HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 290-07City of Palo Alto
C ¢y Manager’s
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
ATTN: POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE: JUNE 26, 2007 CMR:290:07
SUBJECT: DIRECTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RENAMING OF CITY
FACILITY TO HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING ,~. AND CORETTA SCOTT
KING
RECOMMENDATION
Staff reconmaends that the Policy & Services Committee review and recolmnend to the City
Council the renaming of either Lytton Plaza or City Hall Plaza in honor of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. mad Coretta Scott King.
BACKGROUND
The City Council considered a Colleagues’ Memo on January 16, 2007 to rename a City street in
honor of the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. The Council
took action to refer this matter to the Policy & Services Committee. On February 13, the Policy
& Selwices Colrmaittee directed staff to further explore the possibility of renaming a CiD7 park,
plaza or facility in honor of the Kings. Prior to review of the matter by the Policy & Services
Committee in February, staff investigated the feasibility of renaming Oregon Expressway or
another Ci~ street. Staff identified substantial challenges to renaming a City street. The
Committee directed staff to work with the Palo Alto Historical Association to nominate a park,
plaza, or City facili~ to be renamed and suggested the following facilities as appropriate
alternatives: City Hall Plaza; Lytton Plaza; the Friendship pedestrian bridge between the Palo
Alto Baylands and East Palo Alto; the Main Library; or the Baylands Athletic Center.In
particular, the Cormnittee identified City Hall Plaza as a preferred alternative.
DISCUSSION
Staff from the Community Services Depax-tment have worked with the Palo Alto Historical
Association (PAHA) over the past few months to evaluate these alternatives. Attacttment E to
this staff report is the report from PAHA that outlines the analysis of the various alternatives.
The association recommended that the City consider renaming Lytton Plaza Park, City Hall
Plaza or a reading area in a furore rebuilt Mitchel! Park Library. Staff agrees with the analyses
CMR: 290:07 Page 1 of 4
presented by PAI-L~k on the L?~on Plaza and City Hall Plaza alternatives. However, the Mitchell
Park Library alternative may present challenges from a timing perspective. If a bond election is
held in June 2008 and is successful, the facili~ will probably not be completed until 2009 or
later. Additionally, the Ci~ may want to leave naming options flexible in the future library if
donations are solicited to help offset the costs of a new facility~
In accordance with City Policy 1-15, Naming City-owned Parks and Facilities, if the Council
desires to name the City Hall plaza in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Corerta Scott
King, the Policy and Services Committee would consider the merits of the naming nomination
and would transmit its recommendation to the full Council for approval. Since the CiD~ Hall
plaza is not cm’rently named, and is not considered a park or recreation facility, the name
nomination would not require the prior review and reconvnendation of the Parks and Recreation
Cormnission.
If. however, the Council desires to re-name L?~on Plaza in honor of the Kings, since the facility
is a City park and has a long-recognized name, the name suggestion requires the review of the
Palo Alto Historical Association (completed), and then the Parks and Recreation Commission
following the criteria outlined below. Staff from the Ci~7 Attorney’s Office and Planning have
reviewed City documents related to the acquisition of Ly-tton Plaza and were unable to identi~
any restrictions related to the naming of this plaza.
Docz¢mentation of Past History and Justification for .~Vame Selection. In accordance with the
naming policy, the Palo Alto Historical Association is the first level of review- of park and
facility names. The process of name review requires the person or group making a naming
suggestion to documem the reasons for the pax-ticular suggestion; the historical connection
between the name and the park or facility; and, in the case of a proposal to name a facility for a
person, the contributions that the individual has made to the commmaity. A naming suggestion
forna helps to standardize nominations.
The Palo Alto Historical Association reviews the suggested park or facility naming to assess the
historical or geographical context of the name.
Role of Ad~,isory Commissions or Committees in Re~,im,~,ing ,Arames. The Parks and Recreation
Commission has a role in the review of naxnes for parks, City-owned lands and recreation
facilities; the Library Advisory- Cormnission has a review role in nanaes for libraries; the Public
Arts Commission in nanaes for art facilities; and the Policy and Services Committee in the
review of names for police, fire, utility or other civic facilities - including the City Hall plaza.
The Cormnission or Committee provides a forum for public comment, ensures that the name of
the pax’k or facility properly reflects the history and culture of the neighborhood or user ~oup
that the facility will serve. The appropriate commission also helps to determine whether the
suggested name is helpful to the public in identifying the location of the facility and whether the
name is consistent with the character of the park or facility.
