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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item 16 -I - CITY OF'PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA. AGENDA BILL 16 • Agenda.Title: Meeting Date:- 'Proposal to Rename Hill Plaza Park After Congressional Medal of March 5,2001 Honor Bearer Richard Penry Department: Director: Con aafE erson:' Phone Number: Parks and Recreation Jim Can Jim: ', % , <'(707) 778-4380 Cost of Proposal: -0- ( Account Number: N/A Amount Budgeted: N/A /J Name of Fund: N/A Attachments to Agenda Packet Item: A. Staff Report B. Information.Packet Supplied by the Penry Committee= C. News Articles: May 11,'1994;;May`14,.1994 D. Park Naming Policy E. Resolution 'Summary Statement: The City of.Petaluma has been approached by.the Penry Committees to rename Hill Plaza Park after native Petaluman'Sgt. Richard Penry; recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and to place a memorial in the park with Sgt. Penry's name, honor and,the complete text,of the Presidential Award'. All expenses to accommodate the name change and placement of a memorial plaque in the park will be the •responsibility the Penry Committee. Council Priority: THIS AGENDA ITEM IS CONSIDERED TO BE PART OF, OR NECESSARY To, ONE OR MORE OF THE 1999-2000 PRIORITIES'ESTABLISHED'BY THE CITY ICOUNCIL ON JANUARY 30, 1999 AND'MARCH:18, 2000. Priority(s): N/A • Recommended Council Action/Suggested Motion: The Recreation: Music and Parks Commission recommend that Hill Plaza.Park be renamed after Sgt. Richard Penry, with an appropriate plaque placed in the park including Sgt..Penry's name, honor and the complete text of the Presidential Award. 'Reviewed by Finance Director: Revi• aka:taw me : A proved.by City Manager: Date/ / : r/ Date: odav's Da : Revision # ans Date • evised: File Code: N • • i • •2 CITY OF'P.ETALUMA, CALIFORNIA. 3 1Vlareli.5,.2001. • 4 AGENDA REPORT :FOR ' 6 Proposal to Rename Hill Plaza Park After Congressional•Medalvof Honor Bearer Sgt. 7 Richard Penry 8 9 1. EXECUTIVE;SUMMARY: 10 The.City of Petaluma hasbeenapproached,`to rename:Hill PlazaPark after native 11 Petaluman Sgt. Richard Penry, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. The 12 committee making the request is,comprised of friends-and relatives of Sgt Penry, all of 13 whom are local resident-S. The committee has requested:that an appropriate plaque be 14 placed in the park, with all,expenses the responsibility of the Penry Committee. 15 15 2. BACKGROUND: Sgt. Richard Penry was a native of Petaluma,.attending St. Vincent's 17 Grammar School, Kenilworth Junior High and-Petaluma High School. He was drafted in 18 the Army during the Viet=Nam Conflict, and while on tour in VietlNam distinguished 19 himself on January 31, 1970, resulting in his beingawarded`the Congressional Medal of 20' Honor (seeericlosed Presidential Award.Text).:Upon his return home, Sgt. Penry like 21 some veterans; did'have personal'problems'whichaffected his life, but they in no way can . overshadow what he did on January 31, 1970. Sgt Penry, a•5`h'generation Petaluman, died on'May 9, 1994 at the;age of 45, after a lengthy illness. 24 During the latter part of his life, Sgt. Penry would spend quiet time in Hill Plaza Park. It 25 seemed to be one place he could"find!peace. 26 The Penry Committee comprised'of family and friends:have approached the City about 27 renaming Hill Plaza ParkkaftefSgt. Penry, who is believed:to be the only resident of 28 Sonoma County to be awarded the;.Congressional Medal of Honor. The committee 29 requests placing a plaque inthe park, giving Sgt. Penry's name, his honor and the full 30 text of the Presidential Award,'all atthe•expense of theiCommittee. 31 The City's Park Naming Policy allows for-naming of public,facilities under Category "A" 32 Service Recognition:'Recognition,of individuals groups and-organizations for important 33 service contributions, which have: 34 a Had a recognized direct positive effect on the community. 35 36 Staff has checked with Mr: Dolt Lacerte, liaison for veterans!:organizations housed in 37 the Petaluma Veteran Memorial Building Ivfr Lacertehas reported that the following 38 veterans organizations,support renaming,the'park after Sgt..Penry::American Legion; 39 Disabled American Veterans, VeteranssofForeign Wars, and Viet Nam Veterans. Mr. 40 Lacerte has also indicated that the Veterans Color Guard will be°(available for the 41 dedication ceremony. 42 - At staff's request, both the City Clerk and the Petaluma-Museum'conducted historical 43 investigations regarding Hill Plaza Park"and its,naming.,Nothing Was found to suggest 4 that Hill Plaza Park was named aftenan individual, its location on a hill appears to be.,the 5 driving force forthepark's name. 1 The Recreation, Music and Parks.Commission,discussed.this!item at their January 17, III 2 2001 meeting and unanimously supported the,proposal,.and recommend-that the City 3 Council:authorize the'renaniing of HillPlaza Parktb Petry Park. 4 3. ALTERNATIVES': 5 a. Rename Hill Plaza Paricafter Sgt. Petry. 6 b. Retain the Park name of Hill Plaza Park, but place;a m emorial plaque in the park as 7 requested-by the Penry Committee. 8 c. Take no action: ' 9 10 4: FINANCIAL.IMPACTS[' 11 N/A 12 • _ 13 5. CONCLUSION: 14 'The.Penry Committee has requestedthat Hill Plaza Park be renamed afterSSgt Richard 15 Penry,;a;5th generation Petaluman.Sgt. Penry distinguished himself during the Viet Nam 16 Conflict, resulting in'his being honored by then President:Nixon, with the Congressional 17 Medal of Honor.. . 18 The park,inaming policy does allow for.the naming of public facilities after individuals• 19 who are recognized for important,service contributions to theicommunity„Mr. Penry, 20 through his actions; exemplified.the:spirit of Petaluma, placing his:life;at.:great risk,dto 21 save hisifellOW combatants. Through.his efforts he brought greatthonor on;hmiaelf and 22 his.conumunity, eventually?paying!the ultimate:price'following a:lengthy illness:. 23 6. OUTCOMES'OR'PERFORMANCEFMEASUREMENTS THAT WILL IDENTIFY SUCCESS':OR • 24 COMPLETION:, 25 26 Staff w411 work with the Penry Committee regarding<the designand,placementofan . 27 appropriate plaque, and assist in the dedication-.ceremony. Memorial'Day of this year is a 28 target date forithe'dedication. ' 29 . • 30 7. .RECOMMENDATION:,. 31 The!'Recreation. Music and'Parks Commissionerecommends,that°the City Council rename 32 .Hill Plaza Park.:after Sgt: Richard Petry, and.allowthe PenryCommittee to'place an 33 appropriate plaque in:the park• Sgt. 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Oa) .:.t'''i '4_ 11:# i.,11: ' i. 0 , . S • e4� ,..1.► .Oa e O. 4 fY'i ) The President of the United States of America,authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal':of Honor.to SERGEANT RICHARD A. PENRY UNITED STATES ARMY for conspicuous gallantry:end intrepidity in action the risk of his'life above'and'beyond the call of duty: Sergeant Richard A. Penry, Company C, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry ,199th,I;nfantry Brigade,distinguished Himself on January 31, 1970 while serving as a rifleman during,a night,ambush mission in Binh"Tuy Province, 9 • • Republic of Vietnam. As the platoon was preparing the<ambush position, it suddenly came under an intense enemy attack from mortar, rocket; and automatic Weapons rite which seriously wounded the company commander and most of the platoon membersi.;leaving-small isolated groups of wounded'.men throughout the area Sergeant Penry, seeing the extreme:seriousness.of the situation, worked his way, through the deadly enemy fire to the company command post he administered'first+aid:to the wounded company commander and other personnel. He then moved the command post to a position-which provided greater protection and visual communication and control of other platoon element's. Realizing the company radio was damaged and 3 recognizing the urgent necessity to reestablish.communications withathe battalion;headquarters, he ran outside •' the defensive perimeter through a fusillade,of hostile fire to retrieve a radio Finding,'it inoperable,Sergeant