City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 28, 2026
Agenda Item: 12.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Engineering and Street Services Division
Subject: Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution to Rename a Portion of Vicente Terrace as Silas White Street
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Conduct a public hearing and adopt the attached resolution to rename a portion of Vicente Terrace—between Main Street and Ocean Avenue, that does not include any mailing addresses—as Silas White Street.
Summary
In November 2025, the City Council committed to renaming a portion of Vicente Terrace—between Main Street and Ocean Avenue—as Silas White Street to honor Silas White. Staff recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution to rename the street.
Background
The City’s decision to rename ap portion of Vicente Terrace to Silas White Street is part of a settlement agreement between the City and Silas White’s family. In the 1950s, Black entrepreneur Silas White planned to establish the Ebony Beach Club to serve the City’s Black community. However, the City subsequently acquired the property at 1811 2 of 5
Ocean Avenue through eminent domain, and the club never opened. Decades later, White’s family sought acknowledgment and redress for the City’s actions. The resulting agreement includes financial compensation, public recognition of Silas White’s legacy, and commemorative actions. These measures are intended to acknowledge past harm and reflect the City’s commitment to equity and restorative justice. One of the commemorative actions is to rename a portion of Vicente Terrace—between Main Street and Ocean Avenue—to Silas White Street.
Discussion
Staff recommends renaming a portion of Vicente Terrace—between Main Street and Ocean Avenue—as Silas White Street. This segment of Vicente Terrace does not include mailing addresses, ensuring that the proposed change would not affect residential or business postal information. The remaining portions of Vicente Terrace, located between Ocean Avenue and Appian Way, would remain unchanged, as illustrated in Attachment A.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 34091.1—which authorizes a legislative body to adopt or change the name of a city street by resolution—the City Council has the authority to approve this street name change. This action represents a symbolic and public acknowledgment of Silas White’s enduring legacy and contributions to the community. It aligns with the settlement terms and supports the City’s broader efforts to address historical injustices. This recommendation will have no budgetary or financial impact. City staff will procure and install two street name signs using the existing operating budget. Upon adoption, City staff will file the resolution with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
03/19/2024
(Attachment B)
Request of Councilmembers Torosis, Zwick and Davis to
direct the City Manager and City Attorney, in consultation with relevant departments, to report back to the Council in 90 days 07/29/2025
(Attachment C)
Ebony Beach Club
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11/18/2025
(Attachment D)
Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1)
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show two existing street signs for “Vicente Terrace,” which would be changed to “Silas White Street.”
Figure 1 – Current View of the Ocean Avenue and Vicente Terrace Intersection 4 of 5
Figure 2 – Current View of the Ocean Avenue and Vicente Terrace Intersection 5 of 5
Figure 3 – Current View of the Main Street and Vicente Terrace Intersection Environmental Review
The proposed street renaming is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (common sense exemption), which states that CEQA does not apply, “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.” Renaming the existing streets is procedural in nature. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed street renaming would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is exempt from CEQA.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of a recommended action. Procurement and installation of the two street name signs would be funded through the existing operating budget for the division.
Prepared By: Jessie Burch, Business Assistant
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Attachment A - Map
B. March 19, 2024 Staff Report (weblink)
C. July 29, 2025 Staff Report (weblink)
D. November 18, 2025 Staff Report (weblink)
E. Resolution_Silas White Street
F. PowerPoint Presentation