(a) 
The purpose of this policy is to establish and standardize the procedures for the naming or renaming of parks, facilities, structures, resources, or other city properties or features except city streets by any person, group, business, or organization. It will not be necessary that every city-owned property have a name, and properties with existing names should only be renamed in exceptional circumstances.
(b) 
The naming or renaming of any city properties under this policy is intended to convey a government message and thus constitutes government speech. Names play an important role in defining the image the city projects to its residents and visitors alike. The city council will exercise full authority over the ultimate names determined under this policy based on aesthetics, history, and local culture. The city council reserves the right to remove the name or rename any city property.
(Ordinance 23-082 adopted 10/31/2023)
(a) 
The city council shall have the final authority for naming all city properties.
(b) 
In instances where the property to be named or renamed would fall under the purview of an existing city board, commission or committee, it is the responsibility of the city board, commission or committee to review requests and staff recommendations and/or make suggestions and require that staff forward recommendations to the city council regarding the naming of city properties.
(c) 
If no applicable city board, commission or committee exist, recommendations will be considered by city staff as designated by the city manager, or by an ad hoc committee appointed by the city council, as needed, and consisting of one (1) city council member, one (1) staff member, and three (3) citizens at-large. Meetings of an ad hoc committee created under this section shall be subject to all Open Meetings Act requirements. The ad hoc committee will sit only so long as necessary to evaluate the naming suggestion for which it was created and will dissolve once final action has been taken on the suggestion.
(Ordinance 23-082 adopted 10/31/2023)
(a) 
The following guidelines shall be considered when determining proposals for naming or renaming of city property. Criteria beyond those listed below can be considered by the city council for determining the naming of a particular city property. The city council may choose any name that serves the purpose of this article, and a suggested name meeting any or all criteria under Subsection (a)(1) or (2) will not automatically result in that suggested name being selected for a particular property.
(1) 
Guiding principles.
(A) 
Does the proposed name have historical, cultural, or social significance for current and future generations?
(B) 
Does the name engender a positive image in members of the community?
(C) 
Will the name symbolize a major achievement or advancement for the community at-large?
(D) 
Will the name be suitable based on the location of the property being named?
(E) 
Does the proposed name have an unintentional or inappropriate meaning, connotation, or association based on the purpose of this policy?
(2) 
Naming categories.
(A) 
Exceptional individuals.
Proposed names intended to recognize an exceptional community member or leader that has shown themselves to be a dedicated supporter of the community will have the following guiding principles:
(i) 
Made a lasting and significant contribution to the city;
(ii) 
Made a substantial contribution to the betterment of a specific city property;
(iii) 
Had a positive impact on the lives of residents within the city; and/or
(iv) 
Demonstrated service record of volunteerism for many years to the community.
(v) 
The honor must be posthumous.
(B) 
Historic events, places, and persons.
The history of the city and its community are important in continuing and progressing the city's identity, diversity, and culture. Naming city properties to commemorate historic events, places, and persons helps to preserve the history of the community and the impact of those events or individuals had on the progress of the city. Preference will be given to names that honor local people and events over nonlocal names.
(C) 
Major gifts.
A corporation, association, individual, or other legally created entity making a major gift may request that the name of the benefactor be associated with the name of the park, facility, structure, feature, or other property. These requests will be evaluated on an individual basis by the city council with input from city staff and any associated city board, commission, or committee; where applicable. As a guideline, the threshold for naming shall include the following:
(i) 
Deeding to the city the land on which the property will be located;
(ii) 
Payment of one-half or more of the capital costs of constructing the property; or
(iii) 
The creation of a long-term endowment for the maintenance and repair of the property.
(D) 
Purchased naming rights.
The city council may also select to sell the naming rights of a city park, facility, structure, or feature. The city council may issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) process or by other means permitted by applicable law for corporate naming of city property. The entity purchasing the naming rights of a city property will cover all costs for signage, plaques, and/or markers, and all such devices shall be in fundamental compliance with the design and aesthetics of signage already in use by the city for like properties. Naming rights procured in this manner cannot be conveyed. The city council will evaluate naming proposals under this subsection based on their adherence to other guidelines under this Subsection (a)(2), as well as:
(i) 
The reputation of the purchaser;
(ii) 
If the purchaser is a company or corporation, whether the corporation's products/services align with the nature and function of the property to be named; and
(iii) 
The duration and revenues specified for the naming rights.
