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).
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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!!!