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Agenda Report
June 3, 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
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed street name change to Troop Way from Dayton Street between Fair Oaks Avenue and Raymond Avenue 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 Dayton Street between Fair Oaks Avenue and Raymond Avenue to Troop Way;or
3. Provide alternate direction.
BACKGROUND:
On April 15, 2024, a proposal to rename a street segment to Troop Way was presented to the City Council for consideration at two possible locations: Dayton Street from Fair Oaks Avenue to Raymond Avenue; or Morton Avenue between Hammond Street and Mountain Street. At the meeting, City Council directed staff to continue the public hearing to May 20, 2024 with renaming Dayton Street as the only possible option, reflective of the public request made. City Council also directed staff to extend the public noticing area from 300 to 1,000-foot radius, similar to that of the Public Park and Recreational Facility Naming Policy adopted by City Council in 2022. In addition, City Council discussed developing a Public Street Name Change Policy should similar street name change requests be made in the future. On May 20, 2024, the City Council continued the public hearing to June 3, 2024.
MEETING OF 06/03/2024_AGENDA ITEM NO. _ 12
Proposed Street Name Change - Dayton Street to Troop Way June 3, 2024
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 rhythm and blues (R&B) music group, Troop. Subsequently, Ms. Wilkins and other individuals provided public comments at several City Council meetings in October and November 2023 advocating for the City to recognize Troop by renaming a street in their honor. 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, Jon Jon 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 practiced for over 30 years.
In addition, Troop has performed at the Rose Bowl and at local community functions such as the City's Northwest Renaissance community event. Jan Jon Harreld and Rodney Benford remain current City residents. Reggie Warren passed away in 2020.
Troop's musical prowess is highlighted by three number-one singles and 10 top-ten singles on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. 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.
Ms. Wilkins originally pursued 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 support needed from the residents along the block for the name change. On December 5, 2023, in conformance with the City's Street Name Change Process (Process), Ms. Wilkins submitted a formal request to the City Manager (Attachment B) identifying a segment of Dayton Street between Fair Oaks Avenue and Raymond Avenue, for a street name change to Troop Way.
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 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.
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. Although the block of "Hotel Green" is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Planning staff confirmed that the landmark designation is for private property and does not relate to streets or street names. Simitar to the Council's renaming of La Loma Bridge to Van de Kamp Bridge, Proposed Street Name Change - Dayton Street to Troop Way June 3, 2024
historical designations do not create limitations on the naming of structures or other features.
The City's Process (Attachment C) outlines the required 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 the City's Process, the street name change has been reviewed by various public utility agencies, the United States Post Office, the Pasadena Police Department, and the Pasadena Fire Department, and does not present any operational impacts. Staff also 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. As there are no direct postal addresses located along the proposed street block, a petition with supporting signatures from all affected property owners is not triggered in this case.
Per the City's Process, public notices announcing the May 20, 2024 public hearing were posted along Dayton Street on April 29, 2024, mailed to approximately 200 property owners within a 1,000-foot radius, and published in Pasadena Press on May 2, 2024.
Upon the City Council's continuation of the public hearing to June 3, 2024, updated notices were posted along Dayton Street and mailed to property owners on May 21, 2024, and published in Pasadena Press on May 23, 2024. Attachment D includes both Notices. Public comment letters were received in response to the public notices, as shown in Attachment E.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The City's procedure for street name changes is consistent with the requirements of Chapter 2 of Division 2, Section 970.5 of the California Streets and Highways Code.
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 Dayton Street 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 to Troop Way June 3, 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,
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T6^JY 0|/Mt)S, P.E.
Director of Public Wori<s
Prepared by:
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Kris Markarian, P. E.
Deputy Director/ City Engineer
Approved by:
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MigueU46rquez
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 Process
Attachment D: Notices of Public Hearing
Attachment E: Public Comments Received (prior to the posting of this report)