The Manager's report back on renaming the Agassiz neighborhood

With regard to the above-mentioned policy order, we report the following.

At their January 14, 2020 meeting, the Agassiz Neighborhood Council discussed a neighborhood name change proposal that would remove scientist Louis Agassiz’s name and possibly rename the neighborhood after Maria L. Baldwin.

Those present voted to change the neighborhood name and seek support from the City Council in creating a process that appropriately engages the larger community. A letter was sent to the City Council that included the following affirmation of the Agassiz Neighborhood Council vote: "There is a strong consensus in the neighborhood council in support of a name change, to be discussed in forums over the coming months with an opportunity to educate neighbors about the relevant issues, with the objective to come up with a recommended name from the neighborhood.” 2 The Neighborhood Council’s meetings were on hiatus for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and re-started in August in virtual format. Community Development Department staff have been in conversation with representatives of the Agassiz Neighborhood Council and neighborhood advocates starting late summer to provide support in framing and executing a community process related to the renaming of the neighborhood.

At their upcoming November and December meetings, the neighborhood group is slated to discuss the process to appropriately involve neighborhood residents in this conversation. The process is likely to include some educational information, resident statements, outreach via the neighborhood’s email newsletter, flyers, and a neighborhood survey. The process is working toward the goal of reaching a decision about the future name of the neighborhood this winter and forwarding a recommendation to the City Council thereafter.