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Report Regarding a Resolution renaming the Westborough Recreation Center and Magnolia Center and naming the Caltrain Plaza after South San Francisco women who have provided extraordinary service to the community. (Valerie Sommer, Library Director)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council receive a recommendation from the Ad-Hoc Naming Committee and adopt a Resolution to rename the Westborough Recreation Center after Alice Peña Bulos and the Magnolia Center after Roberta Cerri Teglia and name the new Caltrain Station Plaza after Karyl Matsumoto.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
At the February 18, 2021 meeting of the City Council Naming Committee, Ad-Hoc Committee members Mayor Mark Addiego and Councilmember Flor Nicolas provided direction to staff regarding renaming the Westborough Recreation Center for Alice Peña Bulos, the Magnolia Center for Roberta Cerri Teglia and the forthcoming Caltrain Station Plaza for Karyl Matsumoto, women who have provided extraordinary service to the South San Francisco community. In honor of their contributions and service to the community, and as a significant public appreciation and celebration during Women’s History Month, the Committee asked staff to present these naming requests to City Council for their approval.
City Administrative Instruction
Administrative Instruction Section 1, #4 defining policies, responsibilities and procedures associated with naming of City facilities was finalized on August 1, 2005. It is attached for your reference. In addition to the practice of naming facilities based on geographic location, for easy reference by our residents, the Instruction also acknowledges special recognition of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the City, including, in this current request, individuals who are being honored for their public service as an elected official and/or as a community volunteer. Per Administrative Instruction 1.4, the proposed name may be reviewed, if necessary, by the Planning Commission or Parks and Recreation Commission, and summarized for consideration for City Council, which is responsible for final approval of the proposed name. There is a defined process for renaming existing City buildings, with a recreation facility re-naming reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission prior to City Council final approval. The Parks and Recreation Commission considered this item at their regular public meeting of March 16, 2021, and unanimously approved the renaming of the Westborough Recreation Center in honor of Alice Peña Bulos and the Magnolia Center in honor of Roberta Cerri Teglia.
Highlights of these honorees:
Proposed Renaming of Westborough Recreation Center for Alice Peña Bulos
Former Assemblymember and Mayor Gene Mullin requested the Westborough Recreation Center be renamed for “the icon, Alice Bulos.” He noted Ms. Bulos was a former college professor in the Philippines, a leader of the Filipino community in the north Peninsula area for many years, and lived across the street from Westborough Park. Ms. Bulos was a longtime South San Francisco resident, living in her house on Liberty Court with her daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren. She died in October 2016, but her impact lives on. She was a strong supporter of and advocate for the Filipino community and spent many years promoting public policies and services. As an inductee into the SMCO Women’s Hall of Fame, Ms. Bulos was recognized, among a long list of accomplishments, for working “tirelessly for equal rights in employment, housing, crime prevention and services for youth.” Furthermore, she was a “staunch champion of women’s issues and women in the work place.” Ms. Bulos left an indelible mark in the local Filipino community for her political leadership on the local, state and federal levels and was honored for her service and activism, including being acclaimed by the Democratic National Committee for a quarter century of service and was given the prestigious honor of serving on the Federal Council on Aging as an appointee of President Bill Clinton. Her grassroots voter registration drive brought more Filipino voices and participation into the political process. Ms. Bulos’ legacy carries on through the work of the local community activists and leaders she mentored. True to her dedication as a community organizer and greater diversity in government, she put together a large group of petitioners who attended a City Council meeting and advocated for the appointment of Pedro Gonzalez as the first Latino on City Council. Honoring Ms. Bulos by renaming this building as a Community Center dedicated to the legacy of the extraordinary woman known as the “Grand Dame of Filipino-American Politics,” in the South San Francisco neighborhood where she made such a positive impact on so many people, is an appropriate acknowledgement for a life strongly committed to service and community involvement.