(E) 
To the extent a city property is financed with tax exempt bonds, the city should consult with its bond counsel prior to finalizing any name under Subsection (a)(2)(C) or (D).
(F) 
Requests made under Subsection (a)(2)(C) or (D) must still satisfy the stated purpose and policy of this article, and if determined by the city council to not be in line with the stated policy, the name along with the associated gift or purchase offer may be refused by the city council if no acceptable alternative can be found.
(b) 
The following shall be avoided:
(1) 
Cumbersome, corrupted or modified names.
(2) 
Profane, discriminatory, or derogatory names relating to age, race, religion, creed, national origin, sex, color, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or other similar categories.
(3) 
Duplicate names or names that in sound or pronunciation are similar to other names currently in the city or extraterritorial jurisdiction.
(4) 
Names of appointed or elected officials currently in office.
(Ordinance 23-082 adopted 10/31/2023)
(a) 
A person, group, association, business, corporation, or other legally created entity may suggest a name for city property by submitting a letter to the city clerk's office. Letters should include:
(1) 
The proposed name;
(2) 
A short explanation of why the property should be named or renamed; and
(3) 
A description of the proposed namesake's contributions to the community or other justification for naming a park, facility, structure, or feature that name.
(b) 
City council, at its next regular meeting, will decide if an ad hoc committee is necessary or if the request would fall under the purview of an existing city board, commission, or committee. If it is determined that an ad hoc committee will be necessary, council shall create the committee and appoint members as required under Section 14.07.002(c).
(c) 
The city manager shall direct the letter to the appropriate city department for review by staff. Staff shall evaluate:
(1) 
The requestor's proposal in consideration of the stated policy and purpose of this section;
(2) 
The impact on public safety; and
(3) 
The financial impact for changing signs, plaques, and markers.
(d) 
Upon completion of staff review, staff shall refer the naming suggestion and its recommendation to the appropriate city board, commission or committee, where applicable, the ad hoc committee created for the naming request, if so created, or to the city council. Naming requests forwarded to a board, commission, or committee or an ad hoc committee shall be referred to the city council with the board, commission or committee's recommendation regarding the suggestion within thirty (30) days of the date it was referred to the board, commission, or committee.
(e) 
City council adoption:
(1) 
For renaming.
The city shall publish notice of the prospective change in a paper of general circulation, shall send notification letters to impacted properties as required by city ordinance and state statute, and shall hold public hearing on the proposed name change. Following the public hearing, the city council may adopt a resolution officially renaming a park, facility, structure, or feature.
(2) 
For new parks, facilities, structures, or features.
The city council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed name. Following the public hearing, the city council may adopt a resolution officially naming the park, facility, structure, or feature.
(f) 
Requests to name individual features with a value of less than $5,000.00 shall be referred to the appropriate city staff and shall not require the approval of the city council.
(g) 
Staff shall designate minimum thresholds as part of any capital campaigns related to the construction of new parks, facilities, structures, or features. At the beginning of the campaign, staff shall establish the duration and terms for which the naming rights shall apply.
(h) 
Individuals or groups who wish to donate a feature and name the feature in honor of an individual or group will have their request evaluated by staff on the following criteria/requirements:
(1) 
Established need for the feature;
(2) 
The requestor shall pay the full cost to erect or construct the feature;
(3) 
The requestor shall fund all ongoing maintenance costs of the feature, as well as the cost of replacement if the feature is damaged or destroyed; and
(4) 
The name chosen, as well as the reputation of the name or group, must abide by all the requirements of this section, as applicable.
(i) 
This section does not apply to naming requests falling under Section 14.07.003(a)(2)(D).
(Ordinance 23-082 adopted 10/31/2023)