SR 05-24-2022 8A
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 24, 2022
Agenda Item: 8.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David White, City Manager, City Manager's Office
Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works Department
Subject: Approval to Rename Goose Egg Park Located at 600 Palisades Avenue to
Bob Holbrook Park
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council consider the Recreation and Parks
Commission's recommendation to officially rename Goose Egg Park to Bob Holbrook
Park.
Summary
In honor of his many years of public service and contributions to the Santa Monica
community, the Recreation and Parks Commission voted to recommend renaming
Goose Egg Park to Bob Holbrook Park at its January 20, 2022 meeting (attachment A).
Former Santa Monica Mayor and Councilmember Bob Holbrook was the longest serving
Councilmember, first elected in 1990 and retiring in 2014. Mayor Holbrook was a Santa
Monica native who was particularly proud of his work to expand and invest in our City
parks and who has a particular attachment to Goose Egg Park from when he was a
child. In total, Mayor Holbrook dedicated 32 years to public service, serving both on the
City Council and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District School Board. Mayor
Holbrook passed away December 11, 2020, at the age of 79. Final decisions on
naming parks rests with the City Council. Therefore, staff now presents this
recommendation to Council for its consideration.
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Discussion
Bob Holbrook
A native son, Mayor Holbrook was born at St. Catherine’s Hospital on 4th Street and
educated in Santa Monica schools: Roosevelt Elementary, John Muir Elementary, John
Adams Middle, and Santa Monica High School. After graduating, Mayor Holbrook went
on to study at Santa Monica College (SMC), while working at McCarthy Drug Store on
Montana Avenue. After his time at SMC, Mayor Holbrook attended the University of
Southern California and studied pharmacology. He later joined the California Air
National Guard and returned to Santa Monica to work as a pharmacist at Thrifty Drug
Store. In 1967, Mayor Holbrook married Jean Ann. Together, they raised three children
in Santa Monica. As a lifelong Santa Monican who attended local schools, he remained
a passionate advocate for education. He was also an ardent supporter of his alma
mater, the USC Trojans.
Mayor Holbrook served on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board from
1982 to 1990, when he was first elected to the Santa Monica City Council. He served
as Mayor twice, first from December 1997 to December 1998 and then again from
December 2005 to November 2006. During his tenure on the City Council, Mayor
Holbrook sought ways to address homelessness and improve the quality of Santa
Monica’s public spaces. He was particularly proud of his work to expand and improve
the City’s parks. Mayor Holbrook was instrumental in building Tongva Park in the Civic
Center, and a memorial at Woodlawn Cemetery to honor local veterans, many of whom
sacrificed themselves in service of this nation. He retired from the City Council in 2014
after thirty-two years in service to this City.
In February 2018, the City Council contributed seed funding for the Mayor Bob Holbrook
Scholarship in honor of Mayor Holbrook to support the education of young Santa
Monicans pursuing a career in public service. Mayor Holbrook died December 11, 2020
after a long illness.
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Naming City Parks
In July 2002, the City Council approved a policy for naming City-owned land, buildings
and facilities, including City parks (attachment B). The policy outlines the procedure to
be taken and guidelines for naming.
Procedure
Requests for naming of City-owned land, buildings and facilities are to be submitted to
the City Clerk and include a justification for the recommended name. All requests will
be considered by staff and the appropriate Board(s) or Commission(s), who will
evaluate the recommended name within six months following receipt of a request.
Upon completion of deliberations at a public hearing, the staff and advisory body will
forward a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will make its
determination as to the naming or renaming of City-owned land, buildings and facilities
at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Council.
Guidelines
Included in the adopted policies are a set of guidelines that Council, advisory bodies
and staff should consider when naming City owned assets. These guidelines are:
• 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;
• Avoiding recognition of those whose contribution has been appropriately
recognized in other City venues or by other means.
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Staff have reviewed this policy and believes all steps have been followed to now
present this for Council consideration. The Recreation and Parks Commission held a
public meeting and discussion on the renaming of Goose Egg Park at its January 20,
2022 meeting. The Commission unanimously supported the recommendation and
submitted a letter to the City Council following the meeting.
Following receipt of that letter, staff examined the City naming policy and found
procedures were properly followed and complied with the spirit of the guidelines.
Renaming Goose Egg Park to Bob Holbrook Park complies with all of the above
guidelines. Given his considerable contributions and length of public service, staff
believes it is appropriate to move forward with renaming the park at this time.
Goose Egg Park
View of Goose Egg Park encircled by Palisades Avenue
Believed to be named because of its oval shape, Goose Egg Park is located within the
center of Palisades Avenue between 4th and 7th Streets in the North of Montana
Neighborhood. The park was included in the original 1905 neighborhood subdivision as
an aesthetic feature. It is approximately 0.7 acres and features turf and trees. It is
commonly used by residents to exercise, meditate, visit with neighbors, and enjoy Santa
Monica’s beautiful weather. Goose Egg Park was selected as the most appropriate for
renaming because of Mayor Holbrook’s personal childhood attachment and fondness
for the park.
