Brisbane council seeks public input on plaque for David Cooley, debates location and funding options

Brisbane City Council discussed a staff proposal to place a plaque honoring David Cooley and asked staff to return with a vetted set of options and recommended locations.

Staff introduced several nonbinding ideas — including a plaque placed on a natural feature, potentially with a picture and brief text — and said costs could be absorbed within existing budgets. Councilmember Kern asked whether the city’s public art fund could be used; Michael Roush, the city’s special counsel, said the public art fund could likely be used depending on the nature of the piece.

During public comment, Michelle urged against placing commemorative signage on private roads or in fragile habitat and recommended siting any recognition on Quarry Road (city property) near established trailheads that lead to Buckeye and other accessible areas. Michelle also warned that "a lot of the trail making that David did was not sanctioned," raising concerns about placement that could encourage use of sensitive areas.

Councilmembers discussed alternatives including an artful bench program, a series of interpretive plaques about San Bruno Mountain history (with one element focused on Cooley), and a modest plaque on city property rather than a remote mountaintop site. Several members suggested seeking input from the Public Art Committee and the Open Space & Ecology Committee (OSEC) and forming an ad hoc joint group if needed. Staff said it could bring back a package of locations and aesthetic options by the end of January, and council gave staff that direction.

Councilmembers emphasized balancing recognition for a long-time volunteer with practical concerns about maintenance, vandalism and protecting fragile habitat. No final decision on a specific plaque design or site was made at the meeting.