REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Develop a Comprehensive List of Potential Names for Public Parks
Report
BACKGROUND
According to Council Policy No. 035 (Attachment 1) the City Council names municipal facilities using the following guidelines:
• Individuals, living or deceased, who have made outstanding contributions to the City of Santa Clara or Santa Clara community;
• Individuals, living or deceased, who made contributions of local, state, national, or worldwide significance;
• Geographic location, prominent environmental feature(s), or historical significance e, of the area that the building/facility is located.
According to the same policy, the Parks & Recreation Commission (Commission) reviews all naming proposals for public park facilities at a publicly noticed meeting and make a recommendation to the Council Governance and Ethics Committee. The Governance and Ethics Committee reviews all naming recommendations at a publicly noticed meeting and may deny the recommendation or make a recommendation to the City Council for final approval.
At the November 19, 2019 Commission meeting (Attachment 2), the Commission recommended that the naming of the New Neighborhood Park located at 1205 Coleman Avenue, and the New Public Park located at 2343 Calle Del Mundo be tabled until one month after a comprehensive list of potential park names is developed by the Commission for consideration. In addition, the Commission recommended that each commissioner provide staff a list of three to four names (with sufficient background information about the name in conformance with the Council Policy) by the January 21, 2020, Parks & Recreation Commission meeting.
DISCUSSION
Under Council Policy No. 035 the Parks & Recreation Commission makes recommendations to the Governance and Ethics Committee for names of facilities relating to the Commission’s purview, such as parks. Proposed names must be in accordance with at least one of the criteria outlined in Council Policy No. 035.
While staff does not have a recommendation, it advises that the Commission develop and provide a biographical sketch for each person nominated that provides an account of the life and activities of the individuals under consideration including information about the person's name, place of residence, education, occupation, life, and activities and other important details prior to making a recommendation to the Governance & Ethics Committee.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“ECQA”) 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 to the General Fund for the current action.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission 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
Develop a draft list and receive public input.
Staff
Reviewed by: Dale Seale, Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director, Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy No. 035
2. Draft Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes November 19, 2019