Title
Staff Report for City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee Discussion and Possible Action to Recognize Former Mayor Tony Santos According to Title 1 Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee make a recommendation to the City Council on the naming or renaming of a public structure or facility after former Mayor Tony Santos, or other form of recognition, according to the procedures in Title 1 Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code.
BACKGROUND
On April 15, 2019, the City Council directed staff to schedule a discussion at the Rules Committee and/or Facilities Committee of how to formally honor Mayor and Councilmember Tony Santos who passed away on April 15, 2019.
Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code (Attachment 1) provides the procedures for naming/renaming properties and facilities such as a building, structures, parks, public rights of way, recreation areas, individual rooms in City facilities, and the renaming of City streets, to celebrate those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the City.
In the case of an individual who is deceased, the following guidelines apply:
• The individual for whom a facility is to be named must be deceased at least one hundred eighty (180) days;
• 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.
Background Information on Tony Santos’ contributions to the City of San Leandro
Former Mayor Santos served eight years on the City Council from 1984-1988 and again from 1988 until 1992. He returned to the Council in 2000 and served until 2006 when he was elected mayor. He served as mayor from 2006-2010.
During his tenure, Mayor Santos was instrumental in a variety of projects and initiatives including the approval of the Senior Community Center that today serves thousands of visitors each year; the construction of the public parking garage on Estudillo Avenue as a means to foster economic development and revitalization of the downtown; and creation of the Kaiser Permanente campus which ultimately brought an underutilized site into productive use, creating approximately 2,600 permanent new jobs.
He was a champion for those living near the Oakland International Airport who were impacted by aircraft noise and helped create the Airport Noise Forum in coordination with the Port of Oakland. He was also a tireless advocate for diversity calling for reform at City Hall to better represent the City’s changing demographics and promoting Asian and Latino representation on the City Council.
Tony Santos dedicated his time as the President of the East Bay Division of the League of California Cities, and was on the League of California Cities Environmental Quality Policy Committee. He served on a variety of internal City committees including the San Leandro Unified School District Liaison Committee, the Civic and Cultural Committee, the Disaster Council, the Joint Oakland/San Leandro City Council Committee, and the Shoreline-Marina Committee, among others.
One of the efforts he was most proud of, as retold by former Mayor Emeritus Sheila Young and City Manager Emeritus John Jermanis, was his effort to create Grover Cleveland Park. This is discussed in more detail below.
Other Structures/Facilities names 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 elected to name the City Hall South Offices Community Room after former Councilmember Surlene Grant.
Other examples of named structures or facilities include: the Maltester-Polvorosa Overpass, Dave Karp Senior Meeting Room, Luster Knight Memorial, Wes McClure Boat Launch Ramp, Mary Brown Room, Estudillo Room and Burrell Field. Each of these facilities or structures was named after an individual who made significant, notable and tangible contributions to the facility in question or to the San Leandro community at large.
Analysis
There are several possible ways to honor former Mayor Santos. As prescribed by the Administrative Code, the City Council Rules Committee is responsible for review of the name change based on the criteria outlined above. If the criteria are met, the Rules Committee may identify a structure or facility where there is a well-defined connection between the contributions of former Mayor Santos and a structure or facility in San Leandro. Other options for recognition are also discussed below.
Upon review by the Rules Committee, the matter would then be forwarded to the Library-Historical Commission, with a final determination to be made by the full City Council. The Rules Committee may also elect to request feedback from the City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee, as appropriate.
Rename Grover Cleveland Park
Grover Cleveland Park is located at the south end of O’Donnell Avenue within the East shore-Davis Street neighborhood. The site was originally two parcels, one owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bevilacqua and the other by the State Division of Highways (now known as Caltrans). The City acquired the first parcel in 1950 and the second in 1958. It is unclear the original intent of these purchases; however, records show a discussion in early 1985 by the City Council of potentially moving four housing units onto the vacant property. Shortly thereafter, on September 16, 1985, then Councilmember Tony Santos recommended that the City Council look into developing a mini-park on the property, which was located in his District. By December 1991, a contract was awarded to build the park, the first phase of which was completed in 1992. It was during this time that the “O’Donnell Property” was formally named Grover Cleveland Park, in memory of the old Grover Cleveland School, which had been located in the neighborhood.
