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Leon Panetta, the outgoing secretary of defense, was a longtime congressman representing the Central Coast.

At least one member of the Monterey City Council would like to see the city's conference center named after Monterey native son and Washington, D.C., power player Leon Panetta.

Councilwoman Libby Downey said late Tuesday that she wanted the subject of renaming the Monterey Conference Center after Panetta scheduled for discussion on a future agenda.

Panetta, the outgoing secretary of defense, has been CIA director, budget director, White House chief of staff and a longtime congressman representing the Central Coast during his long career in national politics.

The council didn't comment on Downey's suggestion, other than Mayor Chuck Della Sala asking whether she meant a room in the conference center or the entire complex.

The whole thing, Downey said.

Della Sala wondered if the city has any policies that may prevent naming public buildings after people while they are still alive.

The answer to that question wasn't immediately available, but City Clerk Bonnie Gawf said any policies covering the matter would be provided to the council when it considers whether to move ahead with the suggestion.

The conference center at One Portola Plaza opened in April 1977 as a centerpiece of the city's downtown renewal program. The city is looking at major renovations to the complex to keep it competitive in the conference market.

Larry Parsons can be reached at 646-4379 or