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Home My WebLink AboutStaff Report 3.F 11/07/2005CITY OF PGTALUI IAS CALIFORNIA AGENDA BILL 3.F November 7, 2005 Agenda Title: Meeting Date: November 7, 2005 Resolution naming the McDowell Park multiuse field Joe Verdu Field Meeting Time: ❑X 3:00 PM ❑ 7:00 PM Category (check one): ❑X Consent Calendar ❑ Public Hearing ❑ New Business ❑ Unfinished Business ❑ Presentation Department: Director: Contact Person: Phone Number: Jim Carr Jim Carr (707) 778-4380 Parks and Recreation Cost of Proposal: N/A Amount Budgeted: N/A Account Number: N/A Name of Fund: N/A Attachments to Agenda Packet Item: Correspondence received requesting naming the McDowell Park Field "Joe Verdu Field." Resolution naming the nmlti-use field at McDowell Park "Joe Verdu Field." Summary Statement: The Parks and Recreation Department has received written requests to name the multi -use field at McDowell Park after Joe Verdu, a founding director and long tens president of the Petaluma Youth Soccer League during the 1970's. Mr. Verdu was also involved in Petaluma Valley Little League, serving in a variety of capacities. Recommended Citv Council Action/Suggested Motion: Recommend approval of the proposed resolution to name the McDowell Park multi -use field Joe Verdu Field. Reviewed by Finance Director: ReviewedJa*;PW ,Attornev: At Date: bl i odav's Date: Revision # and Date Revised: File Uode: 2 3 4 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA Resolution to name the McDowell Park Multi -Use Field Joe Verdu Field AGENDA REPORT FOR November 7, 2005 1. Executive Summary Staff has received correspondence suggesting the naming of the multi -use field at McDowell Park after Joe Verdu, a founding Director and long term President of the Petaluma Youth Soccer League during the 1970's. Mr. Verdu was also heavily involved in Petaluma Valley Little League during this period of time. He served at various levels within both organizations. 2. Backeround: Mr. Joe Verdue was a founding Director of the Petaluma Youth Soccer League, serving as league president from 1975 to 1978. He served on the McDowell Soccer club for a number of years. He was also a coach, and vice chairman of the California Youth Soccer Association. Mr. Verdu also served on the board of directors of the Petaluma Valley Little League in the 1970's. In 1978 he was awarded the Petaluma Community recognition Citizens Award, and the following year received the California Parks and Recreation Society District One Outstanding Service Award. MR. VERDU PASSED AWAY ON NOVEMBER 5, 2003. Staff has discussed the proposal of naming the McDowell Soccer Field after Mr. Verdu with Kevin McDonnell, current President of PYSL, who supported the idea, commenting that many members of the current board were playing soccer when Mr. Verdu was part of the organization. Criteria for naming public facilities allow for service recognition of an individual whose contributions had a recognized direct positive effect on the community. Mr. Verdu's efforts, especially in the start of organized soccer in Petaluma and the further development of Little League meet this criteria. The Recreation, Music and Parks Commission, at their October 19, 2005 meeting, recommended that the City Council name the multi -use field at McDowell Park "Joe Verdu Field." 3. ALTERNATIVES a. Name the field after Mr. Verdu as proposed b. Name another facility after Mr. Verdu c. Take no action at this time 4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS: None at this time. Staff will work with local friends to raise funds to purchase a memorial plaque that can be installed at the multi -use field. 1 2 3 4 .5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 5. CONCLUSION: There is no doubt that Mr. Verdu contributed to his community. His efforts on behalf of the youth of the Petaluma community were instrumental in the early stages of development for both soccer and little league. 6. OUTCOMES OR PERFORMANCE' MEASUREMENTS THAT WILL IDENTIFY SUCCESSOR COMPLETION: Work with friends and neighbors of Mr. Verdu to purchase and install the appropriate plaque. 7. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend approval of the proposal to name the multi -use field at McDowell Park after Joe Verdu, longtime activist for the youth of Petaluma. 5: McDowell Park Joe Verdu CC 1 3 4 5 6 Resolution Naming 7 The McDowell Park Multi -Use Field 8 Joe Verdu Field 9 10 WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma owns McDowell Park, a facility that is used I 1 extensively by the youth of Petaluma; and 12 13 WHEREAS, during the 1970's, Mr. Joe Verdu was instrumental in establishing the 14 Petaluma Youth Soccer League and the Petaluma Valley Little League Programs; and 15 16 WHEREAS, due to his efforts on the local and state levels to insure the success of such 17 youth programs, Mr. Verdu was recognized by his community and the California 18 Parks and Recreation Society for his service to youth; and 19 20 WHEREAS, the Recreation, Music and Parks Commission recommends to the City 21 Council that the multi -use field at McDowell Park be named after Mr. Verdu due to his 22 service to the youth of the community. 23 24 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Petaluma City Council does hereby 25 name the multi -use field at McDowell Park the Joe Verdu Field. M Ron Robb 2112 Sultana Drive Petaluma, CA 94954-3882 (707)763-1601 rcrobbI a,comcast.net The Parks & Recreation Department The City of Petaluma 320 North McDowell Boulevard Petaluma, CA 94954 Re: Joe Verdu June 28, 2005 Dear Sirs: I understand that JOE VERDU has been nominated as a possible candidate for the renaming of McDowell Field. Joe served on the Board of the Petaluma Youth Soccer League from 1975-1978 and the McDowell Soccer Club for several other years. Joe received the California Park and Recreation Department's Outstanding Service Award in 1979. He also served as Vice Chairman of the California Youth Soccer Association from 1980- 1983 - He was a board member of the Petaluma Valley Little League for several years. He had been involved in youth soccer since before I fust met him in 1970. I served on the Board with Joe and we coached one of the McDowell Celtic soccer teams together for several years. Joe spent many more years in youth soccer than I, actually more years than it took to see his eight boys through the program. Joe gave a lot of his time to the youth of Petaluma in various capacities and was always ready to help wherever he was needed. Joe passed away almost two years ago. I was fortunate to have known him for 33 years and conside ed hirnxto,be.a friend I could always depend on_ Considering the above information and my personal knowledge of Joe, I heartedly support renamingMcDowell,Field for JOE VERDU. Sincerely, Ron Rob THE MARCHANTS 744 Ely Boulevard South Petaluma, CA.W954 Tel: (707) 763-9114 - E/Mail: PMARC11898@AOL.COM The Parks & Recreation Department. The City of Petaluma. 320 North McDowell Boulevard_ Petaluma CA 94954 Dear Sirs: It is my understanding that the Parks and Recreation Department are currently considering either the re -naming of an existing park, or the naming of a new facility, and it is being considered that this field be named after a prominent member of the community who has played a major role in youth sports,. As an ex founding Director of the Petaluma Youth Soccer League, I would like to take this opportunity of proposing the name of Mr Joseph (Joe) Verdu who was the President of PYSL for number of years in the 80s, and who was heavily involved in both Baseball and Softball and other youth progromes. Joe had a number of sons all of who played in various city leagues. Joe unfortunately Passed away last year_ Trusting you will give this suggestion your kind consideration, I remain, Since J,UI11, 6 JUN 27?P" PARKS d RECREATION DEPARTMENT