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Home My WebLink About13 - NB-1 - Request Council Direction for the Renami - 3/16/20211 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: MARCH 16, 2021 ITEM NUMBER: NB-1 SUBJECT: REQUEST COUNCIL DIRECTION FOR THE RENAMING OF CIVIC CENTER PARK, 111 FAIR DRIVE. DATE: MARCH 11, 2021 FROM: PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION BY: JASON MINTER PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: JASON MINTER, DIRECTOR (714) 754-5009 RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Consider Waiver of the “City Parks and Facilities Naming Policy” requirement for the naming of a Park and/or facility; and 2. Consider the renaming of Civic Center Park, located at 111 Fair Drive at the corner of Fair Drive and Vanguard Way, in honor of retired Costa Mesa Police Chief Roger Neth. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to appropriate funds from the Park Development Impact Fees Fund and execute any and all actions necessary to purchase and install the signage. BACKGROUND: In February 2021, a request was received from Mayor Katrina Foley to bring forth a proposal for City Council consideration to rename Civic Center Park in honor of former Police Chief Roger Neth. Chief Neth was hired by the Department on December 15, 1953, and has the distinction of being one of the first three police officers in the City of Costa Mesa and the first officer to serve on active patrol. Chief Neth was promoted to Sergeant in July of 1954, lieutenant in 1956, and Captain in 1959, quickly rising in the Department due to his outstanding leadership skills. He was promoted to the level of Chief in 1964, serving in that position for 22 years, from 1964 to 1986. Upon his retirement, he was and still is the longest tenured Police Chief in Costa Mesa history. 2 In 1972, Chief Neth was recognized for spearheading a United Way Fund Drive that led the nation in per capita contributions for municipal employees. His commitment level to the public extended beyond the Police Department, as he was dedicated to serving the community as a whole. Chief Neth attended Newport Harbor High School, graduating in 1944. He played football and was a member of the 1942 Championship team. He was inducted into the Newport Harbor High School Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2016, Chief Neth was given the Mayor’s Award by former Mayor Steve Mensinger, and acknowledged for being an instrumental figure in the formative years of the Costa Mesa Police Department. Chief Neth’s achievements include the creation of Police Officer Standards of Training for all California Police Officers, the implementation of mobile data computers, and the use of video cameras for DUI arrests. He also oversaw the completion and opening of the Arthur McKenzie Policy Facility. Chief Neth brought innovative technology and best practices to the Department and always emphasized the following three principles: be innovative, be progressive, and above all, be professional. Chief Neth was a strong believer in training and preparation, and he continually sought ways to communicate with the public so that residents knew what to expect from their police department. Chief Neth exemplified the role of a Police Chief, and set a high standard for the Department and the community. ANALYSIS: Council Policy 800-1 City Parks and Facilities Naming Policy (Attachment 1), provides guidelines and options for the naming of parks and facilities, along with specifications for signage, donation requirements, historical significance, etc. There are also procedures identified for bringing a naming request to the Parks, Arts and Community Services Commission. On page 3 of the Policy, under the Procedures and Guidelines section, item 6 states the following: “Notwithstanding the foregoing procedures, the Mayor or any Council Member may request to waive the nomination process as set forth in this policy and propose the naming or renaming of a City Park and/or facility.” Civic Center Park is a 2.5-acre park located at 111 Fair Drive across Vanguard Way and the Costa Mesa Police Department. In 2011, the City Council considered the renaming of Civic Center Park after former Mayor Jack Hammett; however, the decision was made to rename the Farm Sports Complex instead. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED: 1. The City Council can deny the request for renaming. 2. The City Council can recommend other names for the park. 3. The City Council can recommend that other names be considered through the Parks, Arts and Community Services Commission. If this alternative is selected, it will delay the installation of the signage at the park. 3 FISCAL REVIEW: This action does not impact the General Fund. There are sufficient fund balance available in the Parks Development Impact Fund for the signage. LEGAL REVIEW: The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this report and approves it as to form. CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: This project works towards toward achieving the following City Council Goals and Objectives:  Goal: Maintain and Enhance the City’s Infrastructure, Facilities, Equipment and Technology.  Objective: Update City Council on increasing park access. CONCLUSION: Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Consider Waiver of the “City Parks and Facilities Naming Policy” requirement for the naming of a Park and/or facility; and 2. Consider the renaming of Civic Center Park, located at 111 Fair Drive at the corner of Fair Drive and Vanguard Way, in honor of retired Costa Mesa Police Chief Roger Neth. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to appropriate funds from the Park Development Impact Fees Fund and execute any and all actions necessary to purchase and install signage. JASON MINTER LORI ANN FARRELL HARRISON Parks and Community Services Director City Manager CAROL MOLINA KIMBERLY HALL BARLOW Director of Finance City Attorney ATTACHMENTS: 1 City Parks and Facilities Naming Policy 800-1 RE-NAMING OF CIVIC CENTER PARK Fair Drive and Vanguard Way March 16, 2021 Item Number NB-1 v v 2 LOCATION OF THE PARK v v 3 REQUEST FOR RE-NAMING ROGER NETH One of the first 3 Costa Mesa Police Officers in 1953 Promotions Sergeant in 1954 Lieutenant in 1956 Captain in 1959 Police Chief in 1964 Retired in 1986 as the longest tenured Chief – 22 years v v 4 REQUEST FOR RE-NAMING Awards Graduated Newport Harbor High School in 1944 Inducted to the NHHS Hall of Fame in 2016 2016 - Recipient of the Mayor’s Award Contributions Instrumental in the formative years of the Police Dept. Brought Innovative Technology and Best Practices to the Dept. Implemented mobile data computers and video cameras for DUI arrests Completion and Opening of the Arthur Mackenzie Police Facility v v 5 RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: 1.Consider Waiver of the nomination policy; and 2.Consider the re-naming of Civic Center Park, located at 111 Fair Drive at the corner of Fair Drive and Vanguard Way in honor of Roger Neth, retired Police Chief of Costa Mesa 3.Authorize the City Manager or designee to appropriate and execute any and all actions necessary to purchase and install signage Attachment 1