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sr-030910-8aCity Council Meeting: March 9, 2010 Agenda Item: ~" To: Mayor and City Council From: Barbara Stinchfield, Director, Community and Cultural Services Subject: Recommendation to Commemorate the Contributions of Former Mayor Herb Katz and Environmentalist Dorothy Green Recommended Action Staff recommends that City Council: 1. Commemorate former Councilmember and Mayor Herb Katz by naming the off- leash area of Joslyn Park, Herb Katz Dog Park; and 2. Commemorate environmentalist Dorothy Green by changing the name of Beach Park #1 to Dorothy Green Park. Executive Summary In June 2009, City Council requested that staff make recommendations for commemorating the life and achievements of former Councilmember and Mayor Herb Katz and environmentalist Dorothy Green. Staff has conferred with the Katz and Green families, conducted awell-publicized public survey, and sought guidance from the City's Recreation and Park Commission. The response from the Recreation and Parks Commission, the public survey, and the Katz and Green families showed support for naming the off-leash area of Joslyn Park after Herb Katz and changing the name of Beach Park #1 to Dorothy Green Park. Staff recommends that in addition to changing the park signage, .permanent commemoration plaques in their honor should be installed at the sites. Background The City Council adopted a policy for naming City-owned land, buildings and facilities on Julv 9, 2002 which established formal guidelines and a procedure for considering appropriate names (Attachment A). 1 Herb Katz, who passed away in January 2008, served on the City Council from 1984 to 1996, 2000 to 2008, and as Mayor beginning in 2007. He served as a member of the Planning Commission, the Architectural Review Board, the Pier Restoration Corporation, the Bayside District, and served Santa Monica College in a variety of capacities over the years. He also volunteered his time to sit on the boards of the Santa Monica YMCA and of Step Up on Second and on the Legislative Committee of the California Council of the American Institute of Architects. Until his death he was a practicing architect with his own firm, RTK Architects, Inc. Dorothy Green, environmental campaigner and founding president of Heal the Baypassed away in October 2008. Ms. Green embarked on a journey of hands-on activism and self education, becoming one of the state's most respected authorities on water quality issues and an advocate for clean oceans and sound water policy. Initially gathering a few concerned colleagues in her living room in 1985, Dorothy grew Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay into one of the region's most powerful environmental organizations. As part of the planning process for a beach wayfinding master plan, staff sought public input for naming Beach Park #1 and South Beach Park by publishing an article in the Winter issue of Seascape released at the beginning of 2009. Suggestions for new names for these beach parks were submitted by the public (Attachment B). At the June 9, 2009 Council meeting, Council directed staff to return with recommendations for memorials commemorating the life and achievements of Mayor Herb Katz and Dorothy Green. In response to Council's direction, from mid-August to mid-September, a survey was posted on the City's web page and on August 26'h an article on the survey appeared in the Santa Monica Daily Press. 100 members of the public completed the survey. Attachment C contains a summary of the results of that survey. 2 Discussion Guidelines established in 2002 direct the Council and its advisory bodies to consider commemorating persons who have "served the City, in an exceptional manner" and/or "served the State or Nation in an exceptional manner and who have an association with the City." The staff report suggested that recognition "may be given by installation of a plaque or appropriate signage, installation of a marker or artwork, or other means appropriate to the setting." Former Councilmember and Mayor Katz brought his two dogs to the Joslyn off-leash area every morning where he would sit on a bench at the top of the hillside and converse with other dog owners. He was a strong advocate for creating a small dog area within the dog park and advocated for a high level of maintenance as well as new enhancements. 82.1 % of the respondents to the community survey noted above were in favor of naming the off-leash dog area of Joslyn Park after Mayor Katz. This was confirmed by support from the Recreation and Parks Commission. In addition, grass- roots support from the users of the off-leash area was evident with the installation of an informal commemoration shortly after the passing of Mayor Katz. When staff spoke with Mayor Katz's wife, she was supportive of naming the off-leash area in his honor. Given Dorothy Green's contributions to Heal the Bay, a commemoration at an oceanfront location is appropriate. Public input, support from the Green family, and the recommendation of the Recreation and Parks Commission all support the renaming of Beach Park #1 as Dorothy Green Park. 86.5% of the respondents to the community survey supported naming Beach Park #1 in honor of Dorothy Green. Commission Action During its April 16, 2009 meeting, the Recreation and Parks Commission voted to send a letter to City Council asking for "the incorporation of a commemoration honoring the late Councilmember Herb Katz into the design of the Joslyn Park off-leash dog area capital improvements." Subsequently, at its February 18, 2010 meeting, the Commission unanimously approved a motion to recommend to the City Council that 3 former Mayor and Councilmember Herb Katz be commemorated by naming the off- leash area of Joslyn Park, Herb Katz Dog Park and that environmentalist Dorothy Green be commemorated by changing the name of Beach Park #1 to Dorothy Green Park and that these individuals be honored through installation of signage and permanent plaques summarizing their contributions. When funds allow, public art may be incorporated at each location to commemorate these individuals. The Commission separately asked staff to look into the process for commemorating Mayor and Councilmember Ken Genser. Financial Impacts & Budget Actions Funds for new park signs and plaques are available in accounts C016009, C116012 and C530447. Once