Item No. 22.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OFTHE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OFTHE CITY MANAGER
BY: J0DDYK8ONTENEGRO,INTERIM ASSISTANT TOTHE CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT- DISCUSSION REGARDING &CITY FACILITY NAMING POLICY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will receive mreport on mpoopoaed City Facility Naming Policy and provide direction tostaff. The City Council will also discuss the possible naming of u City playground in honor of Jerry VVetzstoin' a lifelong Downey resident who dedicated his life to serving the community.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
1. Receive a report regarding a proposed City Facility Naming Policy and provide direction to staff; and,
2. Discuss the possible naming of a City playground in honor of lifelong Downey resident, Jerry Wetzstein.
BACKGROUND
Staff conducted research and found that in 1997. the City Council adopted u policy regarding the naming of City facilities. This was referenced in astaff report in 2004. but after an extensive records search, staff unfortunately could not locate a copy of the referenced policy. Staff was able to capture some of the policy's guidelines based on what was cited in that staff report. This included the criteria established for those individuals that had City facilities named after them and the qualities that they should demonstrate, which was noted as follows:
1. Significant Length ofService
2. Love of Community
3.Impeccable Character
4. Positive Impact on Community
5. Politically Retired
Throughout the years, some facilities have been named in honor or former Downey Mayors and other elected officials.
These facilities include:
Facility Named Individual Honored Year Dedicated Nominated By:
Del Clawson, former
Clawson Plaza (Civic Center)
Member of U.S.
Unknown
Unknown
Congress (1963-1978)
Scott E. Temple,
Temple Park
Former Mayor (1958-
1968
Unknown
1959, 1961-1962,
1965-1966, 1969-1970)
Cormack Room (Downey City
Robert G. Cormack,
Library)
Former Mayor (1983-
1992
Unknown
1984, 1988-1989)
Barbara J. Riley Community
Barbara J. Riley,
and Senior Center
Former Mayor (1994-
1998
Unknown
1995, 1997-1998)
Diane P. Boggs Auditorium
Diane P Boggs, Former
(Barbara J. Riley Community
Mayor (1987-1988,
1998
Unknown
and Senior Center)
1992-1993)
McCaughan Gymnasium
Gary P. McCaughan,
Former Mayor (1995-
1998
Unknown
(Apollo Park)
1996, 1998-1999)
Meredith H. Perkins Skate
Meredith H. Perkins,
Former Mayor (2001-
2011
Mario A. Guerra, Former Mayor
Park
2002, 2005-2006)
David R. Gafin Dog Park (Rio
David R. Gafin, Former
2013
Mario A. Guerra, Former Mayor
San Gabriel Park)
Mayor (2007-2008)
David R. Gafin Downey
David R. Gafin, Former
2020
Downey Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce
Mayor (2007-2008)
ANALYSIS
At the May 12, 2026 City Council meeting, Councilmember Trujillo requested that staff look into a City Facility Naming Policy after he recommended a playground be named in honor of Kiwanis Member and longtime Downey resident, Jerry Wetzstein. Mr. Wetzstein was a dedicated community leader whose impact continues to be felt across the City. His most lasting legacy was his leadership as President of the Downey Kiwanis Foundation, a role he held from 2008 until his passing. Under his stewardship, the Foundation awarded more than $2.3 million dollars in scholarships and grants benefiting students and community organizations throughout Downey. He was a driving force behind the Foundation's investment in playground equipment at some of the City's local parks including Furman Park and most recently Rio San Gabriel Park. Attached to this report is Mr. Wetzstein's bio for the Council's review (Attachment B) and consideration.
Staff has drafted the attached policy (Attachment A) for the Council's consideration. The purpose of the policy is to establish clear guidelines and procedures for the naming of City of Downey facilities. This policy would establish and maintain a formal process to ensure that decisions on naming opportunities are made in an equitable and consistent manner and that naming requests align with the City's Mission Statement and other relevant policies and practices.
Facility Name Request Process
Arequest for the naming ofaCity facility shall beinitiated and approved by the City Council. The nominating Counoi|nnember will need to submit his/her request in vvhdng with a statement summarizing the justification for the recommended name. The approval shall be purely within the discretion of the City Council. All naming of City facilities will be implemented by City Council Resolution and followed by a plaque installation and dedication Eligible City Facilities
The following in a list of eligible fan|itios, which includes parks and recreation facilities. This would also include areas within facilities such as meeting and conference rooms and park features such as p|aygroundy, sports fields, and community buildings, etc.
