HomeMy WebLinkAbout19 - Ben Carlson Lifeguard HQCITY OF
F NEWPORT REACH
City Council Staff Report
November 12, 2014
Agenda Item No. 19
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Scott L. Poster, Fire Chief— (949) 644 -3101, sposter @nbfd.net
PREPARED BY: Rob Williams, Assistant Chief
PHONE: (949) 644 -3045
TITLE: Naming of "Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters"
ABSTRACT:
On July 6, 2014, Ben Carlson became the first Newport Beach Lifeguard to die in the line of duty. To
honor our fallen Lifeguard, the Mayor and City Council encouraged staff to explore naming rights to a City
of Newport Beach ( "City ") facility. After conferring with the Carlson family, we are pleased to recommend
naming the recently rehabilitated lifeguard headquarters to the "Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard
Headquarters."
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Waive the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission review per City Council Policy B -9 (Naming
of City Parks & Facilities) and accept staff's recommendation to dedicate a facility in honor of Benjamin M.
Carlson; and
b) Approve the official naming of the Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
While the facility naming has no direct fiscal impact, costs associated with identification signage and
memorial plaques may be incurred. The current adopted budget includes adequate funding for the
identification signage through the Lifeguard Headquarters Rehabilitation Project and a memorial plaque
through the Fire Department or Public Works Department budget(s).
DISCUSSION:
Ben was hired as a Newport Beach Lifeguard on March 26, 1999, joining several of his classmates from
Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga. He quickly became a leader in the Department mentoring
both new and more experienced lifeguards throughout the City. Ben was generous and readily shared his
experiences and insight with others, always striving to improve the Department's beach performance.
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In Ben's 15 years with the Newport Beach Lifeguards, he worked a variety of assignments in every
division: tower lifeguard, unit lifeguard, junior lifeguard instructor, dispatcher and, his favorite, rescue boat
deckhand. Ben was a hard worker who consistently picked up shifts throughout the year. He was always
working toward his lifelong dream of serving others, whether through his recent interest in law enforcement
or his long term goal of becoming a full time Newport Beach Lifeguard Captain.
On July 6, 2014, shortly after 5:00 p.m., the Newport Beach Rescue Boat that Ben was assigned to
identified a swimmer in distress in the six to eight foot surf near 16th Street. Without regard to his own
safety and in accordance with his training, Ben entered the water to rescue the swimmer. After he
successfully made contact with the swimmer, both of them were hit by a large wave estimated to be ten -to-
twelve feet in height. Body surfers and other lifeguard personnel at the scene attempted to rescue and
assist Ben, but due to the turbulent water conditions, were unable to do so. Thanks to Ben's efforts, the
swimmer survived.
In response to Ben's death, the City experienced an unprecedented media presence from July 6 to July
14, 2014. From the initial incident, to the days following the celebrations of Ben's life, 116 news segments
aired on local and national television and radio. Over 38 million viewers tuned in to stories aired on local
and national news. It is estimated that over 70 articles have been produced related to Ben's death and the
celebration of his life.
In the wake of Ben's death, the City, along with the community at large, has been actively looking for ways
to honor Ben's heroism and his courageous life. At the September 9, 2014, Regular City Council Meeting,
the Mayor and City Council made a request to staff to confer with the Carlson family and Marine
Operations staff in regard to potential naming rights. Ben's parents, Teri and Chris Carlson, wish for the
recently rehabilitated lifeguard headquarters at the Newport Pier to be named after their son.
The Fire Department, including the Marine Operations Division staff, support Ben's parents' wish and
believe this honor to be an appropriate way to memorialize Ben's sacrifice. In addition to traditional
identification signage for a City facility, a memorial plaque will be designed and installed to ensure that the
facility naming will stand as a reminder of the high ideals and virtues of both Ben and the City of Newport
Beach. It's impossible to bring Ben back, but naming the recently rehabilitated lifeguard headquarters after
Ben will be one more way that we ensure his memory lives on.
To this end, City staff recommends waiving the preliminary Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission
review cited in City Council Policy B -9 and accepting staff's naming recommendation. Additionally, staff
recommends that City Council allow naming of the entire lifeguard headquarters in honor of Ben, rather
than a single facility room or site amenity.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find the waiver of City Council Policy B -9 and the naming of the
recently rehabilitated lifeguard headquarters after Benjamin M. Carlson 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).
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