5B
Date: January 15, 2025
To: Members of the City Council Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
By: Carlos Huizar, Management Associate | [email protected] Subject: City Manager – Discuss and Provide Direction on Application for the Naming of the General Aviation Center (GAC) in Honor of Frank Robinson. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee discuss and provide direction on application for the naming of the General Aviation Center (GAC) in honor of Frank Robinson.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
On June 17, 2008, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2008-81, which authorized the City Council Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee to establish policies and procedures for naming City-owned properties, including land, buildings, and facilities. The resolution aims to guide the City Council in considering the following:
1. Criteria for naming or renaming City-owned land, buildings, and facilities in honor of individuals;
2. The circumstances under which such naming may occur; and
3. The duration of naming rights for City properties.
For your reference, Attachment 1 provides the full text of the naming policy and procedures.
On September 21, 2023, Facility Operations Manager Gerry Pinela submitted a Facility Naming Application on behalf of the Airport Commission. The Commission unanimously approved a motion to submit the application for renaming the General Aviation Center to the “Frank Robinson General Aviation Center.”
1 Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee
January 15, 2025
6 4
5 The Ad Hoc Naming Committee is tasked with reviewing the application and making a recommendation to the City Council. As part of this process, the Committee has received the following documents:
•A copy of Resolution No. 2008-81 (Attachment 1);
•A copy of the Facility Naming Application (Attachment 2) •A biography of Frank Robinson, which highlights his distinguished career spanning over 65 years in aviation and his many accomplishments (Attachment 3).
The Committee will proceed according to the criteria outlined in Resolution No. 2008-81, particularly focusing on individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation, the State of California, and/or the City of Torrance. Frank Robinson’s lifelong achievements in aviation make him a potential candidate for such recognition.
Upon the Committee’s review and recommendation, the City Council will consider the proposal, providing an opportunity for public input before a final decision is made.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 2008-81
2. Application for Facility Naming
3. Biography of Frank Robinson
2 RESOLUTION NO. 2OO8- 81
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THIS
CITY OF TORRANCE ESTABLISHING POL¡ CIES AND
PROCEDURES FOR THE NAMING OF CITY- OWNED
LAND, BUILDINGS, AND FACILITIES
The City Council of the City of Torrance does hereby resolve as follows
PURPOSE
To establish formal policies as a guide to the City Council in considering ( 1) appropriate names for City- owned land, buildings and facilities; ( 2) whether, and under what circumstances, such land, buildings, and facilities should be named or renamed in honor of individuals; and ( 3) the duration of naming rights of City- owned land, buildings and facilities,
ll SCOPE
This regulation is applicable to all City departments and offices responsible directly to the City Manager. lt is also requested that elective offices and other independent offices and departments of the City comply with these procedures in the interest of administrative uniformity.
POLICY
ln determining the names to be given to City- owned land, buildings and facilities, the City Council will give particular consideration to the following policy guidelines:
The City Council will consider candidate names for facilities whether submitted by Council members, City staff, City agencies, civic organizations, and/ or the general public including names incorporating the name of Torrance where it is deemed important for civic or other reasons for a building or facility to be identified with the City, Names that have recognizable geographic, topographic or historical significance associated with Torrance. ln assessing this type of name, the City Council will take into consideration the recommendations from different bodies such as the Planning Commission or Torrance Historical Society.
City, owned land, buildings and facilities may be named in honor of persons who have served the nation, the State of California and/ or the City of Torrance in an exceptional and distinguished manner; and, where such action is warranted by a contribution or service which is deemed to be of major significance.
The naming of City- owned land, buildings and facilities in honor of a deceased person shall generally not take place until after a minimum of one- year waiting period unless the City Council determines that there are overriding considerations deviating from this policy guideline. This particular policy guideline is not intended in any way to reflect on the merits of any deceased individual who may have been a prominent civic leader. However, it is felt appropriate to establish some type of waiting period to ensure that an individual' s accomplishments or contributions will stand the test of time; and that a decision shall not be made on an emotional basis immediately following a person' s death.
ORIGINAL
ATTACHMENT 1
3 City- owned land, buildings and facilities may be named after individuals or families who have donated the land or funds for the capital project, particularly if such naming is set forth as a condition of the donation.
