HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 398-07City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL 8
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE: OCTOBER 29, 2007 CMR:398:07
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FROM POLICY & SERVICES COMMITTEE TO
REN.~VIE CITY HALL PLAZA TO "DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND
CORETTA SCOTT KING PLAZA"
RECOMMENDATION
The Policy & Services Committee recommends that the City- Council rename City Hall Plaza to
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Plaza" in honor of their combined
contributions. If the Council authorizes the renaming, staff fi,u’ther recommends that the Council
authorize staff to begin design work on an appropriate small simon or plaque for the plaza.
BACKGROUND
On June 26, 2007, the Policy & Services Cormnittee considered a report from staff that
recommended the renaming of either City Hall Plaza or LsCton Plaza in honor of the
contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King (see Attachment A). The
Committee recommended on a 4-0 vote that the City Council rename City Hall Plaza. Since that
meeting, staff has met internally to discuss the cost and timing of placing a small sign or plaque
on the plaza. If the Council authorizes the renaming of the plaza, staff would work to complete
the design and installation of this sign in time for a dedication ceremony in January 2008 to
coincide with Dr. King’s birthday.
The Committee also discussed an interest in additional public art on the plaza to commemorate
the Kings. Staff recommends that this become an item for discussion as part of any upcoming
plaza reconstruction effort, working with the Public Art Commission. This would prevent the
installation and then removal of any art during the reconstruction. However, there may be
opportunities to consider temporary exhibits (either artistic or educational) on the plaza to
recognize the Kings.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Staff recommends installation of a more permanent plaque or sign as compared to the traditional
wooden signs installed at other community parks. The estimated cost of this type of signage is
approximately $10,000. Staff recommends using existing fi~nds in CIP# PG-06003 (Benches,
CMR: 398:07 Page 1 of 2
Signage & Fencing) to pay for the design and installation work. Staff will monitor the funding in
this CIP based on work plan estimates for the year. If a need for additional funding exists, staff
will include a request along with the other mid-year budget requests.
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 enviromnental review- under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA).
Attachment A:
Attachment B:
CMR 290:07 June 26, 2007 Report to Policy & Services Committee with
attachments
Excerpt of minutes from June 26, 2007 Policy & Services Co~mnittee
meeting
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT APPROVAL:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Ke!ly Morariu
Assistmat to the City Manager
GREG BETTS
ACTING COMMU;NIT/Y--~. RVICES DIRECTOR...;..~ _ f! r ",
EMIL~ ~SON
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
CMR: 398:07 Page 2 of 2
Attachment A City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
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 RE, NAMLNG OE CITY
FACILITY TO HONOR DR. MART~ LUTHER KING JR. AND CORETTA SCOTT
KING
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Policy & Services Committee review and recommend to the City
Council the renaming of either Ly-tton Plaza or City Hall Plaza in honor of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
BACKGROU.,~D
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 & Selwices Committee. On February 13, the Policy
& Seladces Committee directed staff to further explore the possibility of renaming a City park,
plaza or facility.in honor of the Kings. Prior to review of the matter by the Policy & Selwices
Committee in February, staff investigated the feasibility- of renaming Oregon Expressway or
another City- 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 facility to be renamed and suggested the following facilities as appropriate
alternatives: City Hall Plaza; L3~on 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 Committee identified City Hall Plaza as a preferred alternative.
DISCUSSION
Staff from the Community Services Department have worked with the Palo Alto Historical
Association (PAHA) over the past few- months to evaluate these alternatives. Attachment 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 future rebuilt Mitchell Park Library. Staff agrees with the analyses
CMR: 290:07 Page 1 of 4
presented by PAHA on the Lytton 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 facility, will probably not be completed until 2009 or
later. Additionally, the City 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 Ci~ Hall plaza in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta 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 City Hall
plaza is not currently named, and is not considered a park or recreation facility, the name
nomination would not require the prior review and recommendation of the Parks and Recreation
Commission.
If, however, the Council desires to re-name L?<ton 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 belo:~. Staff from the City Attorney’s Office and Planning have
reviewed Cit), documents related to the acquisition of L3cton Plaza and were unable to identi~!
any restrictions related to the naming of this plaza.
Documentation of Past History and 3z:stifcation 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 document the reasons for the particular 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 community. A naming suggestion
form helps to standardize nominations.