actual commemorative costs are determined these accounts will proportionally share the expense based on available funds. Prepared by: Karen Ginsberg, Assistant Director, Community and Cultural Services Approved: Forwarded to Council: Barbara Stinchfiel~ Rod Gould Director, Community & Cultural Services City Manager Attachments: A. Summary of Naming Guidelines B. Suggestions Submitted Based on Seascape Article C. Commemoration Survey Results 4 Attachment A Summary of Naming Guidelines Adopted July 9, 2002 In naming public land and buildings, the City Council and its advisory bodies shall consider the following: Incorporating "Santa Monica" in the name where it is important for civic or other reasons for a building or facility to be identified with the City; Recognizing geographic, topographic or historical features or events associated with Santa Monica; Commemorating persons who have served the City in an exceptional manner; Commemorating persons who have served the state, nation, or world in an exceptional manner and who have an association with the City; Commemorating persons who have served the state, nation, or world in an exceptional or distinguished manner where the contribution is of such major significance that a local association pales in importance; Commemorating individuals or organizations who have made important donations of land, funds or materials, equipment and/or facilities; and Avoiding recognition of those whose contribution has been appropriately recognized in other city venues or by other means. The City Council will not name any buildings, land or facilities after current office holders. 5 Attachment B Suggestions Submitted Based on Seascape Article As part of the Park and Beach Signage and Wayfinding capital project, staff sought suggestions for naming Beach Park #1 and South Beach Park. An article published in the winter 2009 issue of Seascape asked for suggestions. Beach Park #1 Su estions Doroth Green Park Ocean Park Beach MM Beach Ocean Park Beach Doroth Green Park Famil Fun Park Doroth Green Park Charles Warren Brown Park or Charlie Brown Park (founder of Ocean Park Pacific Ocean Park or POP Herb Katz Beach Park Pacific Ocean Park. Ocean Park, Abbott Kinney, A.R. Frazer Ocean Front Park South Beach Park Su estions Doroth Green Park PP Beach Venimonica Doroth Green Park Pacific Ocean Park or POP Park Doroth Green Park Charles Warren Brown Park or Charlie Brown Park (founder of Ocean Park Doc Roth Park Ocean Park, Abbott Kinney, A.R. Frazer 6 Attachment C Commemoration Survey Results From August 18 to September 15, a survey was posted on the City's web -page. On August 26th an article in the Santa Monica Daily Press encouraged members of the public to complete the survey. 100 surveys were completed. The results show: (82.1 %) Supported naming the off-leash area of Joslyn Park after former Mayor Herb Katz (17.9%) Opposed to naming the off-leash area of Joslyn Park after former Mayor Herb Katz These suggestions for other ways to commemorate former Mayor Herb Katz were submitted: • A street or structure; a dog park alone is not enough • A musical event such as Jazz on the Lawn • Jazz on the Lawn • Change name of Airport Park • Name a bench in the dog park after his dog Amy • A substantial memorial in a public place such as the front of City Hall • Name an accessible playground in his honor • A strip mall, a storage facility, a cross walk, a speed bump, a stop sign or a manhole cover, but not a dog park • A dog park is too trite about boring • Install a plaque along with the new improvements to the off-leash area • Annual Fireworks display at SMC • Yes the dog park, but also the Herb Katz Jazz Concerts When asked about commemorating the contributions of environmentalist Dorothy Green: (86.5%) Supported naming Beach Park #1 in honor of Dorothy Green (13.5%) Supported naming South Beach Park in honor of Dorothy Green (0%) Opposed to naming a beach park in honor of Dorothy Green These additional suggestions for other ways to commemorate Dorothy Green were submitted: • Close all the storm drains • Rename the town: Santa Dorotea She lived in Westwood, so South Beach is more appropriate; Beach Park #1 should be named after Ocean Park • This is trite and boring and not a tribute 7 Green Park fits the nicely with the grassy areas of the park The bluff area near Casa del Mar Build another Beach Green and name it Dorothy Green Memorial Park The following general comments were submitted: • Dorothy Green set in motion a movement that brought attention to the problem of pollution in the Bay. She initiated and nurtured the healing process. • Two fine people who did so much for our community and they deserve this recognition. • Herb served the city for 20+ years, the dog park and Jazz on the Lawn I believe are suitable and appropriate. • It is wonderful that Santa Monica is recognizing Dorothy for the amazing work she did in cleaning up Santa Monica Bay. Thank you for this consideration and recognition of such a real-life hero and role model. • This would be a wonderful tribute to a true hero of the Santa Monica Bay. • I am so happy to hear that you are doing this in Dorothy's name! • Dorothy loved this area and I think would be greatly honored to have her name associated with it! It would also be a wonderful memento to all who loved, work with and respected her. • This would be the perfect tribute to celebrate the life of the person who has meant the most to the health of Santa Monica Bay. I hope it can be done in time to commemorate the anniversary of her passing in October. • Thank you for acknowledging the history of Dorothy Green at Ocean Park Blvd. • Thanks for doing this, it's a wonderful idea. • They will be truly missed. • Even in the moment these types of tributes are shallow and over time, ultimately pointless. • Nice to recognize these people now. • I was at the Joslyn off-leash park when it opened. While Herb was not there at the start, he did come frequently and was one who was easy to talk to, and even when his health was bad, he had good humor and a good sense of humor. He was liked by most of us, and his positive spirit is missed. To have one of the off leash areas to memorialize Herb would be great. Herb was a great Santa Monica resident. He inspired me to be a better citizen, and think and feel wholeheartedly that the park should be renamed the Herb Katz Dog Park!!!