pages: CityCouncil/2022-02-15.pdf, 10
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CityCouncil | 2022-02-15 | 10 | The City Planner responded in the affirmative; stated the first Council street name policy was adopted in 1991. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether an exception needed to be made for Ralph Appezzato Way. The City Planner responded the three year waiting period was added in 2007; stated at the time of Ralph Appezzato's passing, the policy was much shorter, did not have many procedural requirements and made no mention of procedure or process for significant public figures; shortly after Ralph Appezzato's passing, the street renaming was brought to Council; staff is following a similar precedent for Wilma Chan. Councilmember Herrera Spencer moved adoption of the resolution with adding that Wilma Chan was a long-term resident of Alameda. Vice Mayor Vella seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Daysog stated that he had the opportunity of serving with Supervisor Chan on the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority; one of Supervisor Chan's most impactful acts in 1995 was having Bay Conservation Development Commission (BCDC) lift the seaport designation; after Base closure, the priority use for Alameda Point would have been for Port Authority purposes; Supervisor Chan led an extraordinary fight to lift the port designation and avoid having tractor-trailer trucks going through Alameda; the late Supervisor Chan did many incredible things; lifting the port designation was one of the most pivotal moments for the City of Alameda and Alameda Point; discussed the BCDC vote; expressed support for the resolution and considering alternate renaming, such as the Seaplane Lagoon and Waterfront Park; encouraged Council to think about other areas to commemorate the leadership of Wilma Chan; stated that he supports the renaming of Constitution Way. Councilmember Knox White stated that he will abstain on the vote; the naming policy includes a three year hold on renaming due to the feelings of those involved in the decision; stated the renaming would be better if more time were provided; the current matter will be the first time for Council to ignore the policy; there is a petition from over 1,000 Alamedans requesting the renaming of a park named after a racist Alameda Mayor; three sitting Councilmembers have requested the matter be brought forth and instead, new policies have been developed; the policies re-support the three year waiting period; no action on renaming the park has been taken; he holds Supervisor Chan in the highest regard; Council must think about how to use discretionary action; he cannot make the finding that Council is in a place that necessitates jumping the matter ahead of the line; he could not support renaming Constitution Way after Wilma Chan given her impact on traffic; discussed a memorial service for someone killed on Constitution Way; Constitution Way is one of the City's most dangerous streets; expressed concern about the rush to rename a street which is not appropriate given the circumstances; stated that he would like to ensure the renaming would be honoring the circumstances; he is not proclaiming that things should not be renamed after Wilma Chan; however, she and the community are worthy of the respect the naming policy puts into place. Vice Mayor Vella stated the City's policy is fairly new; there are exceptions to the policy and Council has a mechanism to make the decision; the circumstances were both tragic and unimaginable; the action is more than warranted due to Supervisor Chan's legacy, commitment and service to the community; the matter does not preclude the possibility of looking at other Regular Meeting Alameda City Council February 15, 2022 8 | CityCouncil/2022-02-15.pdf |