Loading...
Res 32-14 RESOLUTION NO. 32-14 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, RECOGNIZING REVEREND J.W.H. THOMAS;JR. BY NAMING THE SW 9TH AVENUE AND SW 1st STREET POCKET PARK IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, THE "REVEREND J.W.H. THOMAS,JR. PARK;PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE . WHEREAS, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) currently owns the property located at SW 9th Avenue and SW 1"Street;and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach adopted a policy regarding the naming of public facilities on December 12, 2014. WHEREAS, pursuant to this policy, the City Facility Naming Committee recommended that the pocket park that will be constructed at SW 9"' Avenue and SW 1't Street be named after Reverend J.W.H Thomas,Jr. after receiving a letter outlining his significant contributions to the Community as an educator, a Man of Faith, a community servant, and a military hero. WHEREAS, the CRA Board agreed to support the recommended honorary naive for this park at its board meeting held on May 22,2014. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA,AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the above recitals are incorporated as if fully set forth herein. Section 2. That the City Commission shall honor Reverend J.W.H. Thomas Jr. by naming the SW 9th Avenue and SW 1"Street Pocket Park in Delray Beach, Florida, the"Reverend J.W.H. Thomms,Jr. Park'. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on this the 1st day of July 2014. ATTEST: MAYOR City Clerk Coversheet Page 1 of 2 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Commissioners FROM: Community Improvement THROUGH: Terry Stewart, Interim City Manager DATE: June 17, 2014 SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM S.C.-REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 1.2014 RESOLUTION NO.32-141 NAMING OF PUBLIC FACILITY REVEREND J.'W.II.THOMAS, JR.PARK BACKGROUND The Commission adopted a policy on the naming of public facilities at the regular meeting of December 4, 2012. The policy established procedures to govern the honorary naming of public facilities, adding meaning and significance to minimize conflict and provides a forum for meaningful discussion regarding naming. The formal letter of recommendation to name the Pocket Park that will be constructed at SW 9th Avenue and SW l at Street in honor of Reverend J.W.H. Thomas, Jr. was submitted to the City in April, 2014 by Reverend Dr. Howard B. Barr, Jr., Pastor of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. The construction of the park is scheduled to begin within the next couple of months. The property is currently owned and planned improvements funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The park will be deeded over to the City when completed. The CRA Board agreed, at its regular meeting on May 22, 2014, to support the City moving forward with the naming of this public facility and acknowledged their support of the recommended honorary name. Pursuant to the policy, the Facility Naming Committee was formed and the participants were: 1) Jeff Costello, Assistant Director, CRA 2) Suzanne Davis, Director, Parks &Recreation 3) Patricia Wright, Community at Large 4) Zack Straghn,the Elders Group http:l/itwebapp/Agendalntranct/Bluesheet.aspx?ItemID-8070&MeetingID=508 7/2/2014 Coversheet Page 2 of 2 5) Josh Smith,the Elders Group 6) Rev. Dr. Howard Barr, Jr, Pastor, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church 7) Lawrence Strainge, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church 8) Lula Butler, Director, Community Improvement Reverend Barr presented a compelling list of credentials, services to this community, character and reputation of Reverend J.W.H. Thomas, Jr., to the committee. Each participant commented on their working knowledge and association with his work. The committee was unanimous in their recommendation to the Commission to name the SW 9th Avenue and SW 1St Street Pocket Park, the Reverend J.W.H. Thomas, Jr. Park. DISCUSSION Consideration by the Commission to approve Resolution No. 32-14 naming the SW 9th Avenue and SW 1st Street Pocket Park, the Reverend J.W.H. Thomas, Jr. Park. OPERATING COST There are no operating costs associated with this request. TIMING OF THE REQUEST This item is not time sensitive. RECOMMENDATION The Facility Naming Committee is recommending approval to name the SW 91h Avenue and SW 1st Street Pocket Park,the Reverend J.W.H. Thomas,Jr. Park. http://itwebapp/Agendalntranet/Bluesheet.aspx?ItemlD=8070&McetingID=508 7/2/2014 i Saint (Paid Tissionaq (Baptist Chu.rcfr �ad 46 Southwest I O'h Avenue �•A�"` Delray Beach, Florida 33444 Office: 561-278-7 149* Fax:561-278-7171 N 1" 1Dr. MowarcfB. Barr, ,fir., Senior(Pastor Deacon Samuel Strange act, - - Chairman of Deacons Deacon Ardis Johnson Chairman of Trustees Sister Lorious Straine e Church Clerk Deacon Leroy Harrison Church Treasurer SisterAmanda Wallace Financial Chair Monday, April 21,2014 The Honorable Cary Ghckstein&City Commissioners City Hall 100 N.W. lst Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33444 Reverend Dr. Howard B. Barr, Jr. St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church 46. S.W. 10"Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444 RE.