Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER RENAMING GENERAL SCOTT PARK AFTER JAMES MISA'ALEFUA FOISIA (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
This matter is on the agenda at the request of Councilmember Santarina. General Scott Park (commonly known as Scott Park) is located in the south part of the city at precisely 23410 Catskill Avenue. The park is bound by Catskill to the west, Ravenna to the east, 236th to the south and 232nd to the north (Exhibit No. 1). The park had already been named when the city incorporated. The Park is named after General Winfield Scott who served as the U.S. Army General longer than any other person in American history. He is rated as one of the Army's most senior commissioned officers, and is ranked by many historians as the best American commander of his time.
Councilmember Santarina requests to rename Scott Park to James Foisia Park. James’ full name was James Misa’alefua Foisia (1949-2005). He was an employee of the city for 30 years; starting out as a recreation leader at Scott Park and working his way up to Sr. Recreation Center Supervisor of Scott Park. James was a very well-respected member of the Carson family. He was a mentor to many young people, as well as, a trusted advisor to the staff at Scott Park.
Born in Hawaii, his family relocated to California where James attended Catskill Elementary School, Wilmington Jr. High School and Carson High School. He later went on to attend UCLA on a full football scholarship. The gymnasium at Scott Park is already named after James. The plaque at Scott Park reads, “In recognition of over 28 years as an outstanding role model and for exemplary services to the Carson Community.”
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
CONSIDE and PROVIDE direction.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE an action the Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
The City has a policy related to renaming park and recreation facilities. It is SMP 1.8a (Exhibit No. 2). City Administrator, Larry Olsen signed the policy in 1991. The City Council has the authority to revise the SMP as needed since it has been 26 years since the current draft was signed.
Currently, SMP 8.1 provides guidelines for renaming parks and recreation facilities. These guidelines are subject to exceptions on a case-by-case basis should the City Council deem it appropriate. Those guidelines are summarized here:
• The proposed park to be renamed had to have been in existence for a minimum of 50 years.
• The surrounding community needs to be in favor of the change.
• The individual for which the park is being named after must be identified historically with the origin of Carson.
• The Parks and Recreation Commission is to review park renaming recommendations subsequent to the City Council.
In order to change the name of the park, Council would need to make a motion and achieve a 2/3 vote in favor of the name change. Then staff would come back to the Council with a cost estimate to change park signage and any other related expenses. Council would then have an opportunity to vote on the expenditure.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Unknown at this time.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Map of Scott Park. (pg. 3)
2. SMP 1.8a. (pg. 4-5)
1.
Prepared by: Lisa Berglund, Assistant to the City Manager