TITLE
Recommendation to consider naming the Center Theatre to be renamed the "Beverly O'Neill Theatre" in honor of her contributions to the City of Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND
The Board of Directors for the International City Theatre (ICT) wish to change the name of the theatre to the "Beverly O'Neill Theatre" in honor of her many contributions to the civic, education, non-profit, arts and cultural communities of Long Beach. ICT is currently undergoing exterior construction, so the name change would be incorporated into the project.
DISCUSSION
Administrative Regulation memo (AR8-7) discusses the Policy and Procedures for the Naming of City-owned Land, Buildings, Facilities (attached). One particular guideline in the administrative policy states, "City-owned land, buildings and facilities will not normally be named after living persons unless the City Council deems it appropriate to take such action on the basis of a significant contribution, monetary or otherwise, which warrants a deviation from this policy guideline."
The Honorable Beverly O'Neill has spent a lifetime serving residents, organizations and institutions in Long Beach. She is a product of our Long Beach school system, starting in nursery school through California State University, Long Beach. She had a long and distinguished 31-year career in education as faculty member, administrator, and Superintendent-President of Long Beach City College. Beverly O'Neill is the only person to fulfill three terms as Mayor of the City of Long Beach and distinguished herself as the nation's only large city Mayor to be re-elected as a write-in candidate in her final term. During those mayoral terms, she led the city through arguably some of its most difficult years as the Navy closed its shipyard and aerospace was downsizing. She is credited with shepherding the city to better economic times and instilling a sense of self-confidence into our civic mindset.
Among her contributions to arts and culture, then LBCC president Beverly O'Neill championed International City Theatre (now the City's Resident Professional Theatre Company at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center by unanimous City Council vote) from its birth by its founder, Shashin Desai, who was Chair of the Theatre, Dance and Film Department at Long Beach City College. She continued to support International City Theatre when it moved downtown in
1997 through its current 30th Anniversary. With her strong background in education, she has remained supportive of the many education programs (six) International City Theatre provides to community members of all ages. Having played a major role in planting the seed for ICT's birth and growth, it is especially meaningful to her and our city that she be properly recognized and appreciated.
According to the CSULB 4ger Foundation, her honors and awards include: Citizen of the Year from the Exchange Club, the Humanitarian Award from the National Council of Christians and Jews (California Conference on Equity and Justice), Woman of Excellence Award from the YWCA, Business Woman of the Year from Long Beach Business & Professional Women, and Woman of the Year from the Long Beach Human Relations Commission. She was awarded CSULB's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1984 and the Golden Achievement Award from the university's Alumni Association in 1999. Recently, she received the Crystal Arts and Humanitarian Award from International City Theatre for her significant contributions to arts, culture and education.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUJA LOWENTHAL
VICE MAYOR, SECOND DISTRICT