Criteria For Renamin~ Parks And Facilities:
Many Palo Alto parks and City facilities have been renamed in honor of persons who have made
significant contributions to the community or who have historically been associated with the area
CMR: 290:07 Page 2 of 4
where the park is located. Seven city parks that have been renarned in honor of individuals
origina!ly had geographic nanaes, such as Meadow Park, Mayfield Park and Aanarillo Park.
After the death of Lucie Stern, the Palo Alto Conn’nunity Center was renamed the L, ucie Stem
Conmmnity Center in honor of the benefactor of the center and many other city facilities.
The advantage of renaming a park or facility is that it provides a process for the recognition of
persons who have made an outstanding contribution to the con~nunity. In cases where the test of
time indicates that a person was unsuitable or that there is not a proper historical comaection
between the park and the individual, a new nanae can be chosen.
The disadvantage of renaming a park or facility is that when the site is recognized by the
community or it serves as a geographical reference point, changing the name can cause
confusion to the public in finding the site. This is generally more of a problem for popular
destinations that are regionally ~own than small neighborhood or mini-parks.
Ci~~ policy discourages the renaming of existing park or recreational facilities, particularly one
whose name has regiona! significance, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, and no other
new facility or portion of an existing park or facilib- can be named. The renaming policy
suggests that if a park or facility is to be renamed in honor of a person, that this only be done
when the person or persons have made "major, overriding contributions to the City and whose
distinctions are as yet unrecog-nized." These extraordinary contributions would be detailed on
the name suggestion form and would be expanded upon by the review of the Historical
Association.
In considering whether it is appropriate to rename a City park or facility, the Policy outlines
three criteria that should be used by the City Council:
1. Has the person(s) made lasting and significant contributions to the protection of natural or
cultural resources of the CiD- of Palo Alto? or
2. Has the person(s) made substantial contributions to the betterment of a specific facili~; or
park, consistent with the established standards for the facility? or
3. Has the person(s) made substantial contributions to the advancement of recreational
opportunities within the Cit)~ of Palo Alto?
RESOURCE IMPACT
The most significant resource impact of renaming either Lytton Plaza or Ci~, Hall Plaza will be
any necessary signage changes or changes to publications referencing the names of either plaza.
This may- be more si~._ificant for Lytton Plaza as it is a recognized park and may be referenced in
more locations than City Hall Plaza. Due to the nature of usage of the two plazas and their
locations, the City may want to consider installation of a more permanent plaque or sign as
compared to the traditional wooden signs installed at other communiD; parks. The estimated cost
of this type of signage is approximately $10,000. If the Commit-tee directs staff to proceed with
the renaming of either plaza, staff will further research and refine this estimate. Aany sign
installation at the plazas would also potentially need review by the Architectural Review Board.
CMR: 290:07 Page _3 of 4
Additionally, renaming Lytton Plaza will require staff effort to bring the issue before the Parks
and Recreation Commission and then back to the City- Council. Renaming City Hall Plaza would
only require consideration by Policy & Services and then final action by the Council.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report is consistent with direction provided by the City Council during previous discussions
of renaming in recognition of the Kings.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not a project requiring enviromr~ental review under the California Enviromnental Quality
Act (CEQA).
Attachir~ent A:
Attachinent B:
Attachment C:
Attacbanent D:
Attachment E:
JanuaD~ 16, 2007 Colleagues’ Memo
Excerpt of minutes from January 16, 2007 Council meeting
February 13, 2007 Colleagues’ Memo to Policy & Sexwices Committee
Excerpt of minutes from February 13, 2007 Policy & Services Conmaittee
meeting
Report from the Palo Alto Historical Association regarding renaming
alternatives in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King
PREPARED BY:
APPROVED BY:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Kelly Morariu
Assistant to the City Manager
Greg Betts
Parks and Open Space Manager
RICHAR~
;ES DIRECTOR
E~~~~ ARRISON
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
CMR: 290:07 Page 4 of 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
MEMORANDUM
ATTACHMENT A
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
January 16, 2007
City Council Colleagues
Council Members Cordell and Drekmeier
Request for the City Council to consider Renaming a Street in Palo Alto to
King Boulevard in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott
King
RECOMMENDATION
We are asking for your support in directing City staff to explore the possibility of
renaming a street in Palo Alto "King Blvd." in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and
Coretta Scott King.
BACKGROUND
On January 15, 2007, people throughout the nation will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.’s 78th birthday (January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968). In Palo Alto, our City Council
meeting, which is normally scheduled for Monday, has been moved to Tuesday in honor
of Dr. King.
