Item 26 - Resolution Authorizing Ceremonial Street Naming

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Public Works Agency www.santa-ana.org/pw Item # 26 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report December 6, 2022 TOPIC: Resolution Authorizing Ceremonial Street Naming AGENDA TITLE Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Ceremonial Street Naming (General Fund) RECOMMENDED ACTION 1. Adopt a resolution authorizing the ceremonial street naming of Helen M. Shipp Way, along Willits Street from Fairview Street to Bristol Street, and the ceremonial naming of the intersection of Willits Street and Raitt Street to Black History Square. 2. Direct staff to install a certain number of ceremonial signs to be approved for the stretch along Willits Street from Fairview Street to Bristol Street. DISCUSSION On August 2, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS 3024 to recognize outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact on their community through the commemorative or honorary naming of streets or intersections. In accordance with the ordinance, Councilmember Hernandez initiated a request to honor Helen M. Shipp. Helen M. Shipp and her family legacy has made a profound and lasting cultural impact on the neighborhood they called home, the City of Santa Ana, for over five generations by creating community events for African American culture to thrive in and advance equality for all. Historically, our Black History Month celebration, along with the Black History Parades within the city, stem directly from Helen M. Shipp. It began small, with no more than eight family members near the intersection of Raitt Street and Willits Street. Due to her advocacy for the African American community to be recognized for their significance within the city and the impact it created for African Americans living in Santa Ana, the parade grew to upwards of 20,000 in attendance. The Ceremonial “Helen M. Shipp Way” signs are proposed to be installed along Willits Street from Fairview Street to Bristol Street. In addition, the intersection of Raitt Street and Willits Street is proposed to be designated with “Black History Square” ceremonial signs. Exhibit 1 shows the proposed sample signs. Exhibit 2 shows three signage location options with the number of signs ranging from 7 to 14 signs. Staff requests that the City