The Palo Alto Historical Association reviews the suggested park or facility naming to assess the
historical or geo~aphical context of the name.
Role of Advisory Commissions or Committees in Revieu, ing .b~ames: The Parks and Recreation
Commission has a role in the review- of names for parks, City-ow~ned lands and recreation
facilities; the Library Advisory Commission has a review role in names for libraries; the Public
Arts Commission in names 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 Commission or Committee provides a forum for public comment, ensures that the name of
the park or facility properly reflects the histo~, and culture of the neighborhood or user group
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 2of4
where the park is located. Seven city parks that have been renamed in honor of individuals
originally had geographic names, such as Meadow Park, Mayfield Park and A_rnaril!o Park.
After the death of Lucie Stern, the Palo Alto Community Center was renamed the Lucie Stern
Community Center in honor of the benefactor of the center and man?; 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 community. In cases where the test of
time indicates that a person was unsuitable or that there is not a proper historical connection
between the park and the individual, a new name 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 kno’~,~ than small neighborhood or mini-parks.
City policy discourages the renaming of existing park or recreational facilities, particularly one
whose name has regional significance, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, and no other
new facility or portion of an existing park or facility 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 dofie
when the person orpersons have made "major, overriding contributions to the City and whose
distinctions are as yet unrecognized." 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 faciliw, 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 City of Palo Alto? or
2. Has the person(s) made substantial contributions to the betterment of a specific facility or
park, consistent with the established standards for the facility? or
3. Has the person(s) made substantial contributions to ihe advancement of recreational
opportunities within the City of Palo Alto?
RESOURCE IMPACT
The most significant resource impact of renaming either Lyt-ton Plaza or City Hall Plaza will be
any necessary signage changes or changes to publications referencing the names of either plaza.
This may- be more significant 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 Ci~ may" want to consider installation of a more permanent plaque or sign as
compared to the traditional wooden signs installed at other community parks. The estimated cost
of this type of signage is approximately $10,000. If the Committee directs staff to proceed with
the renanaing of either plaza, staff will further research and refine this estimate. Any 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 proj ect requiring environmental review under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA).
’Attachment A:
Attachment B:
Attachment C:
Attachment D:
Attachment E:
January 16, 2007 Colleagues’ Memo
Excerpt of minutes from January 16, 2007 Council meeting
February 13, 2(307 Colleagues’ Memo to Policy & Services Committee
Excerpt of minutes from February 13, 2007 Policy & Services Committee
meeting
Report from the Palo Alto Historical Association regarding renanaing
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
DIRECTOR
~A)RRISON
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 Amer.icans.
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
MOTION: 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 serve 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.
INCORPORATED INTO MOTION WITH CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND
SECONDER 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.
MOTION WITHDRAWN BY MAKER AND SECONDER.
MOTION: 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 consider 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.
MOTION 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 Alto’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 Quality 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 discussed.in 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 facility 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 bddge between 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 Requestto Consider Renaming a Park or City Facility in
Palo Alto in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, 3r. 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 becauseit 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, ]r. 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 HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Landmarks and Streets CoK~mittee
Paio Alto Historical Association’s Lan6marks and Streets Committee was
asked to comment in reference to historical background for possible
street, plaza, park, or city facilities that have been suggested as
sires to be named in honor of Coretta and Martin Luther King Jr. The
Co~Littee’s com~ments are as follows:
The Committee first discussed whether there were any known public
locations in Palo Alto with a direct association co either the civil
r~nts .....~.~=~ of nhe igs0’s and 1960 s or to Dr. and Mrs King. To
our K~o~±~~ "-’-~ there are none, °:~_~ the exception o~_ University
Avenue than was the route of a n~oc=<¢ion when Hartin Luther Kinc
Jr. was assassinated ~n 1~..
We then looked at the suggested locations, none of which have a
direct association with ~he
comm~ittee would oppose:
!) Renaming a street which would create a hardship particularly on
businesses but also on residences on that street, and could cause
confusioh with emergency services until the new name became well
established.
2) The main library on Newe!! Road as there is already a library
named after Dr. King in San Jose: the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Library. Having two libraries within the Santa Clara County library
system with the same or a similar name could create confusion.
