HomeMy WebLinkAboutApprove Formal Naming of Parkland at 17281 Eucalyptus Lane a (2) 2000 Main Street,
rJ �,�r0ti Huntington Beach,CA
'�► , 92648
City of Huntington Beach 6-0-1
APPROVED
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outar,
File #: 24-137 MEETING DATE: 2/20/2024
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
,SUBMITTED BY: Eric G. Parra, Interim City Manager
PREPARED BY: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
Subject:
Approve the formal naming of parkland located at 17281 Eucalyptus Lane as "Vella Park," as
recommended by the Community & Library Services Commission
Statement of Issue:
Parkland located at 17281 Eucalyptus Lane has not yet been formally named. The Community and
Library Services Commission recently made a recommendation to name it "Vella Park" in honor of
fallen Police Officer, Nicholas Vella.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
Approve the naming of parkland located at 17281 Eucalyptus Lane, `Vella Park," in honor of fallen
Police Officer Nicholas Vella, as recommended by the Community & Library Services Commission.
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approved the recommended action, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The parkland at 17281 Eucalyptus Lane is a 1.7-acre neighborhood park built in 2018 by Shea
Homes in conjunction with the development of the Parkside Estates Community. In 2019, the park
was dedicated to the City, consisting of a playground, walking paths, passive areas, picnic shelter
with tables, bench seating, public art, and a restroom building. The park landscaping and restrooms
are maintained by the Homeowners Association (HOA), while the hardscape, playground, picnic
shelter and other equipment is maintained by the City. Up until now, this park has not been formally
named and has been informally listed as "Parkside Estates Park" on the City's website.
On September 13, 2023, the Community & Library Services Commission approved the activation of
the Park Naming and Memorials Committee (PNMC). As part of that action, Vice Chair Lolly
McHardy and Commissioners Lisa-Lane Barnes and Laura Costelloe were appointed to serve.
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File #: 24-137 MEETING DATE: 2/20/2024
In December 2023, the public was notified of the naming opportunity through a posting in the "HB
Wave" newspaper. Additionally, 2,031 letters were delivered to all homes within a 1,500-foot radius
of the park.
Per Resolution 2017-25, the naming of parks and park amenities is vetted through the Community &
Library Services Commission. On January 9, 2024, the PNMC held a public meeting to deliberate on
the topic. Three public comments were received, including naming suggestions for Mr. Frank Ciarelli,
honoring the history of the Tongva Native American Tribe who once inhabited the area, and fallen
Officer Nicholas Vella. The PNMC voted to unanimously recommend the park be named after Officer
Vella.
On February 7, 2024, the Community & Library Services Commission deliberated and also
unanimously approved the recommendation to formally name the parkland "Vella Park."
Nicholas (Nick) Vella was born in Whittier, CA on March 11, 1977 to his parents John and Marcella
Vella. He lived in Mexico City with his family during his early high school years and eventually
graduated from St. Margaret's High School in San Juan Capistrano with the class of 1995. While at
St. Margaret's, Nick was a dedicated Tartan who played basketball and football and sang in the
Highlander Chorale.
Nick began serving the public by working as a lifeguard at the Laguna Niguel city pool. In 2002, he
was hired by the City of Laguna Beach as a seasonal beach patrol officer, which eventually led Nick
to a career in law enforcement when on December 8, 2003, Nick became an officer for the Laguna
Beach Police Department. He worked in Laguna Beach for nearly five years, when his ultimate goal
to fly helicopters led him to the City of Huntington Beach. Nick was hired as an officer for the
Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) on April 15, 2008, and a few months later was married
to his wife, Kristi.
While at HBPD, Nick served as a Patrol Officer, a SWAT Officer, a SWAT Sniper, and for the last six
years, was assigned to the Air Support Unit. Additionally, Nick represented the police department
with the highest degree of professionalism in the community and participated in events such as
Operation Surf, Baker to Vegas, Adaptive Freedom Foundation, the Huntington Beach Police
Officers' Foundation, and Wounded Warriors.
On February 19, 2022, Officer Nicholas Vella was selflessly serving the City of Huntington Beach
when he was taken from us far too early. Nick led a true hero's life and was a civil servant until the
very end. Nick is survived by his wife Kristi, daughter Dylan, father John, mother Marcella, brother
John Arthur and countless extended family members, including his law enforcement family.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will
not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
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File #: 24-137 MEETING DATE: 2/20/2024
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attach ment(s):
1. Resolution 2017-25 - Name of City Parks, Park Features and Community Facilities.
2. PowerPoint naming of the parkland located at 17281 Eucalyptus Lane.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2017-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ESTABLISHING A POLICY
FOR THE NAMING OF CITY PARKS, PARK FEATURES AND
COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS
WHEREAS, it is desirable that appropriate names be chosen when naming City parks,
park features and community facilities which in some instances recognizes donations of furniture
and/or park play equipment and other amenities, and that a policy be adopted by the City Council
to accomplish this purpose,
NOW,THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach does hereby
resolve as follows:
1. That the policies contained in this Resolution shall be instituted for the naming of
the City's parks, park features and community facilities, and in some cases will recognize
donations of furniture and park/play equipment and other amenities.
