, should Council approve this request, once this bench’s useful life has been exhausted it might be replaced with some other type of bench. Considering this, as well as other interests, the applicant could consider a shorter, more standard message and plaque that might also fit on different types of benches and in multiple formats for different reading fonts and language accessibility. Staff also recommends a standard plaque, 11.75” x 2.5”, that would include In Memory of Martha “Marty” Mandell. This standard size would be consistent with other plaques.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: The applicants will pay the cost of the bench, installation, and plaque. Town staff recommends that the Town maintain the bench, rather than the applicant. The estimated annual cost to maintain the bench annually is nominal.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended Town Council approve the application for the monument consistent with the guidelines set forth in the Policy for Monuments Located on Town Property (the standard bench along with ADA - compliant surface). .end