- Policy On Naming of Public Facilities (Unnamed Park on S.W. 9"Ave. and S.W. I"Street) Dear Mayor Glickstein&City Commissioners, My name is Dr. Howard B. Barr,Jr. I serve in the capacity of Senior Pastor for St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Delray Beach, FL. First of all, l commend you for your service to the residents of Delray Beach,FL. I am also grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with each of you particularly during the Palm Beach County municipal elections. As a servant leader and community advocate,I would like to express my interest in continuing the collaborative partnership we have initiated. With this idea. in mind,I enlist your support in the recommendation and designation of the current construction site identified as Avenue Parking Lot&Pocket Park located in Delray Beach on S.W. 9th Ave. and S.W. 1 st Street as a public facility honoring Reverend J.W.H. Thomas,Jr. Per our meeting held on Wednesday, March 25,2014, and in response to the successive email pertaining to the matter of Policy On Naming of Public Facilities, I write this letter to elaborate on the achievements and accomplishments of Reverend J.W.H. Thomas,Jr. As an Educator, "Reverend Thomas"as he was affectionately referred to by the congregation and community-at-large, earned dual undergraduate Bachelor's degrees from Bethune-Cookman College in coursework areas of social studies and elementary education. "Reverend Thomas" furthered his education through graduate study(ies)coursework at the following institutions of higher teaming Florida A&M,Florida State.Marquette,and Hampton Universities respectively. Saint Taut Wissionary Baptist C'hr!. Ji fA 46 Southwest 10th Avenue �> Delray Beach,Florida 33444 4ce: 561-278-7149 Fax: 561-278-7171 �, F Dr ZowanfB. Barr, Jr, Senior(Pastor Deacon Samuel Strainge _ _--- Chairman of Deacons , �-- -- Deacon Ards Johnson Chairman of Trustees Sister Curious Strainge Church Clerk Deacon Leroy Harrison Church Treasurer sister,41nand4 rVallace Financial Chair "Reverend Thomas" used the knowledge and training he obtained to motivate and educate children as a thirty-year educator with the Florida Public School System until his retirement in 1981. As a Man of Faith,Reverend Thomas' years of service to the pastoral ministry began in 1955 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach,FL. Following his relocation to(the city of) Delray Beach in 1959, "Reverend Thomas" received frequent invitations to speak for various church engagements hosted by St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. He was eventually selected to pastor St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Following his 46-year pastoral tenure, Reverend Thomas retired in 2007, but he continued to serve the congregation of his beloved St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in the capacity of Pastor Emeritus. As a Community Servant, "Reverend Thomas" revealed his character by seizing every moment to show love to his fellowman. He was steadfast in his conviction to serve in numerous ways including standing on the frontline to speak for community issues and serving in countless organizations to improve living conditions for citizens of the community. "Reverend Thomas" was also known as the "tri-city area community pastor". He earned a reputation for living random acts of kindness. The community he lived in, loved, served and actively committed himself to through ministry and community affiliated efforts remembered his civic engagement activities. The citizens honored him by spearheading efforts to ensure that his name was attributed to the Delray Beach Housing Authority Building(Carver Estates Development). As an American Hero, "Reverend Thomas" encouraged those around him during his military service by remaining upbeat and maintaining a calm demeanor. While serving in the United States Army some of the U.S. Troops were afraid they would never return. Reverend Thomas' philosophy was simple, "...Whether north, south, east,or west--every territory belonged to God, he knew he was in good hands." In closing, I am seeking your support in the following endeavor, recommendation and designation of Reverend J.W.H. Thomas,Jr. as the honoree for the aforementioned construction site project in the vicinity of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. I believe Reverend J.W.H. Thomas, Jr., is worthy of such an honor based upon our meeting related to this issue.previous discussion(s).and established criteria specified in the successive email. Again, I thank you for your consideration and await your timely response. Sincerely, /r Reverend Dr. Howard B. Barr, r. .