The City Council may approve the naming of City- owned land, buildings, or facilities based on an organization or individual' s monetary contribution to the City for that purpose. The funds from that contribution may be used for any purpose deemed appropriate by the City Council unless there is a specified use as a condition of the contribution. The duration of the name is on a case- by- case basis at the discretion of the City Council unless othenruise set forth as a condition of the contribution approved by the Council.
The names of City- owned land, buildings and facilities shall not normally þe named in honor of individuals when they have previously been named for other individuals.
However, if the Council deems it appropriate, they may vary from this guideline on a case- by- case basis.
IV. PROCEDURES
Requests for naming or renaming of City- owned land, buildings and facilities shall be filed with the City Clerk for transmittal to the Mayor in writing, accompanied by a statement summarizing the justification for the recommended name( s).
The Mayor fonryards the request to the Chair of the Facility Naming Committee. The Chair schedules a meeting of the Committee to consider the request. The meeting is open to the public and gives members of the community an opportunity to give input to the process. The Committee should schedule the meeting within 30 days of receiving the request.
lf the request is denied by the Committee, no further action is taken, lf the request is approved, the Committee Chair directs staff to prepare a report for the full Council where public input is again received.
The City Council will make its determination as to the naming or renaming of City- owned land, þuildings and facilities at regularly scheduled meetings of the City Council at which staff, representatives of advisory bodies and civic organizations and the general public may offer testimony. lf the request is denied by the Council, no further action is taken. lf the City Council approves the request, staff is directed to go fonvard with implementing the naming of the facility. The steps taken to implement the request will be developed as an internal City process. The decision of the City Council will be final. lntroduced, approved and adopted this 17th day of June, 2008
APPROVED AS TO FORM
JOHN OWS City Attorney
Mayor Frank Scotto
ATTEST:
by
Ronald T, Pohl, Assist City Attorney Herbers, City Clerk 4 TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2008. 81
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF TORRANCE
AYES COUNCILMEMBERS
SS
l, Sue Herbers, City Clerk of the City of Torrance, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly introduced, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Torrance at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 17"' day of June, 2008 by the following roll call vote:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Date -
è*-"-- åå . Þ¿>:, g
Barnett, Brewer, Drevno, Nowatka, Sutherland,
Witkowsky, and Mayor Scotto.
None.
None.
None,
Herbers
of the City of Torrance
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
5 Facility Naming Application
Contact information for person submitting application
Date:
Name:
Address:
City/State/Zip Code:
Contact Phone #:
Facility for naming
Current Name of Facility:
Proposed Name o
f Facility
:
Location:
Candidate for facility naming
Name of Candidate:
Relation to City:
Please provide explanation of why the City should take this action:
Please submit the completed application to:
City of Torrance City Clerk’s Office
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
Once this form is submitted to the City Clerk, it will be forwarded to the Mayor for r
eview. If it meets the guidelines
for facility naming, the Mayor will forward the application to the Chair of the Council Committee on Naming Facilities.
The Chair will schedule a meeting of the full committee where the matter will be placed on the agenda and open for public comment. The Committee will then determine whether the application and recommendation for approval will be brought before the City Council for consideration. If the application goes before the City Council, there will be a second opportunity for public comment before any action is taken. If the Council approves the recommendation, city staff will move forward with implementation of the Council direction to rename the subject facility.
If you have any questions regarding this procedure, you may contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 618-2870 or the City Manager’s Office at (310) 618-5880. You may also refer to the Torrance website at https://www.torranceca.gov/government/council-committees/ad-hoc-facility-naming-committee for the complete policy and procedures for naming facilities in the City.
City of Torrance
3031 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: (310) 618-5880
Fax: (310) 618-5891
www.TorranceCA.Gov
ATTACHMENT A
S
September 21, 2023
Gerry Pinela
3301 Airport Dr.
Torrance, CA 90505
310-784-7900
General Aviation Center
Frank Robinson General Aviation Center
Zamperini Field, Torrance Municipal Airport
Frank Robinson
Founder of Robinson Helicopter Manufacturing
On September 14, 2023 the Airport Commission discussed options and procedures for naming opportunities to honor Frank Robinson. The Airport Commission passed unanimously, the motion to submit an applicaiton for the naming of the General Aviation to the "Frank Robinson General Aviation Center.
Currently, there is a hangar row in the East Ts named Frank Robinson Row, and there is also a street named Robinson Way.
Included is a copy of the Airport Commission Item 7B from the Airport Commission Meeting on September 14, 2023. Attached is Item 7B from the Airport Commission meeting and the Subject to Approval minutes from the September 14, meeting.