While former Mayor Santos made many contributions during and after his tenure in office, his advocacy for creating a park at the foot of O’Donnell Street was one he was most proud of. According to those closest to him, he felt a strong connection to the park, and in his last days expressed a desire to have the park named after him.
In discussions with long-time resident Ms. Esther Collier, who lives in the neighborhood and not only worked with Mayor Santos to create the park but walked the neighborhood to garner support, Ms. Collier expressed her desire to keep the name Grover Cleveland Park but re-dedicate it in Mayor Santos’ memory.
Rename Eden Road
In 2004 the City purchased right-of-way for Eden Road through a delinquent tax sale by the Alameda County Tax Assessor. It is currently an unimproved dead-end road that serves Alco Iron & Metal Co., Phelps Auto Wreckers, a small portion of the City’s Water Pollution Control Plant, and the Port of Oakland. As the Committee is aware, the improvement of this road has been contemplated for many years. In order to pay for the design and construction, Engineering and Transportation staff have been working with the contiguous property owners to create an Assessment District that will fund roadway improvements. It is expected that the District will be formed by the end of 2019, with construction to follow in 2020-21.
Because Eden Road will be a fully-improved street once completed, the committee may wish to consider renaming the road after former Mayor Santos. While he did not expressly state his desire to have the road named after him, the property resides within his former District, and minutes from previous Council meetings indicate his full support for the project.
Rename Mulford-Marina Branch Library
The original Mulford Branch Library opened in January 1962 at 2130 West Avenue 132nd (now known as Marina Boulevard). When the Branch was relocated to its current location at the corner of Aurora and Fairway Drive, it was renamed the Mulford-Marina Branch Library to increase awareness of the marina area and to honor its geographic location. When the current branch opened in 1976, it was heralded as the City’s first round library and the first building to be constructed as a branch library.
As the Committee is aware, this branch is scheduled for a complete re-build in coordination with the Shoreline development. Staff are currently working with consulting architects to design the new building, and it is expected to be completed in late 2021. As such, should the Committee wish to rename a building in honor of Mayor Santos, the timing may be appropriate to do so with the opening of this new facility.
While it is unclear Mayor Santos’ specific affiliation with the Mulford-Marina Branch Library, other than it was in his District, City Council minutes do reflect that Mayor Santos was a staunch supporter of the library system as a whole including advocating for resources during budget season.
Should the Rules Committee wish to consider renaming the Mulford-Marina Branch Library after Mayor Santos, staff would recommend robust outreach to the surrounding neighborhood as it is well known and documented that there is a strong sense of ownership and identity to this branch library.
Mayor Emeritus
The title Emeritus is often bestowed on an individual in recognition of distinguished service, awarded only to a few upon retirement. It is also used when a person of distinction in a profession retires or hands over the position, enabling their former rank to be retained in their title, e.g., "Professor Emeritus". Three former mayors have received the title “Emeritus” including Jack Maltester, Valance Gill, and Sheila Young, though none posthumously. In 2008, it was Mayor Santos who recommended the City Council designate former Mayor Sheila Young as Mayor Emeritus. Three former City Managers have been honored with the title including, Wes McClure, Lee Riordon, and John Jermanis, again none posthumously. Finally former City Attorney Steve Meyers was given the title Emeritus for his many years of service to the City. There is no policy that governs this action.
Recommendation of the Rules Committee
On June 13, 2019, after hearing from members of the public, the Rules Committee recommended the park retain its name of Grover Cleveland Park so as not to lose the memory of the school that existed in the neighborhood but was demolished to build homes. They did suggest naming the playground or picnic area after Mayor Santos. In addition, they felt it would be appropriate to have a plaque embedded on a large rock that discussed the history of the park and that recognized both Mayor Santos and the citizens that worked so hard to create it (Attachment 3).
Current Agency Policies
Title 1 Chapter 10 - San Leandro Administrative Code
Fiscal Impacts
There are no significant fiscal impacts associated with the proposed action. Costs associated with naming a new or existing facility will not be significant and could most likely be addressed through existing appropriations. There are no costs associated with bestowing the title “Emeritus.”
Attachments to Staff Report
1. Chapter 10 of the San Leandro Administrative Code
2. List of San Leandro Structures Named After Notable People
3. Photos of Grover Cleveland Park, Eden Road and Mulford-Marina Library
PREPARED BY: Elizabeth D. Warmerdam, Assistant City Manager