I.Apollo Park
2. Brookshire Chi|dren's Park
3.Crawford Park
4.Dennis the Menace Park
5. Discovery Sports Complex
8. Downey Cemetery
7. Downey City Hall
O. Downey City Library
Q.Downey Depot Transportation Center
10. Downey Fire Stations 1-4
11.Downey Maintenance Services Yard
12.Downey Police Department
13.Downey Theatre
14.Downey Water Maintenance Yard
1S.Furman Park
16. Golden Park
17.Independence Park
1O.Parks and Recreation Department Office
1Q.Rio Hondo Golf Course
20. Rio San Gabriel Park
21. Treasure Island Park
22.Wilderness Park
Ineligible City Facilities
Facilities ineligible for consideration under this policy include those that have already been dedicated/named in honor of former community leaders such as:
° 8urUaraJ. Riley Community and Senior Center
° Clawson Plaza (Civic Center)
° CnrmaokRoom (Downey City Library)
° Diane PBoggs Auditorium /BJRCenter)
° David R. Gafin Dog Park (Rio San Gabriel Park)
° David R. Gmfin Downey Chamber nfCommerce
° McCaughan Gymnasium (Apollo Park)
° Meredith H.Perkins Skate Park
° Temple Park
The Columbia Memorial Space Center is also ineligible as it is named the official national memorial to the Space Shuttle Columbia. It should be noted that spaces within the Space Center is not eligible as they are tied to fundraising naming campaigns initiated by the Center.
The renaming of these facilities shall be discouraged and should occur only under extraordinary circumstances, and after thorough research and deliberation. Individuals after whom buildings are named, and who later are found to violate the City's Code of Ethics and Values or Mission Statement, may have their names removed by City Council action from the buildings that bear their names.
Other facilities ineligible for consideration are those under the jurisdiction of another governing body other than the city.
Criteria for Naming Selection
The City Council may recommend and approve the naming of City facilities based on the following criteria:
1. Geographical location of the facility;
2. Natural or geographical features proximate to the facility;
3. Cultural or historical significance to the City or surrounding neighborhood; or
4. The name of an individual where the Council finds:
a. The individual has made a significant contribution to the Downey community in areas such as, but not limited to health, education, civic involvement, housing, public service or the arts; and b. Such contribution has contributed to the general well-being of Downey and its residents; and c. The individual's character reflects and aligns with the City's Code of Ethics, Values and Mission Statement; and
d. The individual, whether living or dead, is or was previously a resident of the City of Downey.
Where applicable, permission will be sought from the honored individual's surviving family, preferably, next of kin.
No City facility shall be named after a current seated elected or appointed official.
The City will maintain an inventory list of all City facilities that have been named, including any available background of why the name was selected. Any naming proposal will be reviewed against the named City facilities list to confirm that it is not duplicative of previously approved proposals.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no specific fiscal impact associated with this report; however, there would be an impact to the City Council Special Activities account(10-4-1110-0140) for the purchase of commemorative plaques for facilities that are named, as well as, dedication ceremony expenses (approximately $800 per plaque and $500 for ceremony expenses).
Attachments
CITY OF DOWNEY
FACILITY NAMING POLICY
ADOPTED 2026
To establish the criteria and procedures for the naming of City of Downey facilities. The policy's objectives are to establish and maintain a system to ensure that decisions on naming opportunities are made in an equitable and consistent manner, and in honor of individuals or places that have had significant impact or meaning to the community 111' POLICY
a. Facility Name Request Process
Arequest for the naming of8City facility shall beinitiated and approved by the City Council.
