CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 10 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 10-1311 File ID: 25-10613 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Manager's Office
MEETING DATE: November 17, 2025
SUBJECT:
Ceremonial Street Naming Policy — Adoption
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to establish a Ceremonial Street Naming Policy.
BACKGROUND:
On June 2, 2025, the City Council expressed an interest in recognizing outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact on their community through the commemorative or honorary naming of streets. To allow for the recognition of individuals that are of particular importance to the City of San Mateo or have made significant contributions to improving the quality of life in the City, staff drafted the proposed Resolution (Attachment 1). The Resolution allows two City Councilmembers to collaboratively nominate an individual to have an honorary ceremonial street name to be added to the top of the existing street name (“Sign Topper”).
A Sign Topper, is a sheet metal sign that is placed on top of the standard City street sign identification. The ceremonial Sign Topper will be brown with white lettering and have the word “HONORARY” on it to differentiate from the standard green City street sign. The proposed policy does not cause any disruption of the existing legal street names and abutting uses.
Ceremonial street names will not change or replace existing legal street names and signs. If this policy is: 1) approved, 2) two Councilmembers nominate an individual, and 3) a Council majority supports ceremonial street naming for that individual, then City staff will install the Sign Topper to the existing street sign(s) on the street segments impacted by the change. Staff would make an effort to recommend streets of limited length and of civic interest for designation. The proposed rules and specifications are provided in detail in the proposed Resolution.
Below is an example of what the sign may look like.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
BUDGET IMPACT:
The costs include procuring and installing the Sign Topper, and mailing out notices to the residents and business owners that reside on that section of the street. These minimal costs can be absorbed by the Public Works and City Manager’s Office General Fund budgets.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This Resolution is categorically exempt from CEQA as an “existing facility,” because it consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Ceremonial Street Naming Resolution
STAFF CONTACT
Zachary Reda, Senior Management Analyst
[email protected]
(650) 435-0823