Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-20; City Council; 16084; Charles Ledgerwood TributeAB# :6,0x4 MTG. a -30 -01 DEPT. Recreation CITY OF CARLSBAD -- AGENDA BILL TITLE : COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDED ACTION : Consider the unanimous recommendations of the Historic Preservation, Arts and Parks and Recreation Commissions with respect to a proposed tribute to Mr. Charles Ledger-wood. Direct staff accordingly. ITEM EXPLANATION : In July 2000, representatives of the Carlsbad Arboretum Foundation approached the City Council with a proposal to pay tribute to Mr. Charles Ledgerwood. Their proposal recommended the development of a “monument/statue” at the site formerly known as the Sculpture Park along Carlsbad Boulevard at Oak Avenue. Although the Council was unquestionably in favor of paying tribute to Mr. Ledgemood in some manner, they requested the matter be further reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission, Arts Commission and Historic Preservation Commission for a recommendation back to City Council. As a result of Council action, a subcommittee was formed consisting of one representative from each Commission. The subcommittee’s review of this issue not only considered the Foundations request, but they also discussed alternative ways which could serve as a tribute to Charles Ledgerwood. After viewing a video tape of the original request to Council and, discussions with a representative of the Arboretum Foundation, the subcommittee unanimously recommended that any tribute to Mr. Ledgerwood should maintain a simplistic approach and be located in an area other than the proposed location of the former Sculpture Park. Therefore, the unanimous recommendation of the subcommittee was to pay tribute to Mr. Ledgerwood with the following actions: l Plant a tree with a plaque at Magee Park on Arbor Day, 2001. l Initiate discussions with the current property owner of the former Ledgetwood residence/business to provide a plaque on site which would acknowledge the man, his residence and business. l If attempts to provide a plaque on site were unsuccessful, the City should pursue the installation of a plaque within the public right-of-way (sidewalk) in front of the former business/residence. By December 2000, all three of the respective Commissions had completed their review of the subcommittee’s recommendations and unanimously approved their suggestions. I Page 2 Understandably, representatives of the Arboretum Foundation were somewhat disappointed with the subcommittee recommendation. Consequently, a spokesperson for the Foundation had indicated that the recommendations of the subcommittee do not necessarily represent or conform to the Foundations original proposal and should therefore not be initiated as a Foundation project. Rather, if the recommended action is implemented, it should be considered as a City project. Not withstanding that, the Foundation spokesperson did indicate that any effort to acknowledge Mr. Charles Ledgerwood would not be opposed by the Foundation. Most recently, staff has had discussions with Mr. Al Corbin who has purchased the former Ledgerwood property and has plans to develop the site. Mr. Corbin has indicated a willingness to work collaboratively with City staff towards placing a plaque “on-site” acknowledging Mr. Ledgervvood and his former residence. Mr. Corbin has also indicated a willingness to allow City staff to transplant any number of Mr. Ledgerwood’s on-site trees to Magee Park, citing that the Dwarf Apple trees were one of his favorites. Therefore, if Council concurs, the staff recommendation regarding any effort to pay tribute to Mr. Ledgerwood is as follows: STAFF RECOMMENDATION 1. Direct the staff liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission to work collaboratively with Mr. Al Corbin on the wording, payment, and installation of a plaque on-site at the former residence/business of Mr. Charles Ledgerwood. 2. Direct the General Services Manager of the Public Works Department, or his designated staff, to work cooperatively with Mr. Al Corbin to transplant on-site tree(s) to Magee Park. In addition, process the installation of a simplistic plaque to coincide with Arbor Day 2001, if possible. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff estimates the cost associated with the manufacture and installation of the plaque(s) would not exceed $3,500. The cost associated with transplanting tree(s) to Magee Park is anticipated to be minimal. Staff believes funds are available in the existing operating budgets and can absorb all costs associated with the recommended action. EXHIBITS: 1. Letter to Cynthia McPherson - December 15, 2000 2. Letter from Cynthia McPherson - December 4, 2000 DEVELOPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS . -. BUILDING COMMUNITY PRIDE . STRENGTHENING FAMILIES . IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE City of Carlsbad Recreation Department December 15,200O Cynthia McPherson 1055 Buena Place Carlsbad, CA 92008 Dear Cynthia, On behalf of the Mayor and City Council Members, I have been asked to respond to your recent letter regarding Charles Ledgewood. By way of introduction, my name is Keith Beverly and I am a Senior Management Analyst in the Community Services Department of the City of Carlsbad. As you may be aware, during the July 11, 2000 City Council meeting, representatives of the Carlsbad Arboretum Foundation recommended the development of a “monument/statue” at the site formerly known as the Sculpture Park along Carlsbad Boulevard at Oak Avenue. The purpose of this development was to pay tribute to Mr. Ledgerwood. Although the Council was unquestionably in favor of paying tribute to Mr. Ledgerwood in some manner, they requested the matter be further reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Arts Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission for a recommendation back to City Council. As a result of Council direction, a subcommittee was formed by representatives of each Commission, not only to consider the Foundation’s request; but, also to consider alternative ways which could serve as a memorial tribute to Charles Ledgerwood. After viewing a video tape of the original request to Council and, discussion with a representative of the Arboretum Foundation, the subcommittee unanimously recommended that any tribute to Mr. Ledgerwood should maintain a simplistic approach and be located in an area other- that the proposed location of the former Sculpture Park. Therefore, the unanimous recommendation of the subcommittee was to pay tribute to Mr. Ledgerwood with the following actions: l Plant a tree with a plaque at Magee Park on Arbor Day, 2001. l Initiate discussions with the current property owners of the former Ledgerwood residence/business to provide a plaque on site which would acknowledge the man, his residence and business. l If attempts to provide a plaque on site were unsuccessful, the City should pursue the installation of a plaque within the public right-of-way (sidewalk) in front of the former business/residence. EXHIBIT 1 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad CA 92008 1989 (760) 434-2824 FAX (760) 434-7185 3 Ultimately, these recommendations were presented to; and, unanimously endorsed by the Parks and Recreation, Arts, and Historic Preservation Commissions. This information is currently being forwarded to the Mayor and City Council members for their consideration. Any further action relative to this issue is pending review of the advisory recommendations(s) by three City Commissions. If I can be of further assistance to you or perhaps answer specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 4342827. Sincerely, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AiJALYST c: Mayor City Council Members City Manager Assistant City Manager Recreation Director Public Works Manager Assistant Library Director December 4, 2000 1055 Buena Place Carlsbad CA 92008 Mayor Bud Lewis City Council Members City of Carlsbad 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive # Carlsbad CA 92008 Dear Mayor Lewis and Council Members: -. As a long-time resident of Carlsbad, I agree with Barbara Brill and Shelley Grossman that there be an appropriate living memorial to Charles Ledgerwood on Carlsbad Boulevard. In a real sense, Mr. Ledgerwood was not a tree man; his emphasis was on flowers and vegetables. A small garden at "The Bars" not only would honor him and his contributions to the City, it would honor Carlsbad's heritage as a flower and vegetable growing center. Because flowers require more than "mow and blow" care, perhaps the Carlsbad Garden Club or the agriculture department at MiraCosta College where he worked for so many years could maintain the "Charles Ledgerwood Park" as a a ongoing project. .- Because of Carlsbad's continuing growth, it seems to me that it is more important than ever to recognize those who in the past gave so much of themselves to help make Carlsbad such a showplace. Newcomers must understand our history in order for them to value tne Carlsbad of today. Sincerely, Cynthia McPherson c: Barbara Brill Shelley Grossman i 5