CITY OF
Item No. 23
STAFF REPORT
DATE: July 27, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dr. Sean M. Moore, City Manager ✓
PREPARED BY: Megan Wolfe, Director of Community Services SUBJECT: Renaming 7th Street Park to George Leja Park
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve the renaming of 7th Street Park to George Leja Park; or
2. Provide further direction to staff.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The City of Yucaipa has a long-standing tradition of recognizing individuals whose leadership, service, and dedication have made lasting contributions to the community. The City's Facility Naming Policy establishes criteria and procedures for naming or renaming public facilities in honor of individuals who have served the community with distinction or who have made exceptional contributions to the welfare and reputation of the City.
Mayor Chris Venable requested consideration of renaming 7th Street Park in honor of George Leja, whose decades of community service helped shape Yucaipa's parks and recreation system.
George Leja was inducted into the City of Yucaipa Wall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his outstanding leadership, commitment to community service, and his ability to secure community support and resources for the development and improvement of parks, recreation facilities, and programs throughout Yucaipa. His efforts have had a lasting impact on the quality of life enjoyed by generations of residents.
On June 23, 2026, the Park and Recreation Commission reviewed the proposal in accordance with the City's Facility Naming Policy. Following discussion, the Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve renaming 7th Street Park to George Leja Park.
If approved, staff will update the park name on all applicable digital resources. Costs associated with replacing permanent park signage have not yet been determined or budgeted and will be evaluated and presented to the City Council at a future date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact associated with the proposed park renaming has not been included in the FY26/27 budget.
Attachment(s):
1. City of Yucaipa Facility Naming Policy
2. George Leja Wall of Fame Plaque
3. Location Map — 7th Street Park
4. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes of the June 23, 2026 meeting
ATTACHMENT
City of Yucaipa
Policy on the Naming of Facilities [DRAFT]
I. INTRODUCTION
The naming of a facility contributes to the City's sense of its own heritage and is a significant event in the history of the community. Such namings demand due consideration and consultation. This policy and related guidelines provide the basic and controlling regulations involved in the naming of facilities (defined below) for individuals or organizations. This document amplifies the City's policy by stipulating the detailed policies and procedures to be observed at the City of Yucaipa.
City Council shall have the authority to approve the naming of City facilities for individuals and organizations, Facilities shall include, but not be limited to, buildings, structures, thoroughfares, areas, or other spaces within facilities.
II. CRITERIA
In naming facilities, due attention must be given to the point that the adoption of names of individuals, families or organizations prominent in the history of the community will contribute to the City's heritage. The guidelines (attached) shall be followed, as well as the following additional criteria:
1. Names of living or deceased individuals may be considered.
2. A name proposed for a future but presently untitled facility so as to recognize a donation to the project may be considered when the donation represents a significant proportion of the value of the facility. For fund raising purposes, a reasonable objective is at minimum 50 percent of the estimated cost of the facility.
3. A name proposed for all or part of a facility that is to be renovated will normally require that the donation cover the full cost of the renovation.
4. A name proposed for a facility component may be considered when the gift is similar to donations received for comparable naming at similar facilities.
If a naming is contemplated as part of a fundraising drive, the City Council must be apprised of this fact in advance.
-176-
III. PROCEDURES
1. For a significant monetary contribution to the actual construction cost, if for new construction; the entire amount of the replacement or major renovation of a facility; or the fundraising goal:
a. The donation may be made in cash or a legally binding pledge and can be paid over time, usually within five years of naming the facility, unless other arrangements are made.
b. A portion of the donation may be in an irrevocable trust or other planned gift. c. Qualified contributions are receipted by the City or the appropriate foundation. d. The City of Yucaipa reserves the right to remove names from facilities when the gift remains unpaid beyond the five-year limit or the agreed upon date.
2. Specific contribution levels may be established with either fixed or minimwn dollar amounts for sponsorship of other facility components.
a. Such property may include, but not limited to, hardscape, benches, seats, special features, rooms, and outdoor plazas.
b. Amounts for these naming opportunities shall be reviewed periodically by the City Council.
3. When a donation is received for naming, that facility receives a designation that shall last a lifetime of the facility, subject to paragraph 3 of this rule. a. Demolition or significant renovation shall tenninate the designation. b. The individual, family, corporation, foundation (donor) involved in the initial naming may be offered an opportunity to retain the natning before any other naming gifts are considered.
4. City Council shall approve any action causing a name to be removed from an existing facility.
5. Any legal impropriety or other act which brings dishonor to the City on the part of the donor or a corporate donor who is no longer in existence shall make the gift and naming rights subject to reconsideration by the City.
-177-
Guidelines for Assigning the Names of Individuals,
Families or Organizations to City Facilities
1. When naming a facility for a person, family, or organization where there is no donation, the proposed honoree shall have achieved distinction in one or more of the following ways:
a. serving the City in a community service capacity with high distinction, or b. by contributing in other exceptional ways to the welfare and reputation of the City, or to the community in general.
2. When naming a facility for a person, family, or organization where there is a donation to the project or facility, consideration shall be given to the following factors:
a. the significance of the donation to the likely realization or success of a facility project, based on City guidelines and policies, b. the urgency or need for the project, or continuing support for the program, c. the standing of the individual, family, or entity in the community or profession,
d. the nature and duration of the relationship of the proposed honoree to the community.
3. Prior to approving the naming of a facility for a person, family or organization, the City Council shall have a reasonable assurance that:
a. the proposed name will bring additional honor and distinction to the City, b. the recognition implied by the naming is appropriate for the behavior exhibited by the individual, family, or organization, and c, any philanthropic commitments connected with the naming can be realized. -179-
ATTACHMENT 2
ATTACHMENT 3
P-7
ATTACHMENT 4
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTE EXCERPT
A Special meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission of the City of Yucaipa was called to order in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 34272 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, California, at the hour of 6:06 PM., on the 23`d day of June 2026 with Chairperson Tarah Van Grouw presiding.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Denise Allen, Commissioner
Spencer Gonzales, Vice -Chairperson
Tarah Van Grouw, Chairperson
ABSENT: Joel Keller, Commissioner
A quorum of the Park and Recreation Commission was present.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7
: RECOMMENDATION TO RENAME 7TH STREET PARK TO GEORGE LEJA PARK RECOMMENDATION: That the Park and Recreation Commission:
1. Review the proposal to rename 7th Street Park as George Leja Park; and
2. Forward the recommendation to the City Council for final consideration.
DISCUSSION: Director of Community Services, Megan Wolfe presented the item.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
• Jim Holden
• Chris Venable
• Paul Kielhold
• Brett Granlund
• Red Simmons
DISCUSSION: Chairperson Van Grouw requested information regarding the cost of re-signage be provided. Commissioner Allen requested the history of how and when Lillian Eaton Park came to be, be provided as well in the staff report provided to City Council for consideration.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ALLEN, SECOND BY VICE -CHAIR GONZALES, CARRIED 3-0-1 (COMMISSIONER KELLER WAS ABSENT), TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL AND SEND THE ITEM TO CITY COUNCIL.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO }
CITY OF YUCAIPA } ss
I, Tara Davis, Administrative Assistant of the City of Yucaipa, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full and correct excerpt of the Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Yucaipa Park and Recreation Commission held on the 23`d day of June 2026.
Tara Davis
Administrative Assistant