2. That parks adjacent to schools be named the same as the school.
3. That if an entire park or sizable portion of a park which is not adjacent to a school
is donated by an individual or family, it may be named after the donor.
4. That if the park is neither adjacent to a school nor donated, all or in part, it may be
named after past Huntington Beach mayors who are no longer members of the City Council
("Former Mayors"). In addition, other individuals, including past council members, (or other
names) maybe proposed. The names of these persons may be considered when their unique
contributions have had a City, state or national impact, are marked by excellence and are worthy
of honor.
5. That in addition to parks, other community facilities such as lakes, park features
of Huntington Central Park, structures (other than restrooms and benches), groves of trees,
walkways,playing fields, group camp and picnic sites, gardens,play equipment areas, meadows,
amphitheaters,vistas, bridges and wildlife refuges may be named after former mayors to honor
• them for their service to the City. In addition, other individuals, including past council members,
may be proposed when their unique contributions have had a City, state or national impact, are
marked by excellence and are worthy of honor. In addition, other individuals or other names
may be proposed.
6. That if a park,park feature or other community facility is to be named based on a
finding of historical significance, in addition to review by the Community. Services
Commission, the City of Huntington Beach Historic Resources Board will be consulted prior to a
recommendation from the Community Services Commission to City Council.
17-5896/161355/mv 1
213
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-25
7. That if park or pier furniture such as picnic tables, benches, trash cans, or play
equipment is donated by an individual, civic organization, family or business, the donor may
receive recognition by having the name of a person, family or business placed on the donation.
For example, if a donation in memory of a relative were given to the City for a pier bench, the
following guidelines would apply when naming the bench: The name only, including the year; in
honor of(individual's name), including the year; in memory of(individual's name), including the
year.
Another example if a donation were made for a modular piece of play equipment or a park bench
from a company with the bench placed immediately adjacent to a new tot lot with the inscription
"This tot lot is donated to the City of Huntington Beach by
Company."
8. That if a business or other entity offers to pay the City in exchange for the City
naming a facility or park after the business, then the City may enter into an agreement for the
same. The agreement must be prepared by the City Attorney and approved by the City Council.
9. That only one park, park feature or community facility shall be named for an
individual.
10. That all recommendations for park/pier memorial naming be processed through
the Community Services Commission which shall make a recommendation to the City Council
for final approval or denial. City Council retains all authority to name a park, park features and
community facilities without returning to the Community Services Commission.
11. That Resolution No. 2004-90 and all other resolutions in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a
regular meeting thereof held on the 7T H day of AUGUST , 2017.
rigs
• Mayor .
REVIEW, ) •.PPROVED: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ity anager City Atto ey
INITI TE AND APPROVED:
c.
ctor of Community Services
17-5896/161355/mv 2
214
Res. No. 2017-25
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH )
I, ROBIN ESTANISLAU the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the
City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do
hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach is seven; that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted
by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council
at a Regular meeting thereof held on August 7, 2017 by the following vote:
AYES: O'Connell, Semeta, Posey, Delgleize, Hardy, Brenden, Peterson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECUSE: None •
_ u)
City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the
City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach, California
215
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Formal of
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parkiand at, , ,,,, Eucalyptus 17281
4. , ., ___,A_.___„____ _ _, _______„ •
, . ,_-__ ___-,_ . ,, ,,
„ ;• Lane as "Vella
,__ Park
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/ ,
February
216
Resolution No .
2017 -25
Naming o Parks ,
Park Features and
Facilities
Community 0�C1-� NTINGT__'
U
p .
\,\�A.,�FF_"��-FAO-•
on.
UNTY 0, ie
217
Resolution No . 2017 -2
1 . That the policies contained in this Resolution shall be instituted for
the naming of City's parks, park features and community facilities,
and in some cases will recognize donations of furniture and
park/play equipment and other amenities.
