12.12.030 - Naming regulations.
A. Guidelines for Naming or Renaming.
1. A park or facility shall be formally named prior to final design and award of any construction contracts.
2. Participation from affected neighborhoods shall be encouraged during the process of naming or renaming a park or facility.
3. Although strongly discouraged, renaming a park or facility may only be considered if the existing name does not have geographical, historical or other relevant importance.
4. Names for parks and recreational facilities should be based on the following criteria:
a. Orientation to the neighborhood and/or community in which the facility is to be located.
b. Function and general use of the facility and/or its location.
c. Recognition of individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions toward improving the quality of life in the City.
5. No park or recreational facility shall be named after an individual currently holding an elected municipal office.
B. Guidelines for Naming After Natural Persons.
1. It is the policy of the City to name parks and recreational facilities after natural persons who meet the following criteria:
a. Deceased for two years;
b. Nominated pursuant to Section C; and
c. Made significant contributions toward improving the quality of life in the City.
2. Exceptions.
a. Notwithstanding Section B(1) above, the City may name a park or facility after a living person who meets the following criteria:
i. Nominated pursuant to Section C;
ii. Affirmed by a super majority vote of all members of City Council entitled to vote; and
ii. Made significant contributions toward improving the quality of life in the City.
b. Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, the City may, in its sole discretion, name a park or recreation facility after a person who donates parkland.
C. Procedures for Naming.
1. To name a park or facility, the City shall provide public notice of intent to solicit names for a park or facility from organizations or individuals by means of a neighborhood meeting(s) or other advertisement (i.e., newspaper, flyers, posted announcements).
2. If no nominations are received, then parks and recreation staff shall initiate naming recommendations.
3. Parks and recreation staff shall review nominations in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Section A, and compare the nominations with existing park and facility names to avoid duplication, confusing similarity, or inappropriateness.
4. Parks and recreation staff shall forward all eligible nominations to the parks and recreation advisory board for review on their next available agenda.
5. The parks and recreation advisory board shall research, review and evaluate the supporting documentation for all eligible nominations, and forward its recommendation to the City Council for review and final determination. If more than one name is recommended, they shall be listed in order of preference.
D. Procedures for Renaming.
1. To rename a park or facility, individuals or organizations shall submit a written nomination for a park or facility name to the parks and recreation advisory board. The nomination shall include:
a. Reasons for the proposed name.
b. Evidence of community support for the proposed name.
c. If a petition is submitted, it must state the intent of the petition and contain printed names, signatures, addresses, zip codes and telephone numbers of each petitioner to establish proof of residency.
2. Parks and recreation staff shall review a nomination to rename a park or facility in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Section A, and compare the nomination with existing park and facility names to avoid duplication, confusing similarity, or inappropriateness.
3. Parks and recreation staff shall forward the nomination to the parks and recreation advisory board for review on their next available agenda.
4. The parks and recreation advisory board shall research, review and evaluate the supporting documentation for all nomination to rename and park or facility, and forward its recommendation to the City Council for review and final determination.
E. Other Naming Alternatives.
1. Public parks and facilities that are donated to the City can be named by deed restriction by the donor. The naming and acceptance of land is subject to the guidelines set forth in Section A and approval by the City Council.
2. A facility within a park, such as a playground or picnic shelter, can be named separately from the park or facility location subject to Section A of this policy.
E. Rescinding the Name of a Park or Recreational Facility Named After an Individual or Organization.
1. Rescinding the name of a park or recreational facility named after an individual or organization shall occur only under extraordinary circumstances and after thorough study by the City.
2. Sufficient cause to rescind the name of a park or recreational facility or portion thereof exists when, as determined by the City Council, the individual or organization for which the park or portion thereof is named has been convicted of a felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or participated in any other disreputable behavior which would have a negative reflection on the community.
3. If the City Council rescinds a name that has been assigned to a park or recreational facility, the City shall initiate the naming process without delay in accordance with Section C above.
(Ord. No. 2550, § 1, 7-7-2010)
