City to prepare resolution naming East Sunset Way trailhead for the late Bill Ramos

The Issaquah City Council on July 21 directed the administration to prepare a resolution to name the East Sunset Way trailhead for the late Bill Ramos, a former council member and state representative. The motion passed 6–1.

City Clerk Tisha Gieser briefed the council on the city’s existing park‑naming policy, adopted in 1990, which calls for a mayoral committee with representatives from the parks board, the historical society and other organizations to make a recommendation for names. Members of the council who supported the immediate resolution said there has been consistent community support for honoring Ramos, who was widely described in council remarks as a longtime public servant with a personal connection to the trail.

Opponents said they supported honoring Ramos but preferred following the written naming policy to broaden community input before adopting a name. Council Member Ray cited the value of formal public process; other council members said the motion responds to significant community sentiment and that a short, direct resolution would not preclude continued public engagement.

Council Member Jang and others cited anecdotal neighborhood support; Council Member Hall asked the administration to consider updating the 1990 policy in the future to reflect modern practice and to add criteria such as recognition of ‘‘significant service to community.’’ City Clerk Gieser and Deputy City Administrator Andrea Snyder said the administration is open to updating the naming policy in a separate process.

The council vote directing staff to prepare a naming resolution passed by voice vote (6–1). Council Member Ray recorded the lone dissent on the dais.