The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About13 - Ensign View Park to John Wayne ParkApril 25, 2017 Agenda Item No. 13 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Dave Diff, City Manager - 949-644-3001, dkiff@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Carol Jacobs, Assistant City Manager PHONE: 949-644-3001 TITLE: Changing the Name of "Ensign View Park" to "John Wayne Park" to Honor the Former Resident ABSTRACT: Mayor Muldoon suggested that the City Council consider changing the name of "Ensign View Park" to "John Wayne Park." While City Council Policy B-9 establishes a certain process for naming existing parks, it is within the City Council's discretion to waive Council Policy B-9. RECOMMENDATIONS: a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; b) Waive the requirements set forth in City Council Policy B-9, Naming of City Parks and Facilities, to allow the City Council to rename "Ensign View Park" to "John Wayne Park;" and c) Adopt Resolution No. 2017-30, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Changing the Name of Ensign View Park to John Wayne Park to Honor the Former Resident. DISCUSSION: At a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Muldoon asked his colleagues to consider changing the name of "Ensign View Park" (along Cliff Drive) to "John Wayne Park" in honor of the former actor and Newport Beach resident. 13-1 Changing the Name of "Ensign View Park" to "John Wayne Park" April 25, 2017 Page 2 Council Policy B-9 Naming of City Parks and Facilities (Attachment A) generally governs the Council's processes regarding this issue, and requires, in part, that: "A. Suggestions for naming new or existing parks or public facilities shall be reviewed by the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission with a recommendation being transmitted to the City Council for approval. B. New or existing park or public facilities names can be chosen from, but not limited to, the following categories: 1. Streets or schools bordering park 2. Topography 3. Theme 4. Common names already in place for the area" Ensign View Park Ensign View Park is a small view park next to the Newport Theater Arts Center adjacent to Cliff Drive. According to former Mayor Don Webb, Ensign View Park was initially right- of-way acquired by Caltrans for the Coastal Freeway. When that effort was stopped, the City acquired it in the early 1970s. Initially the park was referred to as Cliff Drive View Park, but the name was changed to Ensign View Park in late 1975. 13-2 Changing the Name of "Ensign View Park" to "John Wayne Park" April 25, 2017 Page 3 The City's Bicentennial Committee earmarked this park to honor the nation's 1976 bicentennial celebration — thus there are a number of patriotic plaques on the park's entryway. Eight plaques provided by schools in the city honoring Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, JFK, Theodore Roosevelt, and "all persons striving for equal rights." In speaking with Mayor Muldoon, there may be a way to retain the Bicentennial events' recognition in the park by identifying and otherwise memorializing the entry walk as "Bicentennial Walk" (or similar) at the renamed John Wayne Park. The American Flag pole (which will be replaced soon with a new pole) was provided by the graduating classes of 1976 and 1977 of Horace Ensign School. There is also a plaque from the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter honoring the American Bicentennial. The Coral tree is the official City tree and one is planted behind the flagpole. Interestingly, in 1979, the City Council adopted a resolution (Resolution 9683) that envisioned installing a statue of John Wayne at Ensign View Park. While the statue was not done, there is a display about John Wayne and his role in the Newport Beach community at the nearby Newport Theater Arts Center. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Council Policy B-9, Naming of City Parks & Facilities Attachment B — Resolution No. 2017-30 13-3 ATTACHMENT A i • NAMING OF CITY PARKS & FACILITIES The City of Newport Beach has a comprehensive program to provide park and open space to serve the leisure and recreation needs of residents. It is desirable that appropriate names be selected for future parks and public recreational facilities. The following guidelines shall serve as policy on this matter. A. Suggestions for naming new or existing parks or public facilities shall be reviewed by the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission with a recommendation being transmitted to the City Council for approval. B. New or existing park or public facilities names can be chosen from, but not limited to, the following categories: 1. Streets or schools bordering park 2. Topography 3. Theme 4. Common names already in place for the area C. Facility rooms or site amenities may be dedicated in honor of persons if done as part of a capital/ fundraising campaign and with the approval of the City Council. The provisions of this policy shall not apply to commitments made prior to May 13, 2003. Adopted - September 12,19$$ Amended - January 24,1994 Amended - February 27,1995 Reassigned - April S, 2003 Amended - May 13, 2003 Formerly I-22 Formerly I-9 1 13-4 ATTACHMENT B RESOLUTION NO. 2017- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, CHANGING THE NAME OF ENSIGN VIEW PARK TO JOHN WAYNE PARK TO HONOR THE FORMER RESIDENT WHEREAS, John Wayne was the consummate American hero, symbolizing self- reliance, an exemplary work ethic, grace under pressure, resolve, grit, and patriotism; WHEREAS, born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa, he moved with his parents as a young boy to California; in 1916, while the family was living in Glendale, the nickname "Duke" was bestowed upon him and stuck the rest of his life; WHEREAS, in 1925, he began attending the University of Southern California on a football scholarship, playing offensive lineman, and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity; after sustaining a shoulder injury from a bodysurfing accident near the Balboa Pier just prior to his junior year, he withdrew from the university and began working at Fox Film Corporation as a laborer moving set props and as an occasional extra in movies; WHEREAS, while working at the studio, he met Wyatt Earp, who was a consultant to Western film director John Ford, and he would adopt some of Earp's mannerisms for his roles as a cowboy; WHEREAS, the first film in which he had a leading role, "The Big Trail" (1930), led to- his name being changed to "John Wayne," a moniker he would use for the remainder of his acting career; WHEREAS, starring in classic Western films such as "Stagecoach," "Red River," "The Searchers," and "True Grit," Wayne personified the archetypal cowboy who is rough -edged and plainspoken, but also capable of great bravery, warmth, kindness, and generosity; he won an Oscar in 1970 for Best Actor for his role as Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit;" WHEREAS, in "The Alamo," his first film as a director, John Wayne played the role of Davy Crockett; the film won an Oscar nomination in 1961 for Best Picture; Wayne also directed and starred in a Vietnam -based movie, "The Green Berets," which was released in 1968; WHEREAS, Wayne was an avid supporter of the United States military and toured bases and hospitals throughout the South Pacific in 1943 and 1944 with the United Service Organizations (USO) and visited American troops fighting in Vietnam in the 1960's; he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1979, engraved with the words "John Wayne, American" encapsulating his entire life; 13-5 WHEREAS, John Wayne moved to a bayfront home in Newport Beach in the 1960s and was one of Newport Beach's most famous residents; he loved the area and was known as a regular guy around town, frequently hosting other Hollywood personalities and other important visitors to the area. His beloved yacht, the Wild Goose, a converted Navy minesweeper now owned and operated by Hornblower Yachts, is available for tours and charters to share Newport Beach with its visitors; WHEREAS, in 1968, the University of Southern California. established The John Wayne Scholarship Fund in his honor; and, upon his passing, in 1979, the John Wayne airport located in Orange County then named Orange County Airport, was renamed John Wayne Airport in honor of his achievements and influence, and a nine -foot -tall statute of him was raised at John Wayne Airport; WHEREAS, John Wayne was laid to rest in 1979 at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar with a western -theme plaque depicting a cowboy on horseback; WHEREAS, John Wayne was a founder and supporter of the John Wayne Cancer Institute, which went on to develop many innovations in cancer research and treatment. Such innovations include the sentinel node biopsy technique—an established best practice today; WHEREAS, John Wayne's Foundation continues its legacy of fighting cancer through its continued support to more than 150 John Wayne Alumni surgical oncologists practicing throughout the country, caring for more than 100,000 patients each year; WHEREAS, John Wayne's love for Newport Beach inspired the creation of the foundation's skin cancer prevention program, Block The Blaze, which started with the Junior Lifeguards in Newport Beach, and has now expanded to eight states and has cumulatively educated nearly 200,000 youth in sun safety and melanoma. prevention; WHEREAS, every day, John Wayne's name continues to inspire individuals to join him in the fight against cancer and his quest to find a cure; and WHEREAS, John Wayne was inducted into the California Hall of Fame by then Governor Schwarzenegger in 2007. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach resolves as follows: Section 1: The City Council hereby changes the name of "Ensign View Park" to "John Wayne Park" in honor of the former resident and his accomplishments. Section 2: The recitals provided in this resolution are true and correct and are incorporated into the substantive portion of this resolution. Section 3: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this resolution. The 13-6 City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional. Section 4: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting this resolution. ADOPTED this day of , 2017. Kevin Muldoon Mayor ATTEST: Leilani I. Brown City Cleric APPROVED AS TO FORM: CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE .;;�i <� Aaron C. Harp City Attorney 13-7