RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
Adopt a resolution approving the proposed May 2021 revisions to the Park Naming Policy.
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BACKGROUND
The park naming process has been in place for more than twenty years. This public process solicits name suggestions every July for new parks that will be under construction that fiscal year. The Park Naming Subcommittee has been made up of two City Council members and three officers of the Parks & Recreation Commission. The three officers included Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary.
Recent Changes
Two recent changes have occurred that caused staff to re-evaluate the process. These are:
• The Parks & Recreation Commission no longer appoints a Secretary position.
• Attorney review of the Subcommittee has determined that the Subcommittee is subject to the Brown Act.
Impacts
These changes create a need to change the process. The most critical aspect of the change is compliance with the Brown Act. To address this, options were considered. These included:
• Create a Subcommittee made up of staff who will present up to three recommendations per park to be named to the Parks & Recreation Commission who, in turn, will recommend up to three names per park to the City Council for their final approval.
• Keep the Subcommittee as is (with makeup to consist of three “members” of the Parks & Recreation Commission rather than three “officers”) and conduct the review and selection of submitted names in a public forum.
Recommendation
The recommendation is to create a Subcommittee made up of staff to present up to three recommendations per park to be named to the Parks & Recreation Commission, who, in turn shall forward up to three names to the City Council for their final approval. This allows for both the Commission and Council to remain actively involved in the process while also complying with the Brown Act when suggested names are brought forward to the Commission and Council. The proposed revised park naming process is attached.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the policy revisions at the June 7, 2021 meeting. The Commission approved the proposed policy revisions and is forwarding the recommendation to Council for approval.
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FISCAL IMPACT
The changes to the park naming process have no fiscal impact.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to activities that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, or is otherwise not considered a project as defined by CEQA Statute §21065 and CEQA State Guidelines §15060(c)(3) and §15378. Approval of the Park Naming Policy revisions meet the above criteria and are not subject to CEQA. No additional environmental review is required.
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CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN/OVERARCHING GOALS
Goal B - Support community engagement and advocacy
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Respectfully Submitted,
Tara Gee, Park Planning & Development Superintendent
Jill Geller, Parks, Recreation & Libraries Director |
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Dominick Casey, City Manager
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