HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 - Placement of "In God We Trust' Text in Council ChambersCTY OF
F
NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
April 28, 2015
Agenda Item No. 18
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Dave Kiff, City Manager — (949) 644 -3002, dkiff @newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Dave Kiff
PHONE: (949) 644 -3002
TITLE: Placement of "In God We Trust' Text in Council Chambers
ABSTRACT:
"In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States, as adopted in 1956. Across California, many
cities have chosen to place the motto in a government meeting place, such as a Council Chambers.
Council Member Kevin Muldoon has asked that the City of Newport Beach do so as well.
RECOMMENDATION:
Select appropriate font and placement for "In God We Trust' in the Council Chambers.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item, as Mr. Muldoon has indicated that he believes that private
donations will be able to fund the installation of the US motto.
DISCUSSION:
Should the Council wish to add the US motto to the Council Chambers, staff has reviewed the following
alternative locations:
1 — In the back of the Council Chambers, facing the Council dais, above the large glass sliding doors. Our
sign consultant recommends a white font of the same text style as the remainder of the Civic Center text
style, in a 6.5" font size; or
2 — Above the entrance to the Council Chambers (above the interior foyer doors). Our sign consultant
recommends a gray font of the same text style as the remainder of the Civic Center text style, in a font size
consistent with other lettering nearby (3" tall - smaller than if the text were in the Council Chambers); or
3 — Above the staff table, in gray font, 3" or 6.5" tall; or
4 — Below the City seal in gray font, 3" tall; or
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Attachment A shows some general photo simulations of what the placements might look like.
After consulting with Ampersand signage (the same company that did the rest of the Civic Center's
signage), staff believes that Alternative #1 may be best — the white color to contrast with the grey fabric, but
same font style as the remainder of the Civic Center's signage at about 6.5" tall.
As noted, Council Member Muldoon believes that sufficient private donations can cover the roughly $2,600
(if painted aluminum white lettering is used) to $3,600 (if bead - blasted stainless steel lettering is used) cost
to add the motto's lettering to the Council Chambers.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060
(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in
physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at
which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Attachment A - In God We Trust
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ATTACHMENT A
Alternatives for "In God We Trust' Placement
Alternative #1— above the glass sliding doors
Alternative #2 — above the entrance to the Chambers
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Alternative #3 — above the staff table
Alternative #4 — Below the City Seal
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