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Planning for the City of South San Francisco’s Celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial: America 250 (Megan Wooley-Ousdahl, Deputy City Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council consider the proposed year-long work plan, including staff’s detailed recommendation, and provide direction for the City of South San Francisco’s celebration of America 250, the United States’ Semiquincentennial.
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BACKGROUND
The United States is approaching its Semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This milestone, occurring on July 4, 2026, is branded nationally as “America 250.”
DISCUSSION
In recent years the City of South San Francisco has orchestrated an annual event as recommended by the mayor. This year there is interest in honoring the Semiquincentennial through a year-long celebration of events, programs, communications, signage, and branded giveaways. Staff has prepared Attachment 1: Draft America 250 Celebration Options for Council’s consideration. This includes a draft comprehensive list of options including year-long programming, July 4th celebration, signage options, communications, branded giveaways, and a budget. Staff is asking for Council’s direction on the work plan, guidance on level of effort by staff, and funding options.
Once direction is provided by Council, staff will begin to plan for and execute the events, programs, etc. As staff plans for these events, we will be mindful to incorporate a diversity of celebrations so that the City is consciously celebrating all American cultures.
Staff Recommendation
In considering all options and costs, staff recommends the following, as detailed in Table 1.
Table 1. Staff Recommendation for America 250 Celebration
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Cost |
Components |
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$41,000 - $51,000 |
4th of July parade and community picnic around City Hall |
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$15,000 |
Commemorative branded giveaways (approximately $5/each for 3,000 items) |
|
$4,000 plus labor costs |
Sign Hill letters painted red, white, and blue |
|
$1,400 |
BigBelly trashcan posters citywide |
|
$500 |
City Hall banner and bunting |
|
No net new cost |
• Uplighting City Hall around the 4th of July • Incorporating America 250 messaging into existing communications (social media, multiple electronic billboards, etc.) • Incorporating America 250 celebrations as part of existing departmental programs |
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Total: Approximately $72,000 |
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The total anticipated cost of staff’s recommendation above is approximately $72,000; funding sources for these expenditures are not yet appropriated. Additional budget details are provided in Table 2.
FISCAL IMPACT
Currently, no budget is appropriated for the events, programs, signage, and giveaways proposed in the Draft America 250 Celebration Work Plan (see Table 2 below). Many of the proposed activities, and the communications, can be incorporated into existing Departmental budgets and programming, as noted in the draft work plan. Other items, such as the July 4th celebration, banner at City Hall, painting Sign Hill, and branded giveaways will require additional funding.
Depending on the final estimated cost, funding could be allocated from the City Manager Office’s salary budget, which has projected savings for FY2025-26.
Staff can also seek sponsorships or grants for the events, signage, and giveaways. While external funding will reduce direct expenses to the City, seeking sponsorships or grants will require a significant investment of administrative time from staff.
Table 2. Draft Budget for America 250 Celebration Options
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Category |
Item |
Budget |
Notes |
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Signage Total cost for options presented: $40,095 |
Painting Sign Hill letters |
$4,000 |
Excludes labor |
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Banner at City Hall |
$195 + tax |
|
|
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Banners on sign poles (240) - cost to print banners |
$14,000 |
Total cost for banners: $34,000 |
|
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Banners on sign poles (240) - cost to install banners |
$20,000 |
|
|
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Posters on BigBelly trashcans |
$1,400 |
|
|
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Bunting on City Hall |
$500 |
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|
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Red, white, and blue uplights at City Hall |
No add’l cost |
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|
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Electronic billboard on 101 |
No add’l cost |
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|
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LPR electronic sign |
No add’l cost |
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Communications |
SSF eConnections Newsletter, print newsletter, social media, etc. |
No add’l cost |
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Branded Giveaways Total cost for options presented: $1 - unlimited |
TBD |
$1 - unlimited |
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Activities Total cost for options presented: Built into budgets |
See Attachment 1 for list of month-by-month activities. Staff anticipates that, overall, the activities will be paid for through existing Department budgets, grants, or the Friends of the Library (with the exception of the July 4th celebration). |
No add’l cost |
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July 4th Celebration Total cost for options presented: $12,000 - $74,000 |
• Parade from City Hall to Orange Memorial Park • Picnic celebration at Orange Memorial Park |
$64K - $74K |
The budget will vary (as shown in the ranges) based on whether we have a band & a DJ, or only a band, or only a DJ. |
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• Parade around City Hall (Grand Avenue - Spruce Avenue - Miller Avenue - Maple Avenue) • Picnic celebration on Grand Avenue |
$41K - $51K |
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• Picnic celebration at Orange Memorial Park |
$12K - $22K |
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CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that City Council consider the draft work plan provided in Attachment 1 and provide direction on level of effort from staff and funding options to execute the events and programming.
ATTACHMENT
1. Draft America 250 Celebration Options