DECORATION PLAN PROPOSAL

Effective ______

Background The City’s outdoor Christmas decorations failed in 2014, and during preparations for 2015 decorating, the City discovered that only five of the City’s pole decorations were functioning. Of the 18 total remaining pole ornaments, nearly all had suffered significant weathering – the wear and tear was so bad it led to the City receiving complaints about them. Given the City’s budgetary limitations, the decision was made to forego the decorations for 2015 and instead formulate a plan to work together to decide and acquire some commercial grade decorations that don’t “break the bank” but also prove to be something everyone can be proud of. Staff, led by Park Supervisor Rick Cooper, has assembled this draft plan in hopes to accomplish this goal.

Challenges There are four main challenges to implementing an effective light display throughout town. 1. Commercial grade displays can be expensive, and building our own can lead to unknown costs with variable results. 2. Lights require power, which is an added cost for installing infrastructure and “keeping the lights on.” 3. Even if decorations are not lighted, power poles are not exactly installed with a decorative purpose in mind and lead to sporadic placement. 4. Decorations cannot be installed on private property without permission, and there are a number of safety rules and laws that apply to roadways and right-of-ways which limit the effectiveness of displays.

Solutions To answer these challenges, staff is proposing the following solutions: 1. Purchase decorations during after-Christmas sales over a four-year period and invite community organizations to partner with the City. 2. Instead of using poles, establish a few strategic sites for motifs throughout the community that lend themselves to improved logistics and impact.

Sites Staff proposes Christmas decorations be installed at the following locations starting next year through 2019. 2016: Kermit Cox Park and City Hall (Indoor) 2017: Area near or adjacent to the Recreation Center 2018: Southwest corner of Rose Hill Road and SW 150th Street, and the Rose Bridge on Rose Hill Road 2019: City Hall (Outdoors) 1 of 4 DRAFT

2015 Plan Proposal City of Rose Hill, KS

The Plans Staff proposes the following plans for each location: • City Hall (Indoor): Acquire a 14-foot lighted to be displayed in the City Hall rotunda. The decorations to be primarily Rose Hill Rocket red and white. • Kermit Cox: Install power supply from existing source. Acquire lights for existing natural and for trim around landscaping. The decorations to be primarily white and neutral in nature so that they complement and do not conflict with the annual festivities at the adjacent Rose Hill Christian Church. • Near Recreation Center: Leave this area open for consideration until the Recreation Commission can be consulted. • Southwest corner of Rose Hill Road and SW 150th Street: Use power supply from City’s nearby water facility. Acquire lights for trimming community entrance sign and possibly acquire lighted candy canes along road with property owner permission. • Rose Bridge on Rose Hill Road: Install power supply from City owned and operated decorative street lights. Acquire lights to be applied to the bridge. Acquire lighted decorations to adorn the existing sidewalk path. • City Hall (Outdoor): Leave this open for future consideration contingent upon funding availability and design consistency.

Partners Staff proposes inviting the following partners at each site to assist with coordination and design. Partners also will be encouraged to contribute funding or help collect donations for the projects. Partnerships are not assumed or mandatory. • City Hall (Indoor): Rose Hill Library, Hometown Christmas • Kermit Cox: Rose Hill Christian Church, Rose Hill Historical Society, and Rose Hill Senior Center. • Near Recreation Center: Rose Hill Recreation Commission, USD 394 • Southwest corner of Rose Hill Road and SW 150th Street: Sienna Ranch Homeowners Association. • Rose Bridge on Rose Hill Road: Chamber of Commerce, Butler County Fire District No. 3, and Primrose Homeowners Association. • City Hall (Outdoor): Rose Hill Library, Hometown Christmas

Design and Project Management The projects will be led by Park Supervisor Rick Cooper. While input will be encouraged and welcomed, the goal is to implement a consistent and cohesive set of displays. Any direction that cannot be resolved through cooperative negotiations will be referred to the Rose Hill City Council. All expenditures are subject to the City’s normal budgetary and financial policies.

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2015 Christmas Decoration Plan Proposal City of Rose Hill, KS

Budget The City does not have a formal budget or capital plan for these expenditures. 2016 expenditures will derive from operating funds, and depending on size, scope, and direction future years may need additional financial planning. Detailed price quotes have not yet been compiled for each phase of installation and cost will vary based on availability of products, direction, and funding. With those limitations in mind, staff proposes the following basic annual budget to include electrical work, materials, project coordination, and displays (not including staff time or post- installation electricity): 2016: Kermit Cox Park and City Hall (Indoor): $3,000 2017: Area near or adjacent to the Recreation Center: $5,000 2018: Southwest corner of the intersection of Rose Hill Road and SW 150th Street; and the Rose Bridge on Rose Hill Road: $12,000 2019: City Hall (Outdoors): $5,000

Amendments This Plan is designed to be a starting point and an organizing tool. It is non-binding and is likely to change many times as more information and input is received. As with any Plan, the goal is to not lose sight of the purpose: To work together to help create a community environment that makes us happy and proud – especially during the Christmas season.

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