Title
Staff Report for a Motion to Rename the Baseball Field within the Existing San Leandro Ball Park to the “Lou Profumo Field”, According to the Guidelines in Title 1 Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code, and to Install a Plaque in Recognition of Mr. Profumo’s Service to the Community
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The City Council directed staff to facilitate a discussion at the City Council Rules Committee regarding the recognition of Mr. Lou Profumo at the San Leandro Ball Park, acknowledging his lifetime contributions to San Leandro Youth Sports.
After discussion with both the Rules Committee and the City of San Leandro Parks and Recreation Commission, staff recommends the renaming of the Baseball Field within the Existing San Leandro Ball Park to the “Lou Profumo Field, in accordance with Title 1 Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code and installing a plaque in recognition of his service to the San Leandro community.
BACKGROUND
On December 7, 2020, after a request from several members of the public, the City Council directed staff to begin a discussion related to (re)naming or recognizing Lou Profumo at the San Leandro (Baseball) Ball Park. Mr. Profumo was a former San Leandro employee and fervent supporter of and leader within the San Leandro Youth Sports community.
Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code (Code) (Attachment 1) provides the procedures for naming/renaming properties and facilities such as buildings, structures, parks, etc. to honor those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the City. The Code specifies that the City Council Rules Committee shall review the requested name change and then forward the matter to the appropriate Board or Commission for further review and recommendation to the City Council.
The Administrative Code provides as follows:
• The individual for whom a facility is to be named must be deceased at least one hundred eighty (180) days (Mr. Profumo is still alive);
• The individual for whom a facility is to be named (or renamed) must have been one of the following:
o Long-term resident of the community or owner of a business in the community who has made significant, notable, and tangible contributions to the facility or property in question or to the San Leandro community at large.
o Elected official or employee of the City whose accomplishments and contributions to the community clearly demonstrate a commitment over and beyond that which would otherwise be normally associated with the performance of their work;
• There must be a well-defined connection between the contributions of the individual and the property or facility; and
• In the case of a request involving renaming a facility, the next of kin of the individual for whom the facility is currently named (provided that the person was a local resident) should be notified of the proposed change and given an opportunity for input before the City Council acts upon the request (does not apply).
Other Structures/Facilities named after Notable Citizens
As outlined in Attachment 2, there are many facilities or structures named after former councilmembers or distinguished San Leandro citizens. Most recently, the City Council renamed Grover Cleveland Park after Mayor Emeritus Tony B. Santos.
Other examples of named structures or facilities include: the Surlene Grant Community Room in the South Offices Facility, Dave Karp Senior Meeting Room, Luster Knight Memorial, Wes McClure Boat Launch Ramp, and Burrell Field, just to name a few. Each of these facilities or structures were named after an individual who made significant, notable, and tangible contributions to the facility in question or to the San Leandro community at large.
As prescribed by the Administrative Code, the City Council Rules Committee is responsible for review of any name change based on the criteria outlined above. If the criteria are met and the Committee feels the request is warranted, the matter is forwarded to the appropriate Board or Commission, in this case, the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Analysis
Mr. Lou Profumo began his tenure as a City of San Leandro employee in March 1964 and after 32 years retired in 1996. He returned as a part-time employee in 1998 and “retired” again in 2005. In 2017 he was inducted into the San Leandro Sports Hall of Fame.
Mr. Profumo graduated from San Leandro High School in 1956 and at age 17, was drafted into the Boston Red Sox Baseball organization, the genesis of becoming a local legend in baseball. From 1967 to 1982, as a city employee, he organized and managed a summer baseball program at the San Leandro Ballpark for kids across the City who aspired to play baseball beyond high school. According to those he coached and based on his own experience in the professional league, Mr. Profumo gave the players insight into what that would require-not just in terms of talent but in developing the discipline and dedication it would take to be successful. Looking back some 40 years playing on the teams, former players recount that playing on Mr. Profumo’s teams provided fond memories and many of the teammates remain great friends, but what stands out most over the ensuing years is how they learned what it took to be successful-in life.
Mr. Eric Nelson, speaking on behalf of those in the community that would like to name the baseball field after Mr. Profumo, relayed how Mr. Profumo treated the players not as kids, but young adults-with the firm expectation that they would learn to conduct themselves as such. Though they did not have extensive rules - be on time, be ready to play, and hustle, those rules were followed by the star players and average players alike. No one was above the team.
In true form, Mr. Profumo continues to give back to the community through the work of the non-profit Lou’s Dugout. The organization helps fund sports programs which have been impacted by budget constraints. See <https://lousdugout.com/>. The organization was founded by Mr. Profumo together with those who played or coached with him. As stated on their website, “We can't go back to the "Good Old Days", but we can help kids and young adults have their own good memories of playing sports here in San Leandro. We can offset the costs of participation, equipment, and general support to those who want to play.”
Last year, Lou’s Dugout raised $20,000 to help support organizations such as the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club, uniforms for the San Leandro High Cheer Squad, field rentals for the San Leandro Old Timers Baseball team, scholarships for the San Leandro Rhino’s Kayak team, tournament and travel expenses for the San Leandro High School Men’s Basketball team, and equipment for the San Leandro High School Women’s Softball team.
According to those in support of this effort, renaming the baseball field at the San Leandro Ball Park after Lou Profumo would honor his lifetime contributions to San Leandro youth sports and the significant positive impact on the lives of those he touched, both in and out of baseball.
Current Agency Policies
Title 1 Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code
Committee Review and Actions
On January 27, 2021, the City Council Rules Committee discussed recognizing former Baseball coach and mentor Lou Profumo. The Committee directed staff to ensure that nothing in Mr. Profumo’s past would reflect poorly on the community. Staff reached out to his previous employer within the City as well as some of his City colleagues and found nothing of concern.
Board/Commission Review and Actions
On April 7, 2021, the Parks and Recreation Commission received a presentation on the item and voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council rename the baseball field within the existing San Leandro Ball Park to the “Lou Profumo Field” and to install a plaque in recognition of Mr. Profumo’s service to the community.
Fiscal Impacts
The cost of the signs and plaque will be paid for by the community supporters of this effort.
Attachment(s) to Staff Report
1.Title 1 Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code
2. List of Facilities Named after Notable San Leandro Citizens
PREPARED BY: Liz Warmerdam, Assistant City Manager, City Manager’s Office