Penry returned through heavy'fire to retrieve two more radios,:Turning his attention 'to the defense of the area he crawled to the edge of the perimeter, retrieved needed ammmnition:and weapons and resupplied the wounded men, During a determined assault by over thirty enemy soldiers, Sergeant Penry occupied the most vulnerable forward'position placing heavy, activate fire on the attackingtenemyandexposing himself severaltimes•to throw hand grenades into the advancing,enemy troops, He succeeded virtually single=handedly in stopping the attack. Learning that none of the:radios were operable„Sergeant Penry again crawled outside the defensive perimeter, retrieved a fourth radio`and'established communications with higher headquarters_Sergeant Penry then continued to administer first aid to the wounded and repositioned'them to better, repel further enemy attacks, Despite . continuous and 'deadly sniper fire, he againleft the defensive perimeter, moved to within a few feet of enemy positions, located five isolated wounded soldiers, and led, them to safety: .When evacuation helicopters approached, Sergeant Peary voluntarily'left the:perimeter, set-:up-a guiding beacon;established the priorities for evacuation and successively carried eighteen wounded men to,the extraction site After all wounded personnel had been evacuated.,Sergeant Penry joined another platoon`,and assisted in,;the pursuit of the enemy. Sergeant Penry's conspicuous gallantry,and'extraordinary heroism at the;risk of his own life,are in keeping with the highest traditions of the milk ,service and reflectgreat credit on him,his unit;and,the United State's Anry. • • Ilk • '•1 • CITY OF PETALUMA. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FACILLTIESIIA.111DIGICLIAOLANILEBSICEDIRE a The City of Petaluma wishes to adopta•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 sin naming all public facilities within its jurisdiction. Objectives a. To name public facilities so that they Will be easily identified as to geographical location=and/or function. b. To encourage the dedication of land or fund's for public use by individuals/groups, in recognition of their achievements'or community=contribution. Newly acquired and/or developed park or recreation'facilities'be named:immediately after acquisition or development in order,to be identified from the.onset. A public facility may named'for=a person when the site;or facility has been donated by an individual,or a substantial donationahas been made by an individual or organization to acquire or develop a park site ofother public facility: When appropriate, a public facility can be named in honer'of'a-personwhensuch person has made major contributions;to the community. That historical name beco nsidered,when the name,is conducive to thesite. When a park site and/or recreation facility is carrying out a particular theme, that the theme may be considered for the paik and/or<recreationfacilityname. CRITERIA FOR NAMING PUBLIC FACILITIES A. Sertiee Recognition I.- Recognition of individuals, groups andorganizAtiOns for important service contributions which have: a. Had a recognized direct positive effect on the cominunity. b. Contribution by'aProfit making organization shall have been outside the normal function of theorganization. B. 'Monetary.Capital or Material.Contribution . • 1. A person,group, or organizationlnay 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 otherpublic faeility. b. The honoree has a record of outstanding citizenshiP. c. The request for specific name is made at.the time ofclonation. • . 2. When certain stipulations are connected with the naniing ofaracility,ithese stipulations slicitild;be part of an agreement or deed. Stipulations and agreements of this nature must beapproved"by,the City Cotmcil, after review and recommendation of the:City Attorney. 