For any questions regarding this submission, please Contact Gerry Pinela, Airport Commission Liaison, [email protected].
Thank you,
Gerry Pinela
Print Form
ATTACHMENT 2
6 BIOGRAPHY OF FRANK ROBINSON
FRANK ROBINSON WAS BORN IN CARBONADO, WASHINGTON IN 1930. THE YOUNGEST OF FOUR CHILDREN, HE GREW UP DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION.
ROBINSON’S FASCINCATION WITH HELICOPTERS BEGAN IN 1939, WHEN HE WAS
NINE YEARS OLD, AFTER SEEING A PICTURE OF IGOR SIKORSKY HOVERING HIS VS- 300 HELICOPTER. THIS MOMENT CAPTIVATED ROBINSON AND SET THE COURSE FOR ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE NAMES IN THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY.
ROBINSON WOULD GO ON TO EARN HIS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AND LATER ATTENDED AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WICHITA. HE BEGAN HIS CAREER IN THE LATE ‘50s WITH CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY AND
MOVED THROUGH MANY MORE LEADING AEROSPACE COMPANIES INCLUDING BELL AND HUGHES. IN 1973, AT FORTY-THREE YEARS OLD, AFTER BEING UNABLE TO
CONVINCE HIS EMPLOYERS IN HIS CONCEPT OF A SIMPLE, SMALL, AND LOW-COST
PERSONAL HELICOPTER, ROBINSON RESIGNED AND FOUNDED ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY AT HIS HOME IN PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA.
IT WOULD ONLY TAKE SIX YEARS FOR ROBINSON TO DEFY HIS CRITICS AND GAIN FAA CERTIFICATION FOR HIS TWO-SEAT, PISTON POWERED R22 HELICOPTER BUILT IN A HANGAR AT TORRANCE AIRPORT. ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY WOULD DELIVER ITS FIRST PRODUCTION R22 IN OCTOBER 1979 AND BY 1989, THE R22 HAD
GAINED A FOOTHOLD IN THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY, OPENING A PREVIOUSLY
UNTAPPED MARKET FOR PRIVATE HELICOPTER OWNERSHIP AND BECOMING THE MOST POPULAR CIVILIAN HELICOPTER WORLDWIDE.
FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE R22, ROBINSON WOULD INTRODUCE THE FOUR- SEAT PISTON POWERED R44 WHICH WAS AN INSTANT SUCCESS. THE R44
PROPELED ROBINSON AND THE COMPANY TO THE TOP OF THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY. IN 2010, ROBINSON’S PASSION AND RELENTLESS DETERMINATION FOR
HELICOPTERS LED HIM TO EXPAND HIS LINE OF INDUSTRY DEFINING DESIGNS ATTACHMENT 3
7 WITH THE FIVE-SEAT, TURBINE POWERED R66. ALL THREE OF HIS DESIGNS HAVE
BECOME KNOWN FOR THEIR SIMPLICITY, RELIABLITY, AND DISTINCT PROFILE THAT CAN BE SPOTTED EASILY AND FREQUENTLY ACROSS THE GLOBE.
ROBINSON RETIRED IN 2010 AT 80 YEARS OLD. DURING HIS LONG AND INFLUENTIAL
JOURNEY, ROBINSON EARNED THE RESPECT OF BOTH COLLEAGUES AND
COMPETITORS FOR HIS VISION AND PASSION THAT REDIFINED THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY AND CHANGED GENERAL AVIATION FOREVER. ACROSS HIS MANY YEARS
OF INGENUITY, ROBINSON WAS RECOGNIZED WITH NUMBEROUS PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS AND HONORS. MOST NOTABLY INCLUDING THE IGOR I. SIKORSKY INTERNATIONAL TROPHY, IN THE NAME OF THE MAN WHO INSPIRED IT ALL.
FRANK ROBINSON PASSED AWAY ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022, AT THE AGE OF 92. ROBINSON IS SURVIVED BY SIX CHILDREN INCLUDING HIS SON KURT
ROBINSON WHO HAS TAKEN LEADERSHIP OF THE ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY WHICH NOW OCCUPIES OVER 600,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE ALONG ZAMPERINI FIELD, EMPLOYS OVER 1,000 PEOPLE, AND HAS SOLD OVER 13,000 HELICOPTERS WORLDWIDE.
8