HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13 - Adopt Resolution Authorizing Ceremonial Street Naming of Virginia and William Guzman WayPublic Works Agency
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Item # 13
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
June 18, 2024
TOPIC: Ceremonial Street Naming of Virginia and William Guzman Way
AGENDA TITLE
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Ceremonial Street Naming of Virginia and William
Guzman Way (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a resolution authorizing the Ceremonial Street Naming of Virginia and William
Guzman Way along Santa Ana Boulevard from Pacific Avenue to Forest Avenue.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DIRECTING AND AUTHORIZING A CEREMONIAL
STREET NAME OF VIRGINIA AND WILLIAM GUZMAN WAY ALONG SANTA ANA
BOULEVARD FROM PACIFIC AVENUE TO FOREST AVENUE
2. Direct Staff to install two ceremonial street signs along Santa Ana Boulevard at the
intersection of Pacific Avenue and Forest Avenue.
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
On August 2, 2022, City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS-3024 and subsequently on
June 6, 2023, adopted Ordinance NS-3042, amending the language to restrict the
number of signs to two when recognizing the outstanding individuals who have made a
significant impact on their communities through the commemorative or honorary naming
of streets or intersections.
In accordance with Ordinance NS-3042, Councilmember Hernandez initiated a request
to honor Virginia and William Guzman (Guzmans) as their legacy has made a profound
and lasting impact on Mexican and Mexican American children in the City of Santa Ana.
Virginia Guzman attended Fremont Elementary, a school designated solely for Mexican
students, during a time when educational authorities in Orange County subjected
children from diverse background to inadequate learning conditions. As a child, she
vividly recalled her principal physically disciplining students for speaking Spanish.
These memories remained fresh in Virginia's mind when her son, Billy, anticipated
Ceremonial Street Naming of Virginia and William Guzman Way
June 18, 2024
Page 2
attending Fremont Elementary in the mid-1940s. Determined to secure a better
education for her child, she approached school officials about transferring him to a
superior and predominantly white school. However, her requests were met with refusal.
Undeterred, Virginia and her husband William rallied other parents in an attempt to
persuade the Santa Ana School Board to dismantle the segregated school system.
When these efforts proved pointless, the Guzmans pursued legal action, filing their
lawsuit against school segregation —an original move preceding similar actions by
others. Despite their resolve, the lawsuit did not yield the desired outcome.
Consequently, Virginia pulled her son from public schools, enrolling him in a Catholic
institution instead.
The Guzmans, along with four other families, were instrumental in the landmark case
against the City of Santa Ana. The case, Mendez et al Westminster et al, unfolded in
the mid-1940s and addressed discriminatory practices within the Orange County school
system. Specifically, Mexican children were unfairly separated from their white
counterparts and were unjustly labeled as intellectually inferior and unclean.
Virginia and William connected with parents in Westminster, El Modena, and Garden
Grove and filed Mendez et al v. Westminster School District, which helped to end school
segregation in California. The Mendez, et al. v. Westminster School District of Orange
County, et al. (1947) case not only set a precedent for later court cases, such as Brown
v. Board of Education, but also showcased the Mexican American community's
leadership in fighting for their rights and winning.
The Public Works Agency, Traffic Engineering Section spoke with Virginia's daughter
Beverly Gallegos -Guzman where she shared her mother's continued advocism later in
life. After William's passing in 1978, Virginia relocated to Riverside, CA, where she
spent the remainder of her life. Even in her later years, she remained an active
advocate and demonstrated "her unwavering desire was to assist those in need." Upon
settling in Riverside, Virginia became engaged with the Riverside County Office on
Aging. She selflessly offered her own funds for gasoline to provide transportation for
seniors, ensuring they could run errands and attend medical appointments.
The Ceremonial "Virginia and William Guzman Way" signs (Exhibit 1) are proposed to
be installed along Santa Ana Boulvard at the intersection with Pacific Avenue to Forest
Street (Exhibit 2).
The ordinance requires a resolution for the approval of the ceremonial sign (Exhibit 3).
Additionally, the ordinance allows for certain requirements, such as notice of application
and program fees to be waived by majority vote of the City Council when the request is
initiated by a current Council member. Approval of this resolution includes waiving the
ceremonial street name installation fees in the amount not to exceed $1,562.
