REPORT TO HISTORICAL AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Consideration for adding names of Santa Clara Police Department’s Fallen Officers to the City's approved List of Street Names.
Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) is requesting to add new street names to the City’s approved List of Street Names to include in honor of three fallen officers. The names of our three fallen officers: Sergeant Ben Mendis, Police Officer William Rickabaugh and Night Watchman George Whybark. The biographies of the SCPD’s Fallen Officers are attached.
BACKGROUND
The Historical & Landmarks Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to historical places and landmarks. This Commission provides advice on the naming and renaming of streets.
The current List of Street Names approved by the City Council is used by the development community is selection of street names (public and private streets). The strikethroughs on the list indicates that the name is no longer available. When a new development is proposed, the applicant or developer will select from the list of approved names or submit a name to be added to the list. Please note that the City uses “Place” to designate the street name as private.
DISCUSSION
The SCPD notes that it is a touching visual reminder to the surviving family members that the officers were not forgotten. The addition of fallen officers to the City’s Street Name List has the full support of the Police Chief’s office.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
COORDINATION
Scott Savage, Police Officer, and Dan Winter, Assistant Chief of Police represented the Santa Clara Police Department for this request.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Historical and Landmarks agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Historical and Landmarks Commission find the inclusion of fallen officers to be important and touching tribute to our fallen officers and therefore, recommend Council approve adding the names of three fallen officers to the Street Name List: Sergeant Ben Mendis, Police Officer William Rickabaugh and Night Watchman George Whybark.
Staff
Reviewed by: Yen Han Chen, Associate Planner
Approved by: Gloria Sciara, Development Review Officer
ATTACHMENTS
1. Biographies of Fallen Officers