In 1953, Martin Luther King married Coretta Scott (April 27, 1927 - Jan. 30, 2006),
creating one of the nation’s most dynamic husband/wife teams. During their 15 years
together, the Kings were responsible for making incredible progress in the struggle for
civil rights. Among their many achievements are the following:
Organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955/6 that raised international
awareness of the plight of African Americans.
Directing the March on Washington in 1963 in which 250,000 people listened to
Dr. Martin Luther King deliver his "1 Have a Dream" speech.
Leading the effort for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In recognition for their work,
Dr. Martin Luther King received the Nobel Peace Prize.
In the aftermath of Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, Coretta Scott King continued in a
leadership role for the Civil Rights Movement. She also founded the Martin Luther King,
Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and lobbied for a national holiday in honor of Dr.
King, which was granted in 1983.
Dr. Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King are two of the greatest leaders of the 20th
Century. Their legacy is strong in Palo Alto, a city which has a long-standing
commitment to civil rights and civil liberties. Furthermore, the King Papers Project is
housed at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford
University, which is directed by the highly esteemed Professor Clay Carson, a Palo Alto
resident.
We hope you will join us in honoring these great Americans by directing staff to explore
the possibility of renaming a Palo Alto street "King Blvd."
ATTACHMENT B
10.Colleagues Memo from Council Members Cordell and Drekmeier to
Request the City Council Consider Renaming a Street in Palo Alto to
King Boulevard in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta
Scott King
MOTY:ON; Council Member Drekmeier moved, seconded by Cordell, to direct
City staff to explore the feasibility of the economic impact of renaming a
street in Palo Alto to "King Boulevard" in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
and Coretta Scott King.
Council Member Drekmeier stated naming a street after Dr. King and his
wife would be a great honor and would ser~Je as a reminder of what had
been accomplished, and is still to be pursued, in civil rights and civil
liberties.
Council Member Cordell stated after Dr. King’s passing, Coretta Scott King
became very active in the forefront of the Civil Rights movement. Mrs. King
was given forty honorary degrees, authored three books, and had a_
nationally syndicated column.
Stephanie Munoz, 101 Alma, stated Council energy should be directed
towards what Dr. King would do instead of naming a street after him.
Aram James suggested renaming Foothills Park or University Avenue after
Dr. King and his wife.
Tamala Williams, 240 Wilton, recommended if a street were renamed, a
connection with Embarcadero or University Avenue would bring multicultural
cities together.
Joy Ogawa said the economic impact on the residences and businesses of
renaming a street should be reviewed
Ann Ozer, 1850 Sand Hill Road, #27, encouraged the Council to rename a
significant location after Dr. King and his wife.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, did not support the renaming of a street.
Bob Moss, 4010 Orme, stated the City had policies on naming streets that
should be followed.
SE~:ONIDER to request that staff explore other options such as naming a
park or a library/in honor of the King family.
01/16/07 16
Council Member Drekmeier agreed with Council Member Cordell on the
possibility of renaming something other than a street.
Council Member Mossar suggested a Mayoral appointed committee on
researching the impact and policy of renaming something of significance to
the King legacy in the City of Palo Alto.
~OT~ON~ Council Member Drekmeier moved, seconded by Cordell, to refer
this agenda item to the Policy and Services Committee.
Council Member Kleinberg agreed stating a street would not be special
enough to honor what the King Family had accomplished for the Civil Rights
movement.
Council Member Morton said consent of the community would be required
before renaming a street.
Vice Mayor Klein said he would cons.ider naming a new facility but not
renaming an existing facility or street.
Mayor Kishimoto supported the motion of moving forward for review by the
Policy and Services Committee.
Council Member Morton stated he would oppose the motion.
HOT,:ON PASSED 7-2 Klein, Morton no.
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES
Council Member Beecham reported he attended the California Energy
Commission meeting last week in Sacramento to testify on compliance with
SB1386 and Palo AIto’s efforts on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Council Member Barton stated he also traveled to Sacramento last week to
the League of California Cities Environmental Qualib/Committee on Climate
Change. The committee was unable to come to an agreement because of
disagreement whether climate change was actually occurring.
Council Member Cordell noted she requested the New York Times front page
article be at places that evening, which was entitled "Unfilled City Manager
Posts Hint at Future Gap" and included a photo of Frank Benest. She also
referred to the article in the San Jose Mercury News regarding police
departments and the public record act and requested more information on
that article.
