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Agenda Report
April 15, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Department of Public Works
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED STREET NAME CHANGE TO TROOP
WAY - DAYTON STREET BETWEEN FAIR OAKS AVENUE AND
RAYMOND AVENUE; OR MORTON AVENUE BETWEEN HAMMOND
STREET AND MOUNTAIN STREET
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed street name change to Troop Way from - Dayton Street from Fair Oaks Avenue to Raymond Avenue; or Morton Avenue between Hammond Street and Mountain Street is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under - Section 15061(b)(3), common sense exemption that CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment; as well as under Section 15301 as a minor alteration of an existing facility with no change in capacity; and
2. Adopt a resolution changing the name of the portion of Dayton Street between Fair Oaks Avenue and Raymond Avenue to Troop Way; or
3. Adopt a resolution changing the name of the portion of Morton Avenue between Hammond Street and Mountain Street to Troop Way; or
4. Provide alternate direction.
BACKGROUND:
On September 11, 2023, a request was emailed by Ms. Keisha Wilkins to the City Manager (Attachment A) proposing that the City rename a public street to "Troop Way" in honor of a rhythm and blues (R&B) music group, Troop. Subsequently, Ms. Wilkins and other individuals provided public comment at several City Council meetings in October and November 2023 advocating for the City to recognize Troop by renaming a street in their honor. Ms. Wilkins originally requested a name change for Catalina Avenue from Maple Street to Villa Street, which is the block where a Troop member used to reside, and the group practiced. However, she was unable to garner the MEETING OF_4/15/2024AGENDA ITEM NO. I3
Proposed Street Name Change - Dayton Street or Morton Avenue to Troop Way April 15, 2024
support needed from the residents along the block for the name change. On November 6, 2023, City Council directed the City Manager to follow-up with Ms. Wilkins and members of Troop to facilitate the identification of suitable alternative street blocks and to secure any needed signatures for petitions accordingly.
Troop, initially named 'Five of A Kind', was formed in 1984 in Pasadena. In 1988, they adopted the name Troop, an acronym for "Total Respect of Other People" to reflect their commitment to positive values and community spirit. Hailing from the City of Pasadena, Troop members include Rodney Benford, Reggie Warren, Jan Jan Harreld, Steve Russell and Alien McNeil. Throughout their formative years, Troop actively performed in various venues across Pasadena, including numerous talent shows at several Pasadena high schools and at Robinson Park, where they have practiced for over 30 years. In addition, Troop has performed at the Rose Bowl and at local community functions such as the City's 2007 Northwest Renaissance community event. Jan Jon Harreld and Rodney Benford remain current City residents. Reggie Warren passed away in 2020.
Troop's musical talent has garnered three number-one singles and 10 top-ten singles on the Billboard R&B Singles chart, which represents a significant contribution to the world of music. Troop's journey and work, from their early days in Pasadena to becoming a global music sensation showcased their bond with their hometown, highlighting the City's name to millions of fans worldwide.
On December 5, 2023, in conformance with the City's Street Name Change Policy (Policy), Ms. Wilkins submitted a formal request to the City Manager (Attachment B) for a street name change. The Policy (Attachment C) outlines the City's review and notification process. Furthermore, Section 34091.1 of the California Government Code provides that a legislative body may adopt a resolution designating or changing the name of a street. The City's procedure for street name change is consistent with the requirements of Chapter 2 of Division 2, Section 970.5 of the California Streets and Highways Code.
As required by City's Policy, the street name change has been reviewed by various public utility agencies, the United States Post Office, Pasadena Police Department, and Pasadena Fire Department, and does not present any operational impacts. As there are no direct postal addresses located along either proposed street block, a petition with supporting signatures from all affected property owners is not triggered in this case.
Per City's Policy, public notices announcing this public hearing (Attachment D) were posted along both Dayton Street and Morton Avenue on March 26, 2024, mailed to the respective property owners within a 300-foot radius of both locations, and published in Pasadena Press on April 1 , 2024.
Option 1: Dayton Street from Fair Oaks Avenue to Raymond Avenue Abutting the subject block of Dayton Street is Central Park to the south, and the Castle Green properties to the north. Per Ms. Wilkins, Troop performed and practiced their dance moves at Central Park, and Jan Jan Harreld performed at the Pasadena Jazz Proposed Street Name Change - Dayton Street or Morton Avenue to Troop Way April 15,2024
Festival held at Central Park. Additionally, Mr. Harreld has strong ties to Friendship Church, the first Black church in Pasadena east of Central Park on Dayton, where he has sung many times.
Staff reached out to the homeowners' association (HOA) of the abutting Castle Green properties confirming that there are no postal addresses off the subject block of Dayton Street. While delivery and event vendors utilize their driveways on Dayton Street, Castle Green's postal address is 99 South Raymond Avenue.
Public comment letters were received in response to the mailed public notices, as shown in Attachment E. These letters express concerns with the street name change since the block of "Hotel Green" is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Prior to being named Dayton Street, the segment was called Vineyard Street - from the Lake Vineyard Land and Water Company which serviced the vineyard and orchard growth within the area that later became Old Pasadena. Planning staff confirmed that the landmark designation is for private property and does not relate to streets or street names. Similar to Council's renaming of La Loma Bridge to Van de Kamp Bridge, historical designations do not create limitations on the naming of structures or other features.
Q£tiorL2:^Morton Avenue between Hammond Street and Mountain Street Abutting the subject block of Morton Avenue is Robinson Park to the east, and the rear of residential properties to the west. Per Ms. Wilkins, Troop practiced at Robinson Park Recreation Center for over 30 years. As the west side of the subject block runs along the rear of residential properties developed in the 1970s, there are no postal addresses off this block of Morton Avenue. The street name, Morton Avenue was in place before the unincorporated North Pasadena area was annexed to the City in 1904.
No public comment letters have been received in response to the mailed public notices.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
Renaming either Dayton Street or Morton Avenue to Troop Way is an affirmation of Troop's significance in the music world and a celebration of Pasadena's pride in nurturing exceptional local talent. Recognition of Troop's contributions adds to the City's rich cultural heritage and helps further the City Council's goals to support and promote quality of life and the local economy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed street name change from either Dayton Street or Morton Avenue to Troop Way is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under section 15061(b)(3, the common sense exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment. No construction is proposed with the project. The proposed street name is also exempt under CEQA Section 15301 as a minor alteration of an existing facility with no change in capacity.
Proposed Street Name Change - Dayton Street or Morton Avenue to Troop Way April 15, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost to purchase and install the new street name signs is approximately $1,000.
Sufficientfunding is available in the Public Works General Fund Operating Budget Account10122029.
Respectfully submitted,
TOKfY OLIO'S, P.E.
Director of Public Wori<s
Prepared by:
Kris Markarian, P. E.
Deputy Director/ City Engineer
Approved by:
Miguj&t-Merf-quez
City Manager
AttachmentA: Ms. Wilkins' Request to the City Manager, dated 9/11/2023 Attachment B: Ms. Wilkins' Formal Request to the City Manager, dated 12/5/2023 Attachment C: City's Street Name Change Policy
Attachment D: Notices of Public Hearing (Dayton Street and Morton Avenue) Attachment E: Public Comments Received (priorto posting of this report)