Proposed Renaming of Magnolia Center for Roberta Cerri Teglia
Former Assemblymember and Mayor Gene Mullin also requested a City building be dedicated in honor of Roberta Cerri Teglia, the City's first female Planning Commissioner, Councilwoman and Mayor, breaking all sorts of barriers in achieving those positions. Ms. Teglia was born and raised in South San Francisco, receiving a B.A. in Political Science from Seattle University and advanced study at the College of Notre Dame. Her long career as an elementary school teacher, involvement on the Planning Commission, and college background preceded her election to City Council in 1978. Ms. Teglia served as Mayor four times over the course of her City Council career, spanning from 1978 - 1995. Her civic accomplishments were many. She was a driving force in establishing the SSF Conference Center; she worked with former Assemblymember, City Councilmember and Mayor Gene Mullin while he was the government teacher at South San Francisco High School to create the first Youth Government Day in 1981; she led the establishment of the Sister City Program with Atotonilco, Mexico. Among her many awards and recognitions, Ms. Teglia is also an inductee into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame as a “role model for women who strive to achieve their aspirations,” making this tribute additionally meaningful during Women’s History Month. During her City Council tenure, Ms. Teglia advocated for many projects and programs that enriched the lives of residents, was a strong advocate for Senior Services and was on City Council for the funding, planning and building of the Magnolia Senior Center. It is past-due to honor our first woman Council member, dedicated educator and civic leader by renaming Magnolia Center after her. This facility is aligned with Ms. Teglia’s core values; it embodies our City’s civic pride and is dedicated to the highest service levels for community members.
Proposed naming of the new South San Francisco Caltrain Station Plaza for Karyl Matsumoto
Former Mayor and Councilmember Karyl Matsumoto worked long and hard to bring a new Caltrain Station/Center to South San Francisco, incorporating her vision for a community plaza with art, landscaping and accessibility features. Ms. Matsumoto’s background and knowledge of and passion for public transportation, public art and community are exemplified by her advocacy for this partnership project with the San Mateo County Transportation District (SamTrans) and Transportation Authority (TA). During her long tenure on City Council (1997-2020), she is the first five-time Mayor, first elected Asian and the second woman to serve on Council, Ms. Matsumoto served on the Boards of SamTrans and TA representing the North County. She also served on the City/County Association of Governments Board representing South San Francisco, SamTrans and the TA. She was relentless in advocating for funding to rebuild South San Francisco’s train station thus making it safer, more efficient and accessible to riders. The Caltrain station was finally redesigned by 2009, it will remove the dangerous holdout track, make the station accessible from the both the east and west side of the city and equally important provide a safe route for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Highway 101. With the previous goals accomplished, she continued to advocate for the project and was successful in her support for design upgrades. The City Council authorized two separate funding amendments to improve the design and appearance of the station and plaza and established the Caltrain Plaza Art Selection Committee of which Ms. Matsumoto is a member. During her 40-year residency in South San Francisco, Karyl served on over 30 boards, commissions and committees. She founded the Sculpture Garden and was an initial member of the Cultural Arts Commission and a founding member of Improving Public Places both of which have guided this project. The Plaza will not only serve Caltrain riders, it will be an outdoor destination for the community to enjoy. The naming of the new Caltrain Station Plaza in honor of Ms. Matsumoto will recognize and reflect the importance of her advocacy for improving the quality of life for South San Francisco residents, businesses, workers and visitors.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact related to this report. However, should Council direct staff to move forward, proposed costs will be presented to Council.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Acknowledging and celebrating community members who have made a difference in South San Francisco is embedded in Priority #3: Quality of Life and Priority #6: Community Connections.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that City Council receive a recommendation from the Ad-Hoc Naming Committee and adopt a Resolution to rename the Westborough Recreation Center after Alice Peña Bulos and the Magnolia Center after Roberta Cerri Teglia and name the new Caltrain Station Plaza after Karyl Matsumoto.
Acceptance of this resolution will provide recognition of three exceptional South San Francisco women for their service and dedication to our community via the honor of renaming/naming identified City facilities or sites.
Attachment:
1. City Instruction Section 1, #4