REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Referring a Recommendation to Name the San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park as "Everett N. Sousa Park" to the Ad-Hoc Facilities Naming and Recognition Committee
Report
BACKGROUND
The San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park site, located at 2439 Monroe Street, is a 1.5 acre neighborhood park site that was dedicated for public park use on August 25, 2018. The park features a large grass area, natural and drought tolerant landscaping, picnic area, a parking lot, age appropriate playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 6-12, a restroom building, and an off-leash dog area. It sits adjacent to the previously dedicated San Tomas Aquino Creek Trailhead, and a separate .5 acre fenced Community Garden with outdoor class room, individual and group garden plots.
On February 20, 2018, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed potential names for new park sites. Due to his dedication and service to the Santa Clara community Everett N. Souza was considered. Everett Souza was a third-generation Santa Claran, who was involved in numerous community organizations and was an advocate for the underprivileged members in the community; he was elected to the Santa Clara City Council in 1979 and served six years until being elected Mayor in 1986, and re-elected for a second term as Mayor in 1990. After consideration of various names, on a motion by Commissioner Silva and second by Commissioner Walke, the Commission recommended (Aye-6, No-0, Abstention-1) that Council refer the Commission's request to the Ad Hoc Facilities Naming and Honorary Recognition Committee to consider naming the San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park and Community Garden as "Everett N. Sousa Park."
DISCUSSION
Under Council Policy No. 035 (Attachment 2), the Parks & Recreation Commission makes recommendations to Council for names of facilities relating to the commission's purview; re-naming of existing facilities is discouraged. It has been the practice that the Council referred...
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