Tampa City Council moved to schedule a first reading on July 17 to rename the multipurpose field at the Forest Hills Recreation Complex for the late Roland Paz Sr. and to install a commemorative marker describing his community work.

The item before the council called for recognizing Paz’s decades-long role organizing neighborhood youth soccer and advocating to improve the Forest Hills field. Michelle Van Loan of the city’s real estate department told council that Parks and Recreation had reviewed the documentation and recommended a commemorative marker; the final naming decision rests with council.

Councilman Viera, who moved the item, said there was “strong unanimous support” from the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association and introduced Officer Roy Paz, the organizer’s son, who urged the council to approve both the renaming and a marker. Officer Roy Paz described his father’s work starting the Forest Hills Youth Soccer League in 1973 and community efforts to improve a sandy, undeveloped field into the multiuse facility that exists today.

Council members praised the family’s legacy and the community’s support. Michelle Van Loan asked council to set a schedule so the public comment period for the first reading would be posted: materials would be posted the next day and public comment accepted May 23–June 16, with a July 17 first reading requested because of the council July holiday calendar.

Council voted unanimously to set the first reading for July 17 and to direct staff to post the item and public comment period as Van Loan described. The council did not adopt a final ordinance at the workshop; council set the procedural next step to bring the name change and marker back for formal consideration.

The city will publish the first-reading materials on the city website and accept written and in‑person public comment in the posted period before council considers formal adoption.