Title
Presentation By The African American Advisory Council On The Council's Recommendation Regarding The Renaming Of Certain Streets In Hollywood.
Body
Staff Recommends: Presentation of Item
Explanation:
Community residents and activists have requested that Forrest, Hood, and Lee Streets be renamed due to the fact that they are named in honor of Confederate leaders. The City Commission has asked the African American Advisory Council (AAAC) to opine on the issue.
The AAAC held a Special Call Meeting on June 7, 2016 to deliberate on this issue.
The AAAC interpreted its task as to provide recommendations on two points:
1. Should the City Commission of the City of Hollywood rename Forrest, Lee, and/or Hood Street?
2. What steps should the City Commission take next concerning this issue?
After deliberating on impacts to the City and to the residents, the AAAC is making the following recommendation:
In the eyes of the AAAC, the names Forrest, Lee, and Hood are derogatory, socially unacceptable, represent persons that are responsible for immoral and/or egregious acts and therefore misrepresent the attitudes and morals of the citizens of Hollywood. The AAAC also noted that the street names in question would not meet the current street naming criteria. While the AAAC is recommending the renaming of Forrest, Lee, and Hood citywide, the Council clearly expressed that Forrest Street is a priority citywide.
Furthermore, because of the moral concerns of this action, the AAAC is recommending that the City Commission exempt itself (where eligible) from renaming procedures, waive all fees associated with the renaming of Forrest, Lee, and Hood Streets and identify new names via a public participation process.
As Chair of the AAAC, Dr. Mary Mites-Campbell will make a presentation on the AAAC's recommendation.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Dr. Wazir Ishmael, City Manager
Gus Zambrano, Assistant City Manager for Sustain...
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