01/16/07 17
ATTACHMENT C
CITY OF PALO ALTO
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
February 13, 2007
Policy and Services Committee
Council Members Cordell and Drekmeier
Request To Consider Renaming A Park Or City Facility In Palo Alto In Honor Of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. And Coretta Scott King
RECOMMENDATION
We are asking for your support in directing City staff to further explore the possibility of renaming a
suitable City park, plaza or facility in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
BACKGROUND
As was discussedin our January 16, 2007 colleague’s memorandum, we suggested honoring and
recognizing the lives and legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King through the
renaming of a Palo Alto street as "King Boulevard."
Staff has investigated the feasibility of re-naming the Oregon Expressway as one alternative. Staff
has subsequently learned that in accordance with Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Policy
Section 7.2 (G), County-owned expressways can not be re-named. Palo Alto City Policy 1-15
(Naming of City Facilities) provides criteria for re-naming City facilities, such as parks, plaza, and
buildings. The naming criteria encourages names which "reflects the City’s ethnic and cultural
diversity." The process to nominate a new name for a facility includes the referral of the re-naming
nomination to the Palo Alto Historical Association to evaluate the suitability of the name with the
park or facility. Similarly, City Policy 1-16 (Naming of City Streets) outlines a process for involving
the Historical Association in the selection of new street names. Staff has cautioned that re-naming
a City street has disadvantages including risks to public safety in confusion of a street name (for
emergency response), inconvenience to the residents of the street who must process change of
address notices, and significant expenses to businesses of the street who must also modify
advertising, promotion and letterhead materials. The City’s Computer Aided Dispatch System and
Geographic Information System would also need to be reprogrammed and cross-references
established, a significant workload issue.
In order to identify a suitable City fadlity or street that might be appropriate for renaming in honor of
the Kings, we ask that staff be directed to work with the Palo Alto Historical Association to
nominate a park, plaza, City facility or street to be renamed. We would encourage staff and the
Historical Association to consider naming the City Hall Plaza, re-naming Lytton Plaza, the
Friendship pedestrian bridge bebNeen the Palo Alto Baylands and East Palo Alto, the Main Library
or the Baylands Athletic Center as appropriate alternatives.
As part of the re-naming process, staff would retum to the Policy and Services Committee with a
recommendation that outlines the compelling reason the facility was nominated.
ATTACHMENT D
MOTION: Council Member Cordell moved, seconded by Drekmeier, that the
Policy and Services Committee recommend to the City Council approval of a
policy addressing agreements for the public notification of shared use of
dedicated parkland.
MOTION PASSED 3-0, Kleinberg absent.
Colleague’s Memo from Council Members Cordell and Drekmeier
regarding the Request to Consider Renaming a Park or City Facility in
Palo Alto in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, .lr. and Coretta Scott King
Council Member Drekmeier commented the initial request was for staff to
investigate renaming a street for the King Family, but it has been determined it
would be more appropriate and meaningful to rename a City facility such as,
City Hall Plaza, Lytton Plaza, the Friendship pedestrian bridge between the Palo
Alto Baylands and East Palo Alto, the Main Library or the Baylands Athletic
Center.
Council Member Cordell stated the first choice would be to rename City Hall
Plaza because-it is a free speech zone and where many rallies take place. Staff
would work with the Historical Association to review this selection and bring a
recommendation back to P&S.
Council Member Drekmeier stated, and the Committee recommended, art be
incorporated in the Plaza that reflects the Kings.
MOTION: Council Member Cordell moved, seconded by Drekmeier, to direct
City staff to further explore the possibility of renaming the City Hall Plaza in
honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King and return to the
Policy and Services Committee with a recommendation.
MOTION PASSED 3-0, Kleinberg absent
4. Council Referral of Draft Public/Private Partnership Policy
Assistant City Manager Harrison referred to the matrix, which defined the
various types of public/private/non-profit partnerships and provided examples
of each type.
Director of Community Services Richard ]ames noted the original intent was to
review all types of partnerships and attempt to formalize or codify some of
them.
