Oxnard committee advances park bench and tree donation program after attorney urges narrower eligibility

The Oxnard Public Works and Transportation Committee on July 14 recommended that City Council approve a park bench and tree donation program, with staff directed to incorporate changes suggested by the city attorney to narrow who may apply and to clarify plaque and maintenance rules.

Committee Chair McArthur introduced the item and said Director Mike Wolf and public works staff had worked with the Parks & Recreation and Community Services Commission to produce the current draft. Director Mike Wolf described the program’s history and flagged a paragraph in the draft policy that would limit applications and could raise First Amendment concerns, asking the committee to give staff direction on whether to revise that language.

City Attorney McCurn told the committee that many cities adopt narrow eligibility rules, limiting memorial benches and trees to “an individual or a family who has a direct connection to Oxnard,” and that policies commonly prohibit commercial applicants and trademarked or copyrighted content. “Our recommendation is that that entire section be stricken and staff come up with a narrow criteria for the program,” McCurn said, explaining that a narrow, objective application process reduces discretionary staff decisions.

Committee members pressed staff on logistics. Steve Howard, assistant public works director, said the city would offer a standard expanded-metal park bench and standard trees but could accommodate park-specific benches (for example at certain beach or plaza parks) by coordinating with the parks manager; such nonstandard benches would carry higher costs. Howard also described plaque material: it will have the appearance of metal but be a removable, low-cost material similar to what is used on trophies to reduce theft risk and allow replacement.

During public comment, JR Reese offered to seed a community classical-music program and said he would be willing to make a $10,000 donation to support weekend music events tied to the Carnegie Center. A separate virtual caller, Lola, urged the committee to consider city maintenance costs and other park priorities such as lighting and larger playground or gazebo projects before expanding donation commitments.

Chair McArthur moved to forward the program recommendation to City Council with revisions to incorporate the city attorney’s suggested adjustments and to allow staff to make minor, attorney-consistent edits; a member seconded and the motion carried 3-0. The committee’s action will be transmitted to City Council for final consideration.

The committee record notes the policy will include a ten-year city maintenance commitment for the bench, tree and plaque identified in the program and that staff will update pricing in the policy over time to reflect current costs.