TITLE
Recommendation to approve that a section of Marine Stadium Park be named the “Conductor Larry Curtis Concert Park”. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
On July 6, 2021, Third District Councilwoman Suzie Price requested that the Mayor and the members of the City Council refer to the Marine Advisory Commission (Commission) and the Government, Personnel and Elections Oversight Committee (Committee), a request to recommend that a section of Marine Stadium Park be named the “Conductor Larry Curtis Concert Park” in memory of former Municipal Band Conductor, Larry Curtis (Attachment A). Marine Stadium Park is located at 5255 E. Paoli Way (Attachment B). Mr. Curtis served as conductor for the Long Beach Municipal Band for 27 years, conducting nearly 700 concerts. The Municipal Band is an important part of the City’s history and each year, brings Long Beach residents and visitors together to enjoy summer nights in parks throughout the City. Marine Stadium Park has long been known for the Municipal Band concert tradition and entertaining thousands of community members each week, creating valuable memories for generations. Mr. Curtis passed away in July of 2020.
The City’s Policy and Process for Naming of City-owned Land, Buildings, and Facilities Administrative Regulation (AR 8-7) provides the policy to guide the consideration of a naming request:
• The name should incorporate Long Beach whenever important for civic recognition or identification;
• A name in honor of a recognized geographic area, a topographic feature or a historically significant event may be appropriate;
• A name in honor of persons or families who have donated the land or a substantial portion of the improvement costs may be appropriate when applicable;
• A name in honor of a person or persons who have served the nation, the State of California, and/or the City of Long Beach in an exceptional or distinguished manner may be appropriate if warranted by service of major significance;
• A name in honor of a living person, or of a deceased person within one year of their death, is not appropriate unless the significance of that person’s contribution is worthy of an exception to the policy;
• A name in honor of a person is not appropriate when a name in honor of another person has been given to the same site, building or facility in the past;
• A name in honor of a person is not appropriate if that person been overly
recognized in the past, and;
• A name may be selected through a competition or a contest.
In accordance with AR 8-7, Councilwoman Price’s naming request is referred to the Marine Advisory Commission for consideration. The Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Government, Personnel and Elections Oversight Committee and then back to the City Council for final confirmation, consistent with AR8-7.
The Commission approved the recommended action at their meeting on August 12, 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost for fabrication and installation of a standard park flag sign is estimated to be $2,300. If a different type of signage is desired, an estimate would be obtained and presented to the Council Office for consideration. Implementation of this recommendation is anticipated to result in a minimum impact to staff hours beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and a minimum impact to Parks, Recreation and Marine Department budget and City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ELVIRA HALLINAN, MANAGER MARINAS AND BEACHES