The nominating Councilmember shall submit his/her request in writing with a statement summarizing the justification for the recommended name. The approval shall be purely within the discretion of the City Council. All naming of City facilities will be implemented by City Council Resolution and followed by a plaque installation and dedication ceremony. b. Eligible City Facilities
Those facilities which may be considered for naming are any City -owned f@Ci|ib/ including parks and recreation facilities. This would also include areas within facilities such as meeting and conference rooms and park features such as playgrounds, sports fields, and community buildings, etc. Eligible City facilities shall include the following:
1. Apollo Park
2. Brookshire Chi|dn8n'S PGMh
3. Crawford Park
4. Dennis the Menace Park
5. Discovery Sports Complex
0. Downey Cemetery
7. Downey City Hall
8. DOVVOHy City Library
0. Downey Depot Transportation Center
10.Downey Fire Stations 1-4
11.Downey Maintenance Services Yard
12. Downey Police Department
13. Downey Theatre
14.Downey Water Maintenance Yard
15. Furman Park
10. Golden Pork
17. Independence Park
18. parka and Recreation Department Office
19. Rio Hondo Golf Course
20. Rio San Gabriel Pork
21. Treasure Island Park
22. Wilderness Park
C. Ineligible City Facilities
Facilities ineligible for consideration under this policy include those that have already been dedicated/named in honor of former community leaders such as:
Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center
Clawson Plaza (Civic Center)
Cormack Room (Downey City Library)
Diane P. Boggs Auditorium (BJR Center)
David R. Gafin Dog Park (Rio San Gabriel Park)
David R. Gafin Downey Chamber of Commerce
McCaughan Gymnasium (Apollo Park)
Meredith H. Perkins Skate Park
Temple Park
The Columbia Memorial Space Center is also ineligible as it is named the official national memorial to the Space Shuttle Columbia.
The renaming of these facilities shall be discouraged and should occur only under extraordinary circumstances, after thorough research and deliberation. Individuals after whom buildings are named, and who later are found to violate the City's Code of Ethics and Values or Mission Statement, may have their names removed by City Council action from the buildings that bear their names.
Other facilities ineligible for consideration are those under the jurisdiction of another governing body other than the City.
d. Criteria for Naming Selection
The City Council may recommend and approve the naming of City facilities based on the following criteria:
1. Geographical location of the facility; or
2. Natural or geographical features proximate to the facility; or
3. Cultural or historical significance to the City or surrounding neighborhood; or
4. The name of an individual where the Council finds:
a. The individual has made a significant contribution to the Downey community in areas such as, but not limited to health, education, civic involvement, housing, public service or the arts; and
b. Such contribution has contributed to the general well-being of Downey and its residents; and
c. The individual's character reflects and aligns with the City's Code of Ethics, Values and Mission Statement; and
d. The individual, whether living or dead, is or was previously a resident of the City of Downey.
K
Where applicable, permission will be sought from the honored individual's surviving family, preferably, next of kin. No City facility shall be named after a current seated elected or appointed official.
e.) Citywide Inventory List
The City will maintain an inventory list of all City facilities that have been named, including any available background of why the name was selected ("Named City Facilities List"). Any naming proposal will be reviewed against the named City facilities list to confirm that it is not duplicative of previously approved proposals.
3 Jerry Wetzstein
Jerry was a lifelong resident of the City of Downey and a dedicated community leader whose impact continues to be felt across the city. His service with Kiwanis began in 1988 with the South Gate Kiwanis Club, and in 2003, following the dissolution of that club, he joined the Downey Kiwanis Club. Jerry went on to serve as President of the Downey Kiwanis Club from 2005 to 2006 and was a member of its Board of Directors, as well as an active member of the Club, until his passing on July 13, 2022.
Jerry's most enduring legacy was his leadership as President of the Downey Kiwanis Foundation, a role he held from 2008 until his death. Under his stewardship, the Foundation awarded more than $2.3 million dollars in scholarships and grants benefiting students and community organizations throughout Downey. Among these contributions, Jerry was especially passionate about expanding opportunities for children. He was a driving force behind the Foundation's investment of over $287,000 in playground equipment at Furman Park, championing the project as a way to create a safe, welcoming space where children and families could gather, play, and thrive. In recognition of his service, Jerrywas named Downey Kiwanian of the Year in 2014 and was a double Hixson Fellow.
Deeply committed to improving the lives of others, particularly children and youth. Jerry also served on numerous boards, including the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities, Rancho Los Amigos Research Foundation, Downey Chamber of Commerce, and the Downey Junior Athletic Association.
His broad civic involvement reflected a lifelong dedication to strengthening his Downey community.
Jerry was raised on a farm outside Barnesville, Minnesota, where he graduated from Barnesville High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mankato State University and an MBA from the Thunderbird Graduate School, which is now part of Arizona State University. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Jerry later became an entrepreneur and found his greatest professional calling as a medical insurance broker, guided by his belief that quality healthcare is a right for all people in the United States.