2. Not Pertinent - Naming of parks adjacent to schools.
3. Not Pertinent - Named in honor of donor.
4. That if the park is neither adjacent to a school nor donated, all or in
part, it may be named after past Huntington Beach mayors who are
no longer members of the City Council ("Former Mayors"). . In
addition, other individuals, includingpast council members, (or ° <,* ....-
addition, � ff.+.+\�OOAPOBprFO•'• �J"
other names) may be proposed. The names of these persons may ttie--7-7=-7o- ,,;:J. '.; k
be considered when their unique contributions have had a City,
state or national impact, are marked by excellence and are worthy ..7,
:2 '... Ae. 4� ,V
of honor.
218
Resolution No . 2017 -2
5. That in addition to parks, other community facilities such as lakes,
park features of Huntington Central Park, structures (other than
restrooms and benches), groves of trees, walkways, playing fields,
group camp and picnic sites, gardens, play equipment areas,
meadows, amphitheaters, vistas, bridges and wildlife refuges may be
names after former mayors to honor them for their service to the City.
In addition, other individuals, including past council members may be
proposed when their unique contributions have had a City, state or
national impact, are marked by excellence and are worthy of honor. In
addition, other individuals or other names may be proposed. 00101iNCTo
6. That if apark, park feature or other communityfacilityis to be named .•'N �RRORgrf�••.�
��'°='=ter=: _ • ��,��
based on a finding of historical significance, in addition to review by $ ,--31
the Community Services Commission, the City of Huntington Beach +"ate"'
Historic Resources Board will be consulted prior to a recommendation ��2;<FB:f; j9,';'-'`o
'Fe��NTl' C����•1
from the Community Services Commission to City Council. _��,��,
219
Resolution No . 2017 -25
7. Not pertinent — Donated amenities, such as park benches.
8. Not pertinent — Paid sponsorship naming criteria.
9. That only one park, park feature or community facility shall
be named for an individual.
10. That all recommendations for park/pier memorial naming
be processed through the Community Services
Commission which shall make a recommendation to the
City Council for final approval or denial. City Council
retains all authority to name a park, park features and
�i ANT i N�T
community facilities without returning to the Community �0 OAPORATFp•...46)
Services Commission.
os
220
Park
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Located at 17281 . t ,
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About Parkiand
This 1 .7-acre neighborhood park consists of a playground area,
walking paths, passive areas, picnic tables, bench seating , a
picnic shelter, public art, and a restroom building .
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Backgroundof th Parkland
• 2018 — Shea Homes developed the Parkside m ,,T
Estates Community, which included a 1 .7-acre park.
• 2019 — The Park was dedicated to the Cityand sg �`'
opened to the public in the summer 2019. x °
lA
• The Park became the 78th park in the City's
'
inventory. g rto tp .
• The Park landscape is maintained by the HOA, while
the hardscape, playground, picnic, and other
equipment are maintained by the City.
• 2023 — In December, the public was notified of the
naming opportunity through the HB Wave
newspaper and 2,031 letters were delivered within a
1 ,500 ft. radius of the Park.
223
•
- 1e ; 1
N € ,park Naming & Memoria ;,a { .4414
• The Commission reactivated the Park Naming _ .� � ,, -,
& Memorials Committee (PNMC) at the 3,'� .,A Silk r , ;„ qv,rk. k-
atf'e#'+� 't s..`� 7101 � �
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September 13, 2023 meeting. sciii , .�
• The PNMC met on January 9, 2024, to review � pia.
naming recommendations received through
supplemental communications and public
speakers. These included Frank Ciarelli, a pasta ,�t � s
City employee who was instrumental in several �� s
citywide programs, the Tongva Native American
Tribe, who once inhabited the area, and fallen �
Officer Nicholas Vella. - ,:
•
224
Park Naming & Memorials Committee
•On February 7, 2024, the Commission
unanimously approved to recommend the park
be formally named "Vella Park."
225
Recommended
Approve naming the parkland located at 17281
Eucalyptus Lane, "Vella Park," in honor of fallen Officer
Nicholas Vella. /o/ , .........TOE
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Officer Leslie James Prince
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were assigned to assist a traffic officer with traffic control at the intersection of
, Beach Boulevard and Adams Avenue.There had boon a power failure which
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Mr.Amory Hanson
8102 Ellis Avenue
Apartment 121
Huntington Beach CA 92646
February 20,2024
The Mayoress of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach CA 92648
My Dear Madam Mayoress,
I would like to express my support for Item XII.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr.Amory Hanson
CC:The Honorable Patrick Burns
CC:The Honorable Rhonda Bolton
CC:The Honorable Daniel Kalmick
CC: The Honorable Casey McKeon
CC:The Honorable Natalie Moser
CC: The Honorable Anthony Strickland
SUPPLEMENTAL
CO .,.MUNICATION
2/20/2024
kAaating Date:
12(24-137)
Agenda Item No.;