TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and possibly take action on approving a request to honor a youth that previously lived in the City of Maricopa and has passed away. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
On November 5, 2013 two youth in the community spoke at the call to the public during a regular City Council meeting. The two youth presented the Council with a petition that was signed by hundreds of students and individuals in the community that wanted to name a field after a deceased youth named Tommy Fitzgerald. Tommy had played Little League in the City for six years and passed away due to an injury he received playing baseball. To honor his memory many of his friends and fellow teammates wanted to honor him by naming a field at Pacana Park because that is where Tommy played Little League.
Since this request was presented at the call to the public, the Council could not fully respond to the request. It was suggested that this matter be taken to the Youth Council to obtain their thoughts on this request.
On December 10, 2013 the Youth Council met to discuss the request to name a field at Pacana Park after Tommy Fitzgerald. Present at this meeting were the two youth that presented to City Council. After listening to information about Tommy and the request, the Youth Council came up with three ideas on how to honor Tommy Fitzgerald. The three ideas on how the community can honor Tommy are as follows:
1. A focal point/piece of artwork/statue of a child playing baseball.
This item would correlate with Maricopa Little League's Sportsmanship Award which has been re-named in Tommy's honor. The idea would be to add the winner of the award to this focal point each year that exemplifies what Tommy stood for.
2. Naming ball field #1 at Pacana Park in his honor.
3. The community could conduct 33 days of fundraising that would go with a scholarship in his honor. This item could also go towards the recipient of the Tommy Fitzgerald Sportsmanship Award.
This item will be presented by Jennifer Campbell, Community Services Director.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve an idea on how to honor Tommy Fitzgerald in the City of Maricopa.