REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Ad Hoc Facilities Naming and Honorary Committee Recommendation to Name the San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park as the “Everett N. “Eddie” Souza Park”
Report
BACKGROUND
The San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park site, located at 2439 Monroe Street, is a 1.5 acre neighborhood park 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, an off-leash dog area, and a separate 0.5 acre fenced Community Garden with an outdoor class room, individual and group garden plots. The park sits adjacent to the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trailhead.
Under Council Policy No. 035 (Attachment 1), the Parks & Recreation Commission makes recommendations to Council for names of facilities relating to the commission’s purview. Naming recommendations are referred to the Ad-Hoc Facility Naming and Honorary Recognition Committee. The Committee reviews all naming proposals and makes its recommendation to the full Council for final review and approval.
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. Mr. 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. In addition to his public service, he had a passion for apricot and pear orchards, grafting, and composting. After consideration of various names, the Commission recommended that Council refer the Commission’s recommendation 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. Souza Park”.
On October 2, 2018, Council referred the Parks & Recreation Commission recommendation to name the San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park as “Everett N. Souza Park” to the Council Ad-Hoc Facility Naming and Honorary Recognition Committee.
On October 11, 2018, the Ad-Hoc Facility Naming and Honorary Recognition Committee (Attachment 2) discussed the alternatives of “Eddie Souza Park” and “Everett N. “Eddie” Souza Park.” The Committee approved staff’s recommendation to name the park either way and seek input from the former Mayor’s wife regarding her preference.
DISCUSSION
Staff contacted Mrs. Souza and she favored to name the park the “Everett N. “Eddie” Souza Park” since it reflects both his given name and more familiar name in the community. Therefore, this report transmits the Ad-Hoc Facility Naming and Honorary Recognition Committee recommendation as confirmed with Mrs. Souza to name the San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park and Community Garden as “Everett N. “Eddie” Souza Park” for Council consideration.
Once a Council decision is made, the family and community will be notified, a park sign will be installed with the name, and the City Parkland Inventory will be updated to reflect the name of the park. An unveiling of the sign with the family will be scheduled at a later date.
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.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for the current action. If the change in park name is approved by Council, the cost for purchase and installation of a new park sign would be approximately $5,000 and accounted in the Parks & Recreation Miscellaneous Park Improvement Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council 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
Recommend that Council name the San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park as the “Everett N. “Eddie” Souza Park”.
Staff
Reviewed by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy No. 035
2. DRAFT 10-11-18 Ad Hoc Facilities Naming and Recognition Committee Meeting Minutes