3) E1 Cam!no Park which is s:rongly associaned with sports, as the
Kings and their work are no<, and which currently honors Pa!o Alto
athletes in an O!~.pic Redwood Grove as well as with a plaque on the
scorekeepers box honoring a veteran Pa!o A!to softball player.
4) Baylands =~_=e~c Center that has the same constraints as El
Cam!no Park.
¯Suggested locations the Cos~ittee saw no objection to:
!) Lytton Plaza Park located on H~i~_~=__~y ~_~--= ....in downtown Pa!o
Alto. ~~,¯ -~=s park has been ~ed as a gathering place to express opinions
although not~:w=y= ..... in a meaceful_ manner. Lvtton~ Plaza _~ named for _
short term resident of Pa!o Alto, banker Bart Lytton, who owned a bank
across the street. He created the plaza in the early !960’s to hold art
~= ~-nt " ’ from his bank.displays and fairs, and to create a p_~a~=~, vista
1975 the City acquired the Plaza from Great Western Savings and Loan
who then owned the property. Pa<k dedication occurred in 1982. Attached
is the history of Lytton Plaza from PAHA’s booklet Parks of Pa!o Alto.
The name Lytton has no connection with Lytton Avenue located a block
away on the other side of University Agenue. Lytton Avenue is named for
Edward Bulwer-Lyttton English novelist and author of The Last Days of
Pommel!.
Page I of 2
Attachment E: Report from the Palo Alto Historical Association
Policy & Services Meeting - June 26, 2007
Palo Alto Historical Association, Landmarks and Streets CoKtmittee
Cos~ments on a location to honor Dr. and Mrs. King, continued
2) City Hall Plaza another gathering place in the downtown area
where opinions can and have been freely expressed, again not always
in a peaceful manner. City Hall Plaza opened in 1968.
3) Creation of a contemplative reading area dedicated to the Kings
on the Mitchell Park Library site when that building is rebuilt or
remodeled. The contemplative nature of the setting would be in
keeping with Dr. King’s promotion of peace and non-violence and with
Correta King’s subsequent work.
Carol Murden
Chair, Landmarks and S:reets Com~itt.ee
Amri! 4, 2007
Parks of Paio Alto, pub. by Pa!o A!to Historical Association 1983,
updated 1996
Lytton Park Plaza, page 45 - excerpt
"in the early !960’s, Ly%ton Plaza was built by banker Bart Lytton
across Emerson Street from his bank for the purpose of holding art
displays and fairs. However in the turbulent i970’s, loud rock concerts
and unruly demonstrations ne!c there became a problem. The police were
hamstrung in dealing with these nuisances by the peculiar legal
situation: Lytton Plaza’s quasi-public nature kept trespass laws from
applying, while its private ownership precluded invoking city park
ordinances. Mr. Lytton’s bank was later taken over by Great Western
Savings and Loan Association, which had no interest in the plaza, in
1975, ~he City Council voted to buy the property through eminent domain
procedures. By then it had been sold to Milton iverson, who planned to
build condominium apartments on the property. The purchase price was
Si54,000, and the city took title in October 1975. Park dedication was
in 1982."
Page 2 of 2
Attachment B
parameters. That is the objective of the Block Coordinator. PAN is trying to get
the same form of best practices in every neighborhood.
Council Member Drekmeier stated he liked the idea of uniformity. He wondered
if this could be done online by going to a website and checking resources.
Ms. Ashton replied that is a possibility. There is a person identified who is
willing to build a form to capture data and put it into a spreadsheet or database.
Council Member Drekmeier stated it is a great report with a lot of information.
He asked about the process for training staff and if there would be annual
training.
Ms. Cimino replied monthly training has been started on these new checklists
using the Incident Command System in the EOC. We have brought in each
section for their own review of their responsibilities and their assignments: We
are now at the point where we are going to start mixing some of them and
bringing them into the EOC. We will bring in finance and logistics this month.
Next month we will bring in planning, then operations and then before
November, we have a full EOC tabletop before we actually bring up the
functional EOC, the field and the POD, and the volunteer center for the Golden
Guardian exercise.
Ms. lVlorariu said testing in the summer or the fall in preparation for Golden
Guardian has been discussed.
MOTION: Council Member Cordell moved, seconded by Drekmeier, that the
Policy and Services Committee recommends to the City Council for approval,
with any suggested changes, the City’s revised Emergency Operations Plan and
present the final plan to Council on or before the end of December.
MOTION PASSED 4-0.
Council Member Kleinberg mentioned there would be an opportunity to
collaborate with Menlo Park in their EOC, which would be cost effective. Menlo
Park’s EOC is large and well-equipped, and they already have it set up for Palo
Alto. She encouraged moving aggressively on this collaboration.
Ms. Morariu stated the EOP will come back to the full Council in the form of a
CD instead of hard copy.
Direction on Recommendations for Renaming of City Facility to
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King _It. and Coretta Scott King
P&S - 06/26/2007 5
Fred Balin, :2385 Columbia Street, referred to his e-mails regarding a King
Memorial at City Hall Plaza and spoke in favor of the issue.
Council Member Cordell stated she would like to see City Hall Plaza renamed, as
opposed to Lytton Plaza. City Hall Plaza is a more appropriate setting and there
would be less money involved in renaming it.
Council Member Drekmeier agreed that City Hall Plaza is more appropriate. The
Plaza is a place where people gather and have demonstrations and social
activities. ]:t would be less burdensome to change the name as opposed to
Lytton Plaza. If the Committee moves forward on this, he would like to discuss
a recommendation to include public art in the project. Adding public art would
signify that this is King Plaza and an important part of our community. He
would also like to discuss an activity, perhaps on King’s birthday or another
appropriate date, to officially open the new Plaza. This ceremony would not
necessarily have to be City driven; rather, it could be something the community
responds to.
Council Member Kleinberg stated she prefers Lytton Plaza. She noted the cost
would be minimal and Lytton Plaza would be an important site because it is in
the heart of the downtown area. She felt installing the signage on City Hall
Plaza would be a problem because the Plaza is used for so many different
purposes. If Lytton was selected to be the King Plaza, it would not be used for
a lot of different things.
Council Member Barton stated that, symbolically, City Hall Plaza is a much
better location. He shares the idea that it should not just be the name, but
there should be some public art included. The Committee could give some
direction to the Public Arts Commission
Council Member Cordell stated she felt that Civic Center Plaza was the place
that would be the utmost tribute to the Kings. She supports the idea of having
a piece of public art.
Council Member Drekmeier inquired whether the Committee should be
recommending one place over another or if this was something for the full
Council. He favored the idea of an annual event, of people gathering and then
taking the Freedom Train.
Council Member Cordell said she felt strongly about moving forward now with
the recommendation to rename City Hall Plaza.
P&S - 06/26/2007 6
MOTION: Council Member Cordell moved, seconded by Drekmeier, that the
Policy and Services Committee recommends to the City Council to rename City
Hall Plaza in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King It. and Coretta Scott King.
MOTION PASSED 4-0.
Council Member Drekmeier inquired about adding for the record the
Committee’s interest in public art.
Council Member Kleinberg stated the Council does not tell the Public Art
Commission (PAC) what to do.
Council Member Barton reported he is the liaison to the PAC and would report
that art has been suggested.
Council Member Kleinberg stated she would also like to find ways to connect
what the Kings did and their life work with Palo Altans.
Ms. Morariu stated one of the issues would be signage, which would provide the
opportunity to allocate money for the project.
Council Member Drekmeier noted Mr. Balin sent an interesting e-mail about his
research into Palo Alto’s connection with the Civil Rights Movement and Dr.
King. This would be good information for local historians.
Council Member Cordell reported another resource would be Palo Alto resident
Clay Carson, a professor at Stanford. Mr. Carson runs the King Institute.
Consideration of a Policy Concerning Communications with the City
Council and City Council Candidates Concerning the Upcoming Bid
for Refuse Hauling
City Auditor Sharon Erickson said originally there was a City Auditor’s report on
the PASCO contract that went to the Finance Committee and then to a
Colleague’s Memo co-authored by Council Member Corde!l.
Council Member Cordell stated this came as a result of reviewing the report with
the City Auditor with a recommendation to adopt a code of conduct for the
upcoming bid for refuse hauling. The Council voted to refer it to Policy and
Services. Council Members are following a trend set this past year for
transparency in government. All it requires is that elected officials disclose any
potential conflicts. It requires disclosure by City Council candidates if they are
getting money from potential proposers who want to get these contracts. It
also discourages and requires disclosure of non-public meetings between those
P&S - 06/26/2007 7