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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19. 21-513OCTOBER 12, 2021 21-513 ORDINANCE (CARRIED__5-1____ LOST_______ LAID OVER_______ WITHDRAWN_______) PURPOSE: APPROVE DONOR RECOGNITION SIGN FOR DONATED LIBERTY ELM TREE AT GEORGE WASHINGTON TRIANGLE INITIATED BY: PARKS DEPARTMENT ADVISORY PARKS BOARD RECOMMENDATION: Approved WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution and Wisconsin Society Daughters of the American Revolution have recently donated a Liberty Elm tree placed at the George Washington Triangle area adjacent to Menominee Park; and WHEREAS, as part of the donation, the group has requested the installation of a particular design of informational donor recognition sign near the tree to inform visitors of the importance of the tree to our nation’s history; and WHEREAS, the signage requested differs from the typical donor recognition plaque used in the Parks Department Memorial Tree program and it is therefore appropriate for the Council to make the decision whether to make an exception to that program for this purpose; and WHEREAS, the City’s Gift Policy provides a preference for donor recognition objects that are small in scale, which do not detract from green spaces or areas; and WHEREAS, the Gifts and Donations policy, further recognizes the following relevant values in relation to the review and acceptance of this proposed donation:  is consistent with the mission, policies and master plans governing the City of Oshkosh and the Parks Department  promotes the preservation of historical and cultural aspects of the community  has an educational component  is suitable for the purpose proposed OCTOBER 12, 2021 21-513 RESOLUTION CONT’D  is compatible with the proposed location  is harmonious in quality, scale and character with existing improvements and features in the area  is a traditional park or municipal amenity  is suitable to the environmental conditions of public display  is suitable to the technical requirements or design standards for installation of improvements in public places  WHEREAS, the Advisory Parks Board has evaluated the proposed donor recognition object and has recommended acceptance and placement of the sign. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that, on behalf of the residents of this community, the City acknowledges with deep gratitude and appreciation the generous donation of the Liberty Elm Tree by the Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution and Wisconsin Society Daughters of the American Revolution. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proposed sign including the history of the Liberty Elm Tree and recognition of the donors is hereby accepted and the appropriate city staff are authorized to work with the donors for the installation of the signage near the Liberty Elm Tree at the George Washington triangle property.  Indicates Revision City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager DATE: October 6, 2021 RE: Approve Donor Recognition Sign for Donated Liberty Elm Tree at George Washington Triangle BACKGROUND The Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution and Wisconsin Society Daughters of the American Revolution have recently donated a Liberty Elm tree placed at the George Washington Triangle area adjacent to Menominee Park. The Liberty Elm is a clone from the Liberty Elm tree that stood in Boston Common in the years prior to the American Revolution. As part of the donation, the group has requested the installation of an informational donor recognition sign near the tree to inform visitors of the importance of the tree to our nation’s history. The group holds annual events at the George Washington Monument in appreciation of the history of the Revolutionary War period. ANALYSIS As part of reviewing the donor recognition/informational sign per the City’s Gifts and Donations Policy, City staff suggested that a plaque similar to those approved for placement with the city’s memorial tree program be used to maintain continuity with existing programs. However, the group indicated that the plaque is primarily educational and historic and they felt that a memorial tree plaque would not fulfill the intended purpose. The Miller’s Bay Neighborhood Association was also contacted per the request of the Advisory Parks Board regarding their preference for marking the tree and they indicated that they are not in favor of this type of sign at this location. The Advisory Park Board had discussions regarding the proposal that included: relevance of the content on the sign, direct ties to the City of Oshkosh community, importance of the tree at this location and conformity with the existing plaque mounted with the statue. The Board ultimately voted to recommend approval of the sign on a 7-2 vote. Minutes from those meetings are included in your packet. A photo of the proposed sign with black metal mounting pole is also included in your packet. FISCAL IMPACT The total fiscal impact of this project is staff time to install the sign. RECOMMENDATION The Advisory Parks Board recommends approval. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES JUNE 14, 2021 2) CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND PLACEMENT OF A SIGN AT GEORGE WASHINGTON TRIANGLE FOR A DONATED LIBERTY ELM TREE Mr. Maurer started by discussing that this request comes to the Board as a donation recognition request. The City does have a Memorial Tree Program with a standard plaque but since this sign is different he felt it would be best to bring the item to the Board and Council for approval. Mr. Sturm updated that the Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution contacted him this spring regarding the donation of the tree. The process was coordinated well on their end. He initially was under the impression that they would just be donating the tree but then they brought in the plaque that they wanted to use as well. The tree is a clone from the Liberty Elm tree that stood in Boston Common prior to the American Revolution. Staff was not comfortable with the proposed mounting of the plaque by the group so staff worked on acceptable option for that. An information pictorial was provided to the Board. The plan is to place it on a post similar to the historical street signs and mount the tree plaque. It would be installed next to the tree in mulch. Ms. Palmeri commented that there is already a plaque on site from the Daughters of the American Revolution and suggested that the signage for the tree match or be similar to that plaque. Mr. Dirth questions whether the content on the signage is relevant. He would prefer to see something that ties the tree to Oshkosh. Mr. Sturm states that he can reach out to them and ultimately it is the decision of the City for approval. It was recommended that the discussion be tabled until the next meeting and have a representative from the organization available to answer questions. Motion by Palmeri to table approval of the sign at George Washington Triangle for the donated Liberty Elm Tree until the next meeting for input from the organization. Seconded by Martin. Motion carried 9-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 9, 2021 2) CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND PLACEMENT OF A SIGN AT GEORGE WASHINGTON TRIANGLE FOR A DONATED LIBERTY ELM TREE Mr. Sturm updated that he contacted the Miller’s Bay Neighborhood Association regarding the plaque. They had indicated that they are not in favor of the sign that was presented and proposed using the customary memorial tree plaque. They felt that this would be more consistent with what is done at other park locations. He added that Mr. Haglund, Vice President of the Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution, was invited to the meeting however he was not in attendance. Motion by Palmeri to table approval of the sign at George Washington Triangle for the donated Liberty Elm Tree until the next meeting to allow for input from the organization. Seconded by Metz. Motion carried 8-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 2) CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND PLACEMENT OF A SIGN AT GEORGE WASHINGTON TRIANGLE FOR A DONATED LIBERTY ELM TREE Mr. Maurer introduced Robert Haglund, Vice President of the Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution who is present to answer any questions regarding the proposed sign. Mr. Sturm added that he has heard from the Millers Bay Neighborhood Association that they would prefer any plaque placed be similar to the memorial tree plaques. Mr. Sturm reminded the Board that this sign will be placed on a black ornamental post. Mr. Haglund answered questions regarding the size of the plaque. He states that the memorial tree plaques are smaller and made of granite. The requested sign is more along the lines of historical signage due to the amount of information included on the sign. He gave a history of the tree stating that the tree came from acorns that were gathered from the original Liberty Tree in Boston prior to it being cut down. The Liberty Tree was where patriots would meet as there would be consequences for property owners if they met in a bar or tavern. He also explained that the language on the sign is similar to other Liberty Trees that have been planted throughout the United States with the exception of the “Donated By” language at the bottom of the sign. Mr. Dirth questioned the trees connection to the City and why the group had wanted it planted at this location. Mr. Haglund answered that when these trees were set up throughout the state that this location was chosen because of the George Washington statue and his importance at this time in history. Other trees in the state have been placed at the grave sites of patriots. Mr. Greuel questioned whether there was a city ordinance regarding signs. Mr. Maurer answered that this sign will fall under the donation policy as a recognition object. Motion by Metz for approval of placement of the sign at George Washington Triangle for the donated Liberty Elm Tree. Seconded by Greuel. Motion carried 7-2 (Martin, Palmeri).