Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Street Light Pole Banner Hanging Request from Garden Grove Unified School District.
End
From: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Gina Nunes, Community Services & Recreation Supervisor
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Approve the written request from Garden Grove Unified School District to hang street light pole banners along Bushard Street, between Hazard Avenue and Bolsa Avenue, and along Brookhurst Street, between Hazard Avenue and McFadden Avenue, from September 1, 2026 through September 1, 2027; or
B. Approve the written request from Garden Grove Unified School District to hang street light pole banners along Bushard Street, between Hazard Avenue and Bolsa Avenue, and along Brookhurst Street, between Hazard Avenue and McFadden Avenue for 90-days beginning September 1, 2026; and authorize the City Manager to extend for 90-day increments through September 1, 2027 should there not be any requests for banners at the location from another organization or agency.
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BACKGROUND
The Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) has four elementary schools, one intermediate school, and one high school located within the city limits. Districtwide, GGUSD serves approximately 36,000 students, including more than 3,500 students who reside in Westminster.
The District has established an annual graduate banner campaign to celebrate and recognize their college-bound students for their hard work and acceptance into prestigious universities. They are requesting to hang 20 street light pole banners along Bushard Street, between Hazard Avenue and Bolsa Avenue, and along Brookhurst Street, between Hazard Avenue and McFadden Avenue from September 1, 2026 through September 1, 2027.
Currently, the policy allows for banners to be placed on light poles for a maximum of 21 days, which includes installation and removal. The District’s request exceeds this maximum duration as defined in the policy for administrative approval and is therefore being presented to Council for consideration.
The Mayor and City Council adopted the Public Right of Way Banner Guidelines in 2003. The purpose of the guidelines was to identify eligible organizations and establish objectives to ensure that all banners in the public right of way meet similar criteria. These objectives include promoting community events, maintaining an aesthetically pleasing image, providing a positive visual impact, and increasing awareness of a significant occasion.
Since 2018, City Council has approved the District's annual request to display graduate recognition banners. In August 2023, the City Council approved a 90-day display period with authority for the City Manager to grant successive 90-day extensions if no conflicting banner requests were received from another organization or agency. On August 27, 2025, the City Council returned to approving the full one-year display period requested by the District. Under either approach, staff has not received competing requests for these banner locations.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Both options are being presented for the City Council's consideration. The Council may either continue its current practice of approving the District's request for the full one-year display period or return to the previous approach of approving an initial 90-day period with subsequent administrative extensions if no conflicting banner requests are received.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Garden Grove Unified School District Street Light Pole Banner Application
2. Garden Grove Unified School District Street Light Pole Banner Location Map
3. Garden Grove Unified School District Request Letter
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager