HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.D 06/15/2015Agenda Item #4.D
DATE: June 15, 2015
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Scott Brodhun, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution Naming the Park on East Washington Street or City Council Direction
to Extend the Park Name Nomination Period
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution Naming the Park on East
Washington Street, or in the alternative, direct staff to extend the park name nomination period.
BACKGROUND
At their regular meeting held on December 17, 2014, the Recreation, Music and Parks
Commission (RMPC) considered the necessity of naming the facility currently under
construction and known as East Washington Park. As well, the RMPC discussed the process that
should be utilized in the naming of the park should such be deemed appropriate and necessary.
The Commission determined that naming the new park was appropriate and that a public -at -large
process should be used with an emphasis on engaging likely users. An ad -hoc committee of the
RMPC was formed and included commissioners Dave Alden, Kevin McDonnell and Roger
Leventhal. The sub - committee was tasked to work with staff in developing and implementing a
public park naming process that would result in a recommendation to the full Commission by
February, 2015, and to the City Council by March, 2015.
The subcommittee developed and circulated a public invitation to solicit suggestions, and the
invitation provided naming guidelines consistent with current policy and reflective of the
RMPC's discussion related to the park naming. The RMPC expressed strong interest in a name
that would identify the location of the park in Petaluma and would signify its intended use as a
recreation/athletic site. As well, the RMPC prioritized a unique and creative result, while
discouraging names appearing to be sentimental or memorial in nature. The Commission also
expressed support for the potential of future naming opportunities of the individual fields within
the park, and agreed that such opportunities could include names in honor of community
members.
A total of 38 suggestions were received, and at their regular meeting of February 18, 2015, the
RMPC considered the recommendation of the park naming sub - committee. Following
discussion, the RMPC approved a motion to forward three name recommendations to the City
Council for consideration, identifying The Great Petaluma Sports Park as the top choice, with
alternative name options of Petaluma Adobe Sports Fields and East Washington Sports Fields.
While the RMPC took action in this regard, the recommendation was less than enthusiastic and
the action was more a result of staying on a timeline, than a reflection of strong support for the
name. Toward that end, staff recommended extending the naming period, reconvened the sub-
committee, and sent additional announcements with less emphasis on the preferred naming
criteria.
The extended period resulted in an additional 30 suggestions. At the April 15"' meeting of the
RMPC, the Commission reviewed the name recommendations forwarded by their sub - committee
that included; East Washington Sports Fields or Athletic Park; Old Adobe Sports Fields or
Petaluma Adobe Athletic Park; Petaluma Municipal Athletic Park or Petaluma Community
Sports Fields; and, River Toivn Sports Fields. As there was not overwhelming support for any of
the options, the RMPC took action to extend the naming period to run through the ribbon cutting
that was held on April 17 "' and until the May 20"' meeting of the RMPC.
DISCUSSION
An additional 22 names were submitted during the most recent extended period, bringing the
grand total of suggestions to 90. All submittals are identified in a list that is attached to this
report. At their regular meeting held on May 20th, each of the seven members of the RMPC
were asked to provide their top 2 name choices. The result was a list of 8 finalists, and those
nominations or votes are in the first set of brackets. One Commissioner submitted only 1 name,
which explains why there were 13 total votes in round 1. Each Commissioner was then given 3
votes to cast for names to be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. Not all
Commissioners used their full allotment of three, thus there were a total of 19 votes cast in that
round, and those votes are shown in the 2" a set of brackets, as follows;
• Red Rooster Park
[2]
[5]
• The Petaluma Incubator
[1]
[3]
• Rancho Petaluma Sports (or athletic) Park
[1]
[3]
• Petaluma Community Sports Fields
[4]
[2]
• Rivertown Sports Fields
[1]
[2]
• Ron Walters Sports Fields (and variations of same)
[2]
[2]
• Adobe Sports Complex
[1]
[1]
• Petaluma Community Athletic Park
[1]
[1]
In relationship to the names that received the most overall support, Commissioners supporting
the Red Rooster option cited the brevity of the name and its link to Petaluma history. Those in
support of Petaluma Incubator cited the connection to community history, the symbolism of the
park serving as an incubator for young sports enthusiasts, and the use of Petaluma as a location
identifier. The members who supported Rancho Petaluma also cited the use of Petaluma in the
name, and the link to area history. And finally, those in support of Petaluma Community Sports
Fields cited the reference to community, the use of Petaluma, and the identification of the
intended use of the site.
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The Commission forwards all of the above as options for the City Council's consideration.
Should the City Council wish, the naming period could be extended and the item considered
again at the June meeting of the RMPC, and at subsequent meetings as necessary until such time
that there is overwhelming support for a recommendation.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Costs associated with the public process were minimal and were absorbed in the Recreation
operating budget. Upon approval of the park name, appropriate signage can be designed and
installed, and costs for such are included in the project budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. List of Park Name Submissions
3. Facilities Naming Policy
3
ATTACHMENT #1
RESOLUTION NAMING THE PARK ON EAST WASHINGTON STREET
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has completed phase I of a new park located on East
Washington Street; and,
WHEREAS, the park is specifically designed to meet an unmet need for park space
sufficient in acreage and availability to keep pace with the tremendous growth and participation
in recreational sports; and
WHEREAS, phase 1 of the project includes 3, synthetic turf, lighted sports fields, and
remaining phases include baseball and softball playing fields; and,
WHEREAS, the City conducted a public involvement park naming process, soliciting
names for the new park with priority given to names that are geographically recognizable,
represent the intended use, identify Petaluma and are creative or distinctive; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of the public park naming process, ninety suggestions were
submitted for consideration; and,
WHEREAS, the Recreation, Music and Parks Commission has deliberated on the
submittals, has considered the City's facility naming policy and forwards eight options for the
City Council's consideration;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma
that the new sports park on East Washington Street shall be called
N
ATTACHMENT #2
1
Adobe Sports Complex
46
Hawks Quarry
2;<
Old Adobe Sports Complex
47'
Kite's Meadow
3
Adobe Recreation Park
48
East Dale Park
4
Adobe Athletic Fields
49
Mountain Dale Park
5
New Adobe Sports Park
50
President Park
6
Petaluma Municipal Athletic Park
51
Bliss Sports Complex
7
Petaluma Community Sports Fields
52
Chaparral Baseball Park
8 -
Petaluma Community Athletic Park -
53 ;
London Baseball Park
9C
Petaluma Championship Fields
54
Spartan Fields
15 East Washington Sports Complex 60 Prospect Park
16 East Washington Athletic Park 61 Tulme Park /Fields
17 East Hillview Park and Fields 62 Recreation Park
22
The incubator or Petaluma Incubator Park
67
Lyman Byce Park
23
Red Rooster Park
68'
Byce Dias Park
24'
Butter and Egg Fields
69
River Town Recreational Park
25 `
Kicken Chicken Park
70 `
Adobe Baseball Park
26'
Poultry Park
71
Washington Hills Sports Fields
27 `
Coop Sports Complex
72
P -Town Playfields
28
The Sports Coop in Petaluma
73
Petaluma City Park;
31
1 Tule' Flat
80
76
Let the Kids Play Petaluma Sports Complex
32
Tule Fields
Hill and Sky Recreation Park
77
Petaluma Civic Fields
33
Tule Meadows
38
78
Petaluma Vine View Park
35
General Vallejo Park -
80
Northeast Park and Fields
36
Ron Walters East Side Sports Center
81
Hill and Sky Recreation Park
37'
Ron Walters East Side Sports Complex
82
The Coop
38
Ron Walters East Side Ballpark
83
El Parque del Palacio
39
Ron Walters East Washington Sports Center
84
El Palacio "the palace" Park
40
Ron Walters East Washington Sports Complex'
85
Hacendado Park
41
Ron Walters East Washington Ballpark
86
Generalisimo Park
42 1
Schlake' Sports Fields
87
The Pasture Lands
43-
Schlake Ranch Park
88
Pasture Lands East, Recreation Park
45 I Sonoma Mountain Athletic Park 190 '1 Petaluma Gateway 'Fields- '
11
ATTACHMENT 93
CITY OF PETALUMA
FACILITIES NAMING POLICY AND PROCEDURE
092904 Park Naming Policy
The City of Petaluma wishes to adopt a uniform policy regarding the naming of existing and
future facilities. The following policy is designed to provide guidance to the City with the
subject matter contained herein.
I. POLICY
The City Council shall exercise final authority in naming all public facilities within its
jurisdiction.
A. Objectives
1. To name public facilities so that they will be easily identified as to geographical location
and /or function.
2. To encourage the dedication of land or funds for public use by individuals /groups, in
recognition of their achievements or community contribution.
Newly acquired and /or developed park or recreation facilities should be named immediately after
acquisition or development in order to be identified from the onset.
A public facility may be named for a person when the site or facility has been donated by an
individual, or a substantial donation has been made by an individual or organization to acquire or
develop a park site or other public facility.
When appropriate, a public facility can be named in honor of a person when such person has
made major contributions to the community.
That historical names be considered, when the name is conducive to the site. When a park, site
and /or recreation facility is carrying out a particular theme, that the theme may be considered for
the park and /or recreation facility name.
II. CRITERIA FOR NAMING PUBLIC FACILITIES
A. Service Recognition
1. Recognition of individuals, groups and organizations for important service contributions
which have:
a. Had a recognized direct positive effect on the community.
b. Contribution by a profit making organization shall have been outside the normal
function of the organization.
B. Monetary, Capital or Material Contribution
1. A person, group, or organization may stipulate the naming of park or other public facility
under the following conditions:
a. Contribution exceeds fifty percent (50 %) of the capital cost of the park or other
public facility.
b. The honoree has a record of outstanding citizenship.
c. The request for specific name is made at the time of donation.
2. When certain stipulations are connected with the naming of a facility, these stipulations
should be part of an agreement or deed. Stipulations and agreements of this nature must
be approved by the City Council, after review and recommendation of the City Attorney.
3. Recommendations for a name may be submitted in writing by groups or individuals.
Recommendations may also come directly from City boards or commissions. All
recommendations or suggestions will be given the same consideration without regard to
the nomination source, as long as the established criteria of this policy are observed.
III. PROCEDURE FOR NAMING PARKS OR RECREATION FACILITIES
The City shall direct the Recreation, Music and Parks Commission to review and make
recommendations on the naming of a City park or recreation facility. The Recreation, Music and
Parks Commission shall use the established criteria in assisting in their analysis of
recommending a name for the site or facility under consideration. The Commission's
recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final approval.
7
IV. DONATIONS
The City Council and the Recreation, Music and Parks Commission encourages individuals,
groups, or organizations who have the ability to donate funds for the purchase of an item within a
park or recreation facility in memory of, in honor of, or in name of, an individual, group or
organization. Types of items might include trees, park furniture, play equipment, facility rooms,
etc.
Items purchased as specified above will be identified by a plaque or marker separately from
other items in the park or recreation facility. The use of any plaque or marker will be regulated,
styled, and handled in a tasteful manner by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
S: \Facilities Naming Policy and Procedures \092904 Park Naming Policy.doc