Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Renaming Constitution Way to Wilma Chan Way in Honor of Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan. (Planning and Building (20962710)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In late 2021, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan was tragically hit while crossing the street in Alameda. On January 8, 2022, staff received a request from the family of Supervisor Chan to rename Constitution Way in Alameda in honor of Wilma Chan. Even though, the request does not meet certain aspects of the City Council’s recently amended Policy for Naming City Facilities and Streets (Street Naming Policy), which includes a number of procedural requirements and provides that before a street can be named after a person, the person must be deceased for at least three (3) years, staff is bringing forward the item for consideration due to the circumstances
To move forward with naming Constitution Way, the City Council would need to waive certain aspects of the policy, which would allow for Constitution Way to be renamed Wilma Chan Way.
BACKGROUND
The request from Daren Chan and Jennifer Chan to re-name Constitution Way to Wilma Chan Way is attached as Exhibit 1.
Since Ms. Chan’s death occurred less than three years ago, the request to change the name of Constitution Way to Wilma Chan Way is not consistent with the General Naming Criteria in the City Council’s recently adopted Street Naming Policy. One of the seven General Naming Criteria provides, “A street or City facility named for an individual shall require that the person be deceased for a minimum of three years.” In addition, the request does not comply with certain procedural requirements included in the Policy. The Policy is attached as Exhibit 2.
Originally named “Patton Way”, the subject street was constructed in 1986 to divert vehicular traffic from the tubes away from Webster Street. In 1987, at the recommendation of the Bicentennial Committee to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, the City Council renamed Patton Way to Constitution Way.
DISCUSSION
Given the importance of Supervisor Chan to the Alameda community and in response to her family’s request, staff is seeking direction from the City Council regarding waiving certain procedural requirements and the General Naming Criteria of the City Council’s Street Naming Policy, which would allow Constitution Way to be renamed Wilma Chan Way. Specifically, the City Council’s Street Naming Policy includes the following requirements that need to be waived for the renaming to proceed:
1. Submittal of application by one or more City resident(s), business owner(s), or property owner(s), including petition with at least 500 resident signatories or 50%+1 signatories of resident and business property owners on the street;
2. Public process, including broad public outreach, public meetings before the Planning Board, and recommendation by the Planning Board; and
3. Naming after a person requires the individual to be deceased for at least three years.
Staff has determined that changing the name of Constitution Way would be a relatively straightforward process compared to other streets in the city. Only one property has a Constitution Way address. The property at 1975 Constitution Way is owned by East Bay Municipal Utility District. Approximately ten (10) street signs would need to be replaced at the cost of approximately $100 per sign. Lastly, the City of Alameda (City) would need to apply for an encroachment permit from Caltrans at an estimated cost of $410, since a portion of Constitution Way is within the State right-of-way.
If the City Council waives the policy in this case, the City Council may wish to make clear for the record the specific conditions that make this case unique. Potential findings may include Ms. Chan’s long tenure in State and County government.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council has three alternative courses of action:
• Direct staff to proceed with the necessary steps to rename and re-sign Constitution Way to Wilma Chan Way.
• Direct staff to inform the applicants that the request will be considered in the future, in compliance with the Street Naming Policy’s procedural requirements and General Naming Criteria.
• Direct staff to modify the Street Naming Policy to reduce the three year timeframe and other procedural requirements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The financial impact of an action to rename this street is relatively small and would not require additional budget appropriations.
• Approximately ten (10) street signs would need to be replaced at the cost of approximately $100 per sign.
• The City would need to apply for an encroachment permit from Caltrans at an estimated cost of $410, since a portion of Constitution Way is within the State right of way.
• The Building Official (official keeper of City addresses) will need to issue written notification to a standard list of governmental agencies and entities involved in addressing. The list includes federal, state, and local agencies including EBMUD, the County, USPS, emergency services and various utility providers. The notification simply informs these entities of the address change after the fact.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and State law.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed street renaming is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to the general rule in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The renaming of Constitution Way to Wilma Chan Way will not cause any physical or significant effect on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a Public Hearing to consider adoption of resolution renaming Constitution Way to Wilma Chan Way in honor of Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager concurs with the Planning, Building and Transportation Director’s request to receive City Council direction.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Planning, Building and Transportation Director
By,
Allen Tai, City Planner
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager/Interim Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Letter of Request
2. 2021 City Council Policy for Naming City Facilities and Streets
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager