HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 - Balboa Island Park to Ralph Rodheim ParkApril 25, 2017
Agenda Item No. 14
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Dave Kiff, City Manager - 949-644-3001,
dkiff@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Carol Jacobs, Assistant City Manager
PHONE: 949-644-3001
TITLE: Changing the Name of "Balboa Island Park" to "Ralph Rodheim
Park" to Honor the Former Resident
ABSTRACT:
Council Member Herdman suggested that the City Council consider changing the name
Of "Balboa Island Park" to "Ralph Rodheim 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 compliance with 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 "Balboa Island Park" to "Ralph Rodheim
Park;" and
c) Adopt Resolution No. 2017-31, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport
Beach, California, Changing the Name of Balboa Island Park to Ralph Rodheim Park
to Honor the Former Resident.
DISCUSSION:
At a recent City Council meeting, Council Member Herdman asked his colleagues to
consider changing the name of "Balboa Island Park" (near the Beek Center) to "Ralph
Rodheim Park" in honor of longtime Balboa Island resident Ralph Rodheim, who passed
away earlier in 2017.
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Changing the Name of "Balboa Island Park" to "Ralph Rodheim Park"
April 25, 2017
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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"
Balboa Island Park
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Changing the Name of "Balboa Island Park" to "Ralph Rodheim Park"
April 25, 2017
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Balboa Island Park is located adjacent to Agate Avenue on Balboa Island. This small
park is home to the Beek Community Center as well as a half -court basketball court, a tot
lot, and some greenspace.
Ralph Rodheim passed away in early February 2017, following a battle with ALS (Lou
Gehrig's disease). Ralph was a longtime resident of Balboa Island, and played an
important role in Newport Beach's civic life, including having been Citizen of the Year in
2010. Ralph was active in the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce as well as on
Balboa Island and with the Balboa Village Merchants' association.
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. 2017-31
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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
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ATTACHMENT B
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, CHANGING THE
NAME OF BALBOA ISLAND PARK TO RALPH RODHEIM
PARK TO HONOR THE FORMER RESIDENT
WHEREAS, Ralph Rodheim graduated from Newport Harbor High School and
Chapman University and was a staple of the City of Newport Beach community,
particularly for issues involving Newport Harbor;
WHEREAS, Ralph was a longtime resident of Balboa Island and played an
integral role in Newport Beach's civic life, including being active in the Balboa Village
and serving on the Balboa Village Merchants Association;
WHEREAS, Ralph became a Commodore in 1986 and served as Skipper of the
Commodores during the 1997/1998 term;
WHEREAS, during his life, Ralph worked as a teacher, served in Vietnam, and
later pursued a marketing career, including founding the Rodheim Marketing Group and
West Mark Savings Bank; he and his wife Penny owned Balboa Boat Rentals in the Fun
Zone for more than 25 years;
WHEREAS, being a consummate sailor, Ralph was an organizer of the Newport
to Ensenada boat race, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, and the Balboa
Yacht Club's annual Wooden Boat Festival, which he helped found in 2014; he also
sailed internationally with Chapman University students as part of a Semester at Sea
program;
WHEREAS, Ralph played an important role in Newport Beach's civic life,
including being one of the original members of the Newport Beach Harbor Commission,
serving for eleven years from the Commission's inception until 2013; he also served as
chairman of the California Boating and Waterways Commission;
WHEREAS, Ralph was awarded Newport Beach Citizen of the Year in 2010;
WHEREAS, in 2014, notwithstanding being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's
disease), Ralph remained involved in Newport Beach civic life, and participated in the
"Ice Bucket Challenge" to raise money to find a cure for ALS and bring awareness to the
disease;
WHEREAS, every day, Ralph Rodheim's name continues to remind individuals
of his selfless dedication to Newport Beach and the various benefits he helped bring to
Newport Harbor.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach resolves as
follows:
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Section 1: The City Council hereby changes the name of "Balboa Island Park"
to "Ralph Rodheim 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
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 Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Aaron C. Harp
City Attorney
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