Councilman Dee Andrews withdrew his recommendation to rename a local library at last night’s city council meeting due to confusion regarding the library’s namesake. The Burnett Neighborhood Library was originally thought to be named after Peter H. Burnett, California’s first governor known for his racist policies. However, it was discovered that the library actually honors railroad tycoon Thomas Burr Burnett.

The scramble to wipe Burnett’s name from Long Beach landmarks began with Long Beach Unified School District’s decision last week to rename Burnett Elementary School as Bobbie Smith Elementary. Smith was the first African-American to serve on the school board in Long Beach. The Burnett Neighborhood Library also would have borne her name had the change been approved.

Tonya Martin, legislative analyst for Andrews’ office, said that city policy requires a person to be be deceased for at least a year before a public space can bear his or her name. This policy does not extend to schools, however, according to LBUSD spokesman Chris Eftychiou.

“Our school district has its own policy regarding school names, and our policy allows for naming schools after living or deceased people,” he said.