02/13/07 2
Attachment E: Report from the Palo Alto Historical Association
Policy & Services Meeting - June 26, 2007
PALO ALTO
Lan~.~arl-,’-s and Streets Co_<~mittee
Paio Alto Eistorical:<==~==c:~::~-’<~ Landmarks and Streets CoKr.ittee was
asked :o co~.ent in reference :o historical background for possible
street, plaza, mark, or city facilities that have been~-~=~,~=~t=d~ as
sites :o be named in honor of Coretza and Hartin Luther King Jr. The
~c:~’s cor~.ents are as follows:
’±’he b~.<~.=~t~ first discussed whether there were any :<nown mub!ic
ioca:ions in Palo Alto with a direct association to either :he civil
riGhg~ movement o-- :he !@:~0’s and i960’s or to Dr and 7,st<KinG.TO
our ’<n~,;~=~= there are none,with the exception of University
Avenue :hat was the route of a m~oc=<<{or~ when Martin Luther Kip.c
Jr. was assassinaEed in i968.
We =hen looked am :he su@gested locations, none of which have a
direct association with the Kings. Of those suggesned locations, the
cosm~ittee would oppose:
l) Renaming a snree= which would create a hardship particularly on
businesses but also on residences on that snree:, and could cause
confusioh with emergency services until the new name became well
established.
2) The main library on Neweil Road as there is already a library
named after Dr. King in San Jose: the Dr. Marnin Luther King Jr.
Library. Having two libraries within :he Santa Clara Counny library
system with the same or a similar name could create confusion.
3) E1~,.=~-m~ ~°;r%--~. which is strongly associa:ed with smorts_ , as the
Kings and their work are not, and which currently honors Paio Alto
athletes in an Ob~pic Redwood Grove as wel! as with a m!amue on the
scorekeepers box honoring a veteran Paio Alto softball player.
4) Bayiands Athletic Center :hat has the same cons:taints as E1
Camino Park.
o Suggested locations c,~.=~u saw no objection ~o:
!) Lytton Plaza Park located on University Avenue in downtown Palo
Alto. This park has been used as a gathering mlace to express ominions,
although no: always in a meacezu± manner. Lytton Plaza is
short :erm .... res{dent of Paio Am:o,-’~ banker ~:~=~+ Lv:ton,~ who owned a bank
acros: ..... *he street He created :he s:=s=~--- in the early !960’s to hold art
diso!avs a~ :-:~- ~ -’"..~ :=&:=, ane ~o create a pleasan: vista zrom his bank in
1975 the City acquired the Plaza from Great Western Savings and Loan
who then owned the property. Park dedication occurred in 1982. Attached
is the nzscorv of Lytton Plaza zrom ~.~=. s mooKme: Parks of Paio
The name Lytton has no connection with Lvt:on Avenue located a block
away on the other side of Universit~ ~ve~ue. Lytton Avenue is named for
Edward ~=~,=~ ..... ;"*~+~=v~-~_ E~c~sh_.~__ ~v~==~~-~=~ and author of The Las~ Days_ o~_
Page 1 of 2
Attachment E: Report from the Palo Alto Historical Association
Policy & Services Meeting - June 26.~ 2007
Paio Alto Historical Association, Land~marks and Streets Com~.ittee
~=.~_ on a location to honor Dr. an~ Mrs ~ng, continued
2) City Hall Plaza another gazhering nlace in the downtown area
where opinions can~ have been :r~e=.~ = ~ ~’- expressed, again no: a~=~s’
in a neacefui manner. City Hall Plaza omened in
3} Creation of a contemplative reading area dedicated :o the Kings
on the Mitchell Park Library si=e when <ha: building is rebui!r or
remodeled. The conZemp!arive nature of :he setting would be in
keeping with Dr. King’s promotion of peace and non-violence and wi:h
Correta King’s subsequent work.
Chair, Landmarks and Stree:s Committee
~ri! 4, 2007
......m~<b< of Paio ~7~, ~ub . by Paio Alto Historical Associa:ion 1983,
updated_~01~
Lvtron Park Plaza, page 45 - excerpt
"!n the early i960’s, Lytton Plaza was built by banker Bart Lytton
across Emerson Street from his bank for the purpose of ho!din~ art
displays and fairs ..... However in the turbulent ~970’~, loud rock concerts
and unruly demonstrations held there became a mroblem. The police were
hamstrung in dealing with these nuisances by the peculiar iema!
situation: Lytton Plaza’s quasi-public nature kept tresmass laws from
applying, while its private ownershim precluded invoking cit%~ park
ordinances. Mr. Lytton’s bank was later taken over by Great Western
Loan Association, which had no in:erest ~n the plaza ....
1975, the City Council voted to buy the promertv +~ .... m~ eminent doma{n
procedures. By :hen it had been sold ~o~ Hilton :~__~<:~=r~, who ~s=~ ~
build condominium apartments on <he property. The purchase price was
<154,000, and the city took title in October ~: o---~ ~=~p-+~n
in 1982."
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