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Next Steps
Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.55.020 “Park and beach—Definitions” and
Section 4.55.030 “Park and beach—Fitness or athletic instruction, classes or camps
authorization” would be amended to reflect the change in park name, as would the
City’s website. And the Community Services Department webpage with park information
would be updated to reflect the new name. Replacement of the existing park rules sign
to reflect the change in park name would cost $2,000-$3,500. Existing Public Works
Department budget will be used to cover these nominal costs.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Description
7/9/2002
Attachment C
Adoption of a resolution establishing a policy regarding naming of
City owned-land, buildings and facilities.
Financial Impacts
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of
recommended action.
Prepared By: Christopher Smith, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. RPC Letter to Council re Goose Egg Park
B. July 9, 2002 Staff Report on Naming City Public Facilities (Web Link)
C. Resolution on Naming City Facilities
D. Written Comments
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1685 Main Street, Room 240, Santa Monica, CA 90401 • (310) 458-
8310 • ccs@santamonica.gov
santamonica.gov • @cityofsantamonica • @santamonicacity
Recreation and Parks Commission
February 2, 2022
Mayor Himmelrich and City Council Members
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: Renaming of Goose Egg Park to Holbrook Park
Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members,
At its January 20, 2022 meeting, the Recreation & Parks Commission acted
unanimously on the Motion and concluded to change the name of Goose Egg Park to
Holbrook Park.
This letter is to petition City Council to take action regarding Goose Egg Park, we are
recommending changing the name to Holbrook Park in honor of our former Mayor
Bob Holbrook and longest serving city council member who served as a strong
advocate to improve our public parks within Santa Monica. Councilmember Holbrook
said he was also proud of the of the parks that have been built or improved under his
watch. We learned of his personal childhood attachment and fondness for Goose
Egg and determined that Park most appropriate for renaming.
Thank you for your time and consideration
Lori Brown Lori Brown
Chair, Recreation and Parks Commission cc: Recreation and Parks Commission
Andy Agle, Director of Community Services Department
8.A.a
Packet Pg. 475 Attachment: RPC Letter to Council re Goose Egg Park (5116 : Renaming Goose Egg Park to Holbrook Park)
F:\cmanager\staff rpts\reso naming public facilities.doc
City Council Meeting: July 9, 2002 Santa Monica, CA
RESOLUTION NUMBER 9779 (CCS)
City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA REGARDING
NAMING PUBLIC FACILITIES
WHEREAS, the Santa Monica City Council wishes to establish a policy regarding
naming of City owned land, buildings and facilities,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby establishes the following procedures for
the naming of City-owned land, buildings and facilities:
A. Requests for naming City-owned land, buildings and facilities may be
submitted by the public, City staff, and related advisory bodies such as the Recreations
and Parks Commission, Library Board and Landmarks Commission. The requests may
be to the City Clerk in writing, accompanied by a justification for the recommended
name(s). All requests will be referred to the Department having jurisdiction over the
land, building or facility and to the appropriate Boards(s) or Commission(s) for
deliberation. Staff and related advisory bodies will evaluate the recommended name
within six months following receipt of a request.
1
8.A.c
Packet Pg. 476 Attachment: Resolution on Naming City Facilities (5116 : Renaming Goose Egg Park to Holbrook Park)
B. Upon completion of deliberations at a public hearing, the staff and
advisory body will forward a recommendation to the City Council.
C. The City Council will make its determination as to the naming or renaming
of City-owned land, buildings and facilities at a regularly scheduled meeting of the
Council at which staff, representatives of advisory bodies and civic organizations and
the general public may offer testimony.
D. 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;
2
8.A.c
Packet Pg. 477 Attachment: Resolution on Naming City Facilities (5116 : Renaming Goose Egg Park to Holbrook Park)
Avoiding recognition of those whose contribution has been
appropriately recognized in other City venues or by other means.
E. The City Council will not name any buildings, land or facilities after current
office holders.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
3
8.A.c
Packet Pg. 478 Attachment: Resolution on Naming City Facilities (5116 : Renaming Goose Egg Park to Holbrook Park)
j'1/I/
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Michael Feinstei"
Adopted and approved this 9th day of July, 2002.
I, Maria M. Stewart, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 9779 (CCS) was duly adopted at a
meeting of the Santa Monica City Council held on the 9th of July, 2002, by the
following vote:
Ayes: Council members:Holbrook, O'Connor, Bloom, Genser
Noes: Council members:Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Feinstein
Abstain: Council members:None
Absent: Council members:Katz
8.A.c
Packet Pg. 479 Attachment: Resolution on Naming City Facilities (5116 : Renaming Goose Egg Park to Holbrook Park)
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Tom Larmore <larmore@hlkklaw.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 24, 2022 11:03 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 8A
EXTERNAL
Mayor Himmelrich and Councilmembers:
We’re very pleased to be able to support the renaming of Goose Egg Park in honor of former Mayor and Councilmember
Bob Holbrook. Bob was not only the longest serving member of the Council but was born and raised, and lived almost
all of his life, in Santa Monica and served his community in many ways, including the Council and the School Board. We
hope you will take favorable action on this item.
Tom and Karon Larmore
439 7th Street
Item 8.A 05/24/22
1 of 1 Item 8.A 05/24/22
8.A.d
Packet Pg. 480 Attachment: Written Comments (5116 : Renaming Goose Egg Park to Holbrook Park)