The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
"Public place"
means any building, facility, municipal or park lands, owned by or under the control of the municipality, including interior and component spaces integral to the whole, and excluding Anchorage School District buildings and facilities.
"Traditional indigenous place"
name means the Dena'ina Athabascan name or other Alaska Native name for a place generally accepted amongst the members of the Native Village of Eklutna or the culturally appropriate Tribe or village.
(AO No. 2023-48(S), § 2, 9-12-2023)
A. 
The municipality hereby establishes a policy and set of procedures to govern the naming and renaming of a public place, including renaming of streets and roads.
B. 
The selection of a name that is purposeful, suitable, and symbolic should be approached in a systematic, fair, and consistent way. This process can generate opportunities to build community identity and awareness, create a lasting public dialogue, express appreciation, and be reflective of the municipality's vision for itself.
C. 
When considering the naming or renaming of a public place, the preferred practice shall be to impart public property with a sense of historical, cultural, or geographical significance considering location, function, the traditional Indigenous place name, or natural features. Considerations in the selection of a name shall include:
1. 
The existing name of any public place, including a traditional Dena'ina or other Indigenous place name. Continuity of name and common usage are presumed to increase a sense of neighborhood.
2. 
Influences from adopted plans or a municipally sponsored process (such as one percent for art at the same location, the Municipality Annual Plan, or mission/vision, Title 21 subdivision platting, etc.), or an established vision for the municipality or an area of the municipality in which the public place or real property exists.
3. 
Natural features of the area, including but not limited to geographical, geological, and anthropological features.
4. 
Events, both contemporary and historic.
5. 
Cultural significance to a group or groups of people.
6. 
Positive impact of an individual or group on the local community and the history of the municipality in an ongoing and transformative way. When considering a person or persons, the commission shall:
a. 
Identify the person or persons' connection to the municipality if considering an outstanding local, state, national or international civic leader(s).
b. 
Consider the historical significance of the person and or connection with the municipality.
c. 
Limit honorary naming to a single use of an individual's name.
d. 
Honor individuals through naming of internal areas and features integral to public spaces as opposed to naming a public building, facility, or park for a person.
e. 
Limit posthumous naming in honor of a person or persons to no earlier than 36 months posthumously.
(AO No. 2023-48(S), § 2, 9-12-2023)
A. 
Purpose. There is established a public naming commission to implement the standards for public naming.
B. 
Composition and terms of members.
1. 
The commission shall consist of nine voting members,
2. 
Each member shall be appointed pursuant to chapter 4.05.
3. 
Unless otherwise provided in this section, the commission shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 4.05.
C. 
Qualifications. To the extent available in the municipality, the commission members shall include:
1. 
A member with a background in history, anthropology, or archaeology.
2. 
An Alaska Native culture advisor with knowledge of local Indigenous history and culture.
3. 
A person recommended by the Native Village of Eklutna.
4. 
A member with expertise in historic preservation.
5. 
A member with experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
6. 
Four community at large members residing in different areas and neighborhoods in the municipality.
D. 
Powers and duties of the commission. Duties of the public naming commission shall include:
1. 
Responsibility for implementing the naming policy of the municipality through review of all requests and actions for compliance with this policy and honorary naming criteria under this chapter.
2. 
Review of proposed names and public places, including holding public hearings, and identifying additional potential names or public places as appropriate to the request. The panel will assess all requests once a year as part of the annual naming plan.
3. 
Identifying public places or real property of significance that have not yet been named.
4. 
Collaborating with the department of public works to recommend names for facilities in development.
5. 
Meeting at least once annually for the sole purpose of naming implementation goals and strategy, and monthly as needed for the purpose of regular commission business. The panel will assess all requests once a year as part of the annual naming plan.
6. 
Preparing an annual naming plan and submitting to the assembly by August 31 of each year, which shall include:
a. 
Activities of the prior year.
b. 
The commission's statement of vision for naming of public places.
c. 
A list of public places proposed for consideration of naming or renaming in the coming year.
d. 
A summary of naming requests from the public from the prior year and proposed disposition of those requests, including how the proposed names meet the requirements in section 1.80.020.
E. 
Current naming panels. Naming panels selected prior to the effective date of this code shall continue until the naming is completed.
1. 
The new chapter 1.80 enacted by Section 2 of this ordinance [AO No. 2023-48(S)] shall apply to any new naming project initiated per AMC section 1.80.040A. after the effective date of this ordinance. Naming of public place projects initiated by memorandum of the mayor or resolution of the assembly prior to the effective date of this ordinance [September 12, 2023] shall follow the procedures of chapter 3.97 being repealed by this ordinance until their conclusion or final action.
(AO No. 2023-48(S), § 2, 9-12-2023)
A. 
Initiation. A naming project may be initiated by:
1. 
Referral to the commission from the mayor or the assembly identifying the proposed public place.
2. 
Submittal of a request by application from the public or by a resolution of a community council.
3. 
Recommendation from the public naming commission in accordance with public input and the approved annual plan.
B. 
Public process and review. Public process shall include:
1. 
Interested persons, including family members of a deceased person, may request to appear and speak before the commission.
2. 
The commission shall hold at least one public hearing to present the proposed naming recommendation and receive public comment. Notice of the public hearing pursuant to chapter 1.25 shall be published at least 21 days prior, and also be given to the community council where the public place(s) under consideration is located. The commission shall accept written comments at least until its public hearing is closed and may elect to receive written comments for additional time and provide notice if it does.
3. 
For a public place under the jurisdiction of a parks and recreation board or commission, including the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service Area Commission, the Girdwood Valley Service Area Board of Supervisors, and the Eagle River-Chugiak Park and Recreational Service Area Board of Supervisors, the commission shall request an advisory opinion from the board or the commission.
C. 
Recommendation and approval.
1. 
The commission shall prepare a memorandum advising the mayor and the assembly and outlining relevant information regarding the commission's recommendation.
a. 
The commission's memorandum shall include reference to the policy in section 1.08.020 and how the commission considered those factors in its recommendation.
b. 
Every effort shall be made to adhere to the naming policy established in section 1.08.020. All recommendations involving departure from section 1.08.020 must include a detailed rationale for the departure.
c. 
The commission's memorandum shall be attached to an assembly memorandum for consideration by the assembly.
d. 
If a majority of the commission members are unable to agree, a divided recommendation of the commission may be submitted for assembly consideration.
2. 
The assembly shall decide the name or renaming of a public place by approval of the commission's memorandum, with or without amendment, after a public hearing held at least 27 days after introduction to ensure appropriate information dissemination to the public prior to final action by the assembly.
(AO No. 2023-48(S), § 2, 9-12-2023)
A. 
Renaming shall not apply to historic names of designated landmarks listed on a local, state or on the National Register of Historic Places, unless supported by the landmark owner or the local historic preservation entity for the municipality, state or federal government.
B. 
Initial naming of streets and roads is governed by Title 21. Renaming of streets and roads is subject to the requirements of section 21.03.185, as well as public safety considerations.
C. 
This chapter shall not apply to the naming or renaming of a public space that was donated to the municipality contingent upon assignment of a specific name or to any facility constructed or purchased from money or property donated to the municipality for the specific purpose of securing a name for the facility.
(AO No. 2023-48(S), § 2, 9-12-2023)