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Council pauses renaming of Calle Cesar Chavez citing resident costs and divided input
Summary
The council received public input on a proposed renaming of Calle Cesar Chavez and, after staff reported that 24 of ~100 notices were returned with 19 opposed, voted to conclude the renaming process for now with the option to reconsider later.
The council considered whether to change the name of Calle Cesar Chavez and reviewed outreach results and public comments on July 14. Staff said the city sent roughly 100 notifications and questionnaires to affected residents and property owners; of the roughly 80 directly affected households, 24 responses were returned, with 19 (approximately 82 percent) opposed and five in support.
Council members expressed concern about the immediate financial burden on residents and the city's constrained budget. One council member said the current economic climate made it "not beneficial for our community to change it at this time." Several public commenters urged both fiscal caution and support for reconsideration in the future; some speakers said they supported removing the name for moral reasons but recognized the cost to residents.
After discussion, council moved to "conclude the street naming/renaming process for the present time with the option for possible reconsideration at a later date." The motion carried by voice vote (all ayes). Staff noted that alternative replacement names — such as Camino Dolores Huerta — were discussed but not advanced at this time.
The council directed staff to pause further renaming activity and to provide future notice if the city determines to resume the process when fiscal conditions are more favorable.
