DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 2022
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PE, PLS, DIRECTOR
BY: ADRIANA ROBLES, PE, CFM, CITY ENGINEER
TITLE: RENAMING MURPHY ST TO JD ALVARADO CIR
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution renaming Murphy Street to JD Alvarado Circle.
BACKGROUND:
On February 25, 2022 Officer Jorge David Alvarado Jr. was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Alvarado had joined the Salinas Police Department in August 2020 and was assigned as a patrol officer. Officer Alvarado was conducting a traffic stop the night of the tragic incident. His heroic actions during the confrontation led to the arrest of his assailant.
Officer Alvarado was born and raised in San Francisco. He enlisted in the US Army as an infantryman and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell Kentucky. In 2011 Officer Alvarado was deployed with the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment to Afghanistan and earned the prestigious Combat Infantryman Badge. Officer Alvarado served four and half years as a police officer for the Colma Police Department before joining the Salinas Police Department in August 2020. During his two years with the Salinas Police Department, he received his Drug Recognition Expert certification and was posthumously assigned to the SWAT team.
In August 2022 the Public Works Director received a request to rename Murphy Street to JD Alvarado Circle in honor of Officer Alvarado. Murphy Street, previously named Tucker Street (Ordinance No. 1344), was constructed on or around 1964 as part of the East Alisal Street – Southern Pacific Railroad Grade Separation Project.
In September 2018 the City broke ground on a new police service headquarters at the corner of East Alisal Street and Murphy Street. The new facility, located at 312 East Alisal Street, was completed in May 2020. In honor of Officer JD Alvarado, the City Council is asked to consider renaming Murphy Street to JD Alvarado Circle.
Committee Consideration
Article VIII of Chapter 30 of the Salinas Municipal Code requires street names to be reviewed and approved by a street naming committee. Although an official street naming committee does not exist, an ad hoc committee meeting comprised of the Director of Community Development, the Director of Public Works, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief and City Engineer was convened on October 27, 2022 to review the request to rename Murphy Street. The ad hoc committee, in consultation with the Postmaster and the Monterey County Emergency Dispatch, unanimously approved and recommends the City Council to rename Murphy Street to JD Alvarado Circle.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This item does not relate to any specific Council strategic goal. Renaming Murphy Street in honor of an officer lost while in the line of duty reinforces the Council’s values of service, equity, and responsiveness.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Public Works Department coordinated with the Police, Fire, Community Development and Legal Department in review of the proposed name change.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Changing the street name signs will carry a cost. A new traffic signal at East Alisal Street and Murphy Street will be installed as part of CIP 9094 (Resolution No. 22239). A change order to replace the manufactured signs will be issued to cover the added cost estimated at $1000.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Officer Alvarado Obituary
Murphy St Site Plan
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