TO: RULES AND OPEN FROM: Councilmember Dev Davis
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE District 6
SUBJECT: Janet Gray Hayes Rotunda Naming DATE: 7/30/2024 Approved Date 7/30/2024
RECOMMENDATION
1. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the November 1974 election of Janet Gray Hayes as the first female mayor of San Jose and the first female mayor of a major American city, and in honor of her accomplishments and contributions to San Jose, name the City Hall Rotunda the Janet Gray Hayes Rotunda.
a. Add the name to the wayfinding signs in the Civic Center Plaza and Facilities. b. Affix the name "Janet Gray Hayes Rotunda" and one of her Alexander Calder logos, if approved by the artist's foundation, inside the rotunda and the outside the rotunda in the areas noted in the attached photos.
c. Permit the installation of a memorial plaque in honor of Janet Gray Hayes inside the Rotunda.
d. Direct staff to report back in 30 days with the cost of installing the lettering and logo, signage, and plaque with a budget recommendation on source of funding.
2. In celebration of the approaching 50th anniversary of the 1978 voter approval of district elections in San Jose, approve the use of wall space inside the rotunda for a rotating photographic exhibition of neighborhoods from each of the council districts in San Jose and the installation of a plaque regarding the creation of district elections.
BACKGROUND
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the election of Janet Gray Hayes as San Jose's pioneering and inspiring first female mayor and the first female mayor of a major American city. Mayor Hayes was a dedicated public servant, community activist, caring wife, and mother, and one of Santa Clara County's most respected public figures.
RULES COMMITTEE: 08/07/2024
ITEM: C.1
RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
07/30/2024
Subject:
In 1974 Ms. Hayes successfully campaigned for mayor on the promise to "make San Jose better before making it bigger.” Her agenda of managed growth led to the adoption of San Jose’s first modern general plan, which reigned in urban sprawl and focused on improving neighborhoods.
Mayor Hayes supported and endorsed “Measure F” in 1978 to create district council seats. Mayor Hayes believed in equity and the need to give a voice to all of San Jose’s diverse neighborhoods, The first district elections brought a majority of women to the city council and the first Mexican American female member, Blanca Alvardo, who later became Vice Mayor and a County Supervisor. The advent of district elections has brought a continuing wave of diverse representation in city government.
Mayor Hayes passed away in 2014. Her legacy of an open and representative San Jose government lives on.
Councilmember Dev Davis
District 6
For questions, please contact Mary Anne Groen, Chief of Staff, at (408) 535-4906.