Sunnyvale’s newest park will honor the city’s agricultural legacy.
At its most recent meeting Feb. 4, the Sunnyvale City Council opted to name a new park, located at 1142 Dahlia Court, what everybody has been calling it for decades. From 1965 until 2015, the two-acre parcel played host to the Corn Palace farm stand.
Jesus Raygoza, superintendent of recreation services, said naming new parks follows a hierarchy with four criteria. Those criteria include a name that honors Sunnyvale’s legacy, one that is inline with planning designations, a name that aligns with neighboring schools or has cultural significance.
While many of the suggested names incorporated elements significant to the area’s Ohlone tribes, “Corn Palace” seemed to be an obvious choice for the council. Recommendations from the Historic Society, Heritage Commission and the Human Relations Commission favored “Corn Palace.” The Parks and Recreation Commission also voted unanimously for the name.
Council Member Alysa Cisneros called the park a local “landmark,” saying that regardless of what the council named the park, residents would likely still call it “Corn Palace Park.”
“It is so incongruent with what most parks are named for. I think it will spark that conversation to learn more about that part of Sunnyvale’s history,” she said.
Council Member Richard Mehlinger agreed, saying the name is a “unique and quirky bit of Sunnyvale’s history.” He encouraged city employees to make the park as “corny” as possible.
The park will feature fitness equipment, shaded seating, picnic areas and playgrounds. The council unanimously approved the name. Corn Palace Park is scheduled for completion this summer.
State And Federal Changes Cause Local Tweaks To City Policy
The council also changed how candidates file campaign disclosures.
David Carnahan, Sunnyvale’s city clerk, told the council the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has changed its policy on campaign finance filings, commonly called form 700s. Candidates will now file those documents directly with the FPPC instead of the city clerk.
The documents will still be available on Sunnyvale’s website.
Changes in the federal government’s salary range for the city’s NOVA Workforce director also prompted the council to update the salary range for that position. NOVA Workforce is a federally funded job service administrator, including resources for job seekers and employers.
Because of the Bay Area’s high cost of living, the council previously raised that salary to 20% above the federal cap, said Tina Murphy, director of human resources. The range for the city’s NOVA Workforce director, Marléna Sessions, will now be $205,182 to $270,840.
In 2023, Sessions earned $207,645, according to Transparent California.
The council increasing the salary range does not automatically increase Sessions’s salary, which is merit-based, Murphy said.
The council unanimously passed the NOVA Workforce director salary range and changes to FPPC filings.
Consent Calendar Spending
The council approved the following spending in one motion via the consent calendar:
- A $368,994 contract with Hydroscience Engineers Inc. for water pollution control plant oxidation pond levee rehabilitation.
- A $1.1 million contract with Hydroscience Engineers Inc. for the Mary-Carson Water Plant upgrade.
- A three-year $600,000 purchased agreement with W.W. Grainger, Inc. for industrial and commercial supplies.
The council meets again at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave. in Sunnyvale.
To submit public comments ahead of the meeting, visit http://Sunnyvale.ca.gov/PublicComments; Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/96111580540; meeting call-in telephone number: 833-548-0276, meeting ID: 961 1158 0540.
Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexnader@gmail.com
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