3. RecommendatiOns'for a.name may be subinitted in Writinfly grbtips or individnals. Recommendations mayialso come directly from City boards or tomniissions. All recommendations or:suggestions:Will bi given the same con.sideratiomWithout regard to the nornination'source,Asiong asitlie,estalilished criteria of thiS polierts observed. • 411 III PROCEDURE FOR NAMING PARKS OR RECREATION FACILITIES The City Council shall direct the Recreation, Music and Parks Commission to review and make recommendations on tlieliaming 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 consicieration. The Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the City CounciF for final approval. IV. DONATIONS . . The City Council and the Recreation,Music and Parks Com:hi:salon encourages individuals, groups, or organizations to have the ability to donate finds fort&purchase of an item within a park or recreation facility in memory of;in honor of, or in name of.man individual,group or organization. Types of items might include trees,park furniture,play equipment,facility rooms,etc. • Items purchased as specified above wilIbe identified by a plaque or marker separately from other items in the park or recreation faeility. The use of any plaque or marker wilt be regulated, styled, and handled in a tasteful manner by-the Department of Parks and Recrtation. o • • • 3 5� 6 7 8 , 9, 10 11 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL 12 AUTHORIZING THE RENAMING OF HILL PLAZA PARK AFTER 13 CONGRESSIONAL,MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT RICHARD A. 14 PENRY, AND TO PLACE A•MEMORIAL IN THE PARK. 15 16 17 18 19 20 WHEREAS, Richard A. Penry,ya25th generation-Petaluman was drafted into the United States 21 Army, and served in the Vietnam Conflict;and 22 23 WHEREAS, on January 31, 1970 Sgt. Richard A.Penry'distinguished"himself, and through his 24 efforts, saved the lives of members of his platoon;and 25 26 WHEREAS, as a result of his'extraordinary and heroic'efforts on January 31, 1970, Sgt. Richard 27 A. Penry was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by then President Richard M. Nixon; 18 and 29 • 30 WHEREAS, Richard A. Penry died on May 9, 1994 following;a lengthy illness at the early age 31 of 45, and 32 • 33 WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has been approached by the Penry Committee requesting that 34 Hill Plaza.Park, a park often frequented by Mr. Penry be renamed Penry Park in honor of 35 Sonoma County's only Congressional Medal of Honor recipient; and 36 37 WHEREAS, the Recreation, Music and Parks',Commission has deliberated on the request to 38 rename Hill Plaza Park after Mr. Peary; and recommends that the City Council authorize the 39 renaming; arid 40 41 WHEREAS,`local Veterans Organizations housed in the Petaluma Veterans Building including 42 the;Veterans-of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post 28, Disabled American Veterans and the 43 Vietnam Veterans support the proposed action, commenting that'after reading the citation "the 44 man deseryes'the honor;" and . 45 • 46 WHEREAS, the City Clerk's'Office and the Petaluma Historical-`Museum have both conducted 47 historical research regarding the original naming of Hill Plaza Park, and find that the significance 48 of the park's name is-not relafedto:any particular individual but more'to its geographical 49 location; and • 1 _ .WHEREAS,theCityof Petaluma's Facility Naming Policy does allownaming:6f public IP 2 facilities in "Recogmtibri,of individuals;,,groups,and organizations for important service 3 contributions, which have,had a recognized direct positive effect on the community:" 4 5 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT'RESOLVED,that the City'Council of the City of Petaluma, 6 recognizes the contribution that°Richard A. Penry made on behalf of his Country, and his 7 Community through his heroic'activities related to the Vietnam;Conflict, and hereby authorizes 8 the renaming:of Hill Plaza Park to Penry::Park;,and,further.;authorizes the Penry<'Committee to. 9 work with"staff and'install a memorial"plaque,in the park with Sgt. Penry's name,honorandtihe 10 full;text of the Presidential award.. 1,1 12 13 14 15 16 • 17 18 19 - • ' 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 30 32 33' 34 • 35 36 37, 38 • 39 •