Commission approves Rotary peace and mental-health pole for Rotary Garden, requests three designs

The Mission Viejo Community Services Commission voted 7-0 on March 18 to approve a Rotary Club proposal to install a peace and mental-health awareness pole in the Rotary Garden along the Oso Creek Trail.

Millard Roth, identified in remarks as the Rotary Club president, told commissioners the pole is "a statement of our community's values and reminder that peace really begins with our inner being" and said the club would cover purchase, installation and ongoing maintenance. Commissioners asked that the Rotary present three design options for review and that the installation include elements to support mental-health outreach, such as a hotline number or QR code. Roth said the group would consider including the 211 hotline and language options.

The proposal prompted mixed public comment during the meeting. Paul Bucknam, a Rotary member and longtime resident, stressed the project would impose "no cost to the city," that placement would be in the Rotary Garden (off the trail path), and that the club would soften colors if necessary. Tom Moore, a 51-year resident, urged caution, calling the location "a duplication" of an existing peace monument on the trail and recommending the pole be placed at a parking lot or trailhead to avoid intruding on the trail's serenity.

A commissioner moved to approve the project "as presented," restricting the installation to the Rotary Garden, requiring the Rotary to provide three design options and confirming the Rotary would be responsible for all costs. The chair announced the motion carried by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

Next steps: staff will work with the Rotary Club to finalize location and design options; commissioners requested the three design proposals be returned to the commission for review prior to final installation.