Ceremonial Street Naming of Virginia and William Guzman Way
June 18, 2024
Page 3
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with the action.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of funds needed is based on the option selected by City Council. A
total amount not to exceed of $1,562 is needed for the production and installation the
two Ceremonial Street signs. Funds are available in Account No. 01104012-62300.
Fiscal Year
Accounting Unit-
Fund
Accounting Unit -
Amount
Account No.
Description
Account Description
City Council Service
2023-24
01104012-62300
General
Enhanvement,
$1,562
Fund
Contract Services -
Professional
Total
$1,562
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Ceremonial Street Signs for William and Virginia Guzman
2. Signage Location Map
3. Resolution
Submitted By: Nabil Saba, P.E., Executive Director — Public Works Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nunez, Acting City Manager
Exhibit 1
'APPROVEDE DATER
CITY ENGINEER
DATE
REVISION
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CITY OF SANTA ANA
PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY
CEREMONIAL
STREET SIGN TOPPER
EXHIBIT 3
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-xx
A RESOLUTON OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA ANA DIRECTING AND
AUTHORIZING A CEREMONIAL STREET NAME
OF VIRGINIA AND WILLIAM GUZMAN WAYALONG
SANTA ANA BOULEVARD FROM PACIFIC
AVENUE TO FOREST AVENUE
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana (hereinafter referred to as the "City") is a charter
city and municipal corporation duly organized and existing pursuant to and under the
provisions of the laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, on August 2, 2022, the City Council for the City of Santa Ana approved
Ordinance No. NS-3024 amending Chapter 33 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (Streets
Sidewalks and Public Works) by adding Article XI enabling ceremonial naming of streets
to recognize outstanding individuals or events that have made a significant impact on the
community through the commemorative or honorary naming of streets or intersections;
and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2023, the City Council for the City of Santa Ana approved
Ordinance No. NS-3042 amending the language of Chapter 33, Article XI of the City's
Municipal Code to restrict the quantity of signs to two (2), when recognizing outstanding
individuals who have made a significant impact on their community through the
commemorative or honorary naming of streets or intersections; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 33, Article XI of the City's Municipal Code, as amended,
details the application process including the procedures, fees, and details for when and
how said procedures and fees may be waived by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, Virginia and William Guzman have made a profound and lasting
impact on Mexican and Mexican American children in the City of Santa Ana due to their
activism and efforts to fight discrimination and segregation; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Hernandez initiated a request to honor the legacy of
Virginia and William Guzman to recognize the lasting cultural impact they and their family
brought to the City of Santa Ana; and
WHEREAS, ceremonial "Virginia and William Guzman WY" sign toppers are
proposed to be installed at the intersections of Santa Ana Boulevard at Pacific Avenue
and Santa Ana Boulevard at Forest Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 33, Article XI of the City's Municipal Code, as amended,
requires a resolution for the approval of ceremonial sign toppers; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 33, Article XI of the City's Municipal Code, as amended,
provides that certain requirements for said ceremonial street naming, such as notice of
Resolution No. 2024-XX
Page 1 of 4
EXHIBIT 3
application, and all applicable fees and charges may be waived by majority vote of the
City Council when the request is initiated by a current Council member; and
WHEREAS, "Virginia and William Guzman WY" is not in conflict with the public
interests and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Santa, based on the significant cultural
legacy established by Virginia and William Guzman for the City of Santa Ana, finds the
designation of such honorary street name is warranted.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Council hereby waives the requirements of the Application process,
pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 33-262(e), including all applicable fees
and charges.
Section 2. The portion of Santa Ana Boulevard between Pacific Avenue and
Forest Avenue shall receive ceremonial street sign toppers of "Virginia and William
Guzman WY."
Section 3. The Public Works Department is hereby directed to cause the
ceremonial street signs as affected by this Resolution to be fabricated and installed.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the
City Council and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution.
ADOPTED this day of , 2024
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
Resolution No. 2024-XX
Page 2 of 4
EXHIBIT 3
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:
B on Salvatierra
Deputy City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers
Resolution No. 2024-XX
Page 3 of 4
EXHIBIT 3
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, , City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2024- to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council
of the City of Santa Ana on , 2024.
Date:
Jennifer L. Hall
City Clerk
Resolution No. 2024-XX
Page 4 of 4