City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council consider the adoption of a Resolution approving
and adopting a City Council Policy Statement entitled, “Naming of City Facilities.”
BACKGROUND:
Currently, the City of Culver City does not have “official” policies or procedures for
the naming or renaming of City facilities such as buildings, support facilities, park
sites and recreation facilities (“City Facilities”). At the September 13, 2004 meeting
of the City Council, during the discussion of incorporating former Park and
Recreation Commissioner Richard Alexander’s name with the “Culver West Park”
name, the fact that the City does not have a formal policy for naming or renaming
City Facilities was raised by Council. City Council directed staff to come back with
such a policy for Council’s consideration. Attachment 1 provides the minutes of that
meeting.
DISCUSSION:
In preparing this report, naming policies from other cities were reviewed. A table of
these cities and the focus of their naming policies is attached (Attachment 2). In
addition, the report, “Criteria for Naming of Public Parks and Facilities” (Anonymous
Author), posted on the California Parks and Recreation Society website
(www.cprs.org) was also used as a reference. This report (Attachment 3) analyzes
the park and facilities naming policies of twenty-five cities across the United States.
The report is based primarily on the naming policies of Parks and Recreation
Departments; however, findings regarding the types of factors to be considered
when developing a naming policy may also be applied in a broader manner. It was
Meeting Date: 12/11/06 Item Number: A-1
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Approving and Adopting a City Council
Policy Statement Entitled “Naming of City Facilities.”
Contact Person/Dept.: Bill La Pointe,
PRCS Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-6668
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Master Notification List on 12/06/06
Department Approval: Bill La Pointe,
PRCS Director (11/30/06)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (12/07/2006)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (12/07/2006)City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
found that the policies and procedures most often followed by municipalities are
those where: (1) the responsibility for reviewing naming recommendations falls to a
formally designated advisory board, committee or commission; (2) a naming request
is submitted to the appropriate body through an application process; (3) the naming
is based on a predetermined set of criteria or conditions; and (4) final
recommendations are brought before the City Council for official approval.
Most cities utilize the following general categories when naming parks and facilities:
(1) names of places and features (including adjacent streets, schools and natural
features of the area); (2) names with historical references; (3) descriptive names; (4)
names of corporations or organizations; and (5) names of individuals.
Naming Criteria
In looking at the above general categories of naming options, items 1 through 3 are
fairly straightforward for the purpose of developing a formal policy; however, items 4
and 5 generally need more clarification. For example, if a specific and major
contribution to the acquisition and/or development of a site is made by an
organization or individual, the site might then be named after that group or person.
Some cities choose to quantify “specific and major contribution” in such terms as,
“when 50% or more of the cost of development is donated by the person or
organization.”
One of the elements of naming policies that draws more debate is whether or not it
is appropriate to name a facility after a living individual. Many cities in the above
cited study have policies stating that only the name of a deceased individual can be
considered when naming a park or facility. Some cities specify the period of time
that must pass before a site can be named posthumously (e.g., one year, two years,
etc.).
In creating a naming policy, the issue of “renaming” must also be addressed. A
consensus of the cities in this study indicates that renaming an officially named site
is “strongly discouraged.” Therefore, unless the naming policy specifically states
renaming is not an option, it is important to delineate the terms under which
renaming might be considered.
Plaques, Markers, and Memorials
Council may want to consider incorporating guidelines for plaques, markers and
memorials into the naming policy. In terms of design and visual impact, it is
generally accepted that new signage should be consistent with existing signage. A
responsible party for the final approval of plaques, markers and memorials should be City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
designated. In some cities, the same body that makes naming recommendations is
also responsible for the final approval of related signage. However, in other cities,
this responsibility falls to the associated department head. Finally, a plan for the
cost of maintenance of such signage can either be incorporated into the naming
policy, or included as part of the overall budget for the maintenance of City Facilities.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with developing and adopting a City Facility
naming policy. However, the implementation of the policy may have a fiscal impact
due to the potential cost of plaques, markers and memorials and the maintenance of
same.
Should the City Council adopt this policy, staff estimates the cost of these types of
amenities would range from $300 to $1,000. The funding source will be the General
Fund.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Excerpt of the Minutes of the September 13, 2004 City Council Meeting
2. Table of City Facility Naming Policies Reviewed for this Report
3. A copy of the report, “Criteria for Naming of Public Parks and Facilities,”
(Anonymous Author) as posted on the California Parks and Recreation Society
website (www.cprs.org)
4. Proposed Resolution Number 2006-R____, including a proposed City Council
Policy Statement entitled “Naming of City Facilities”
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution Number 2006-R______, approving and adopting a City
Council Policy Statement entitled “Naming City Facilities.”
or
2. Discuss the item and provide further direction to staff.
MEETING DATE: 12/11/06
AGENDA ITEM:
Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Approving a
Policy for the Naming of City Facilities.
ATTACHMENTS
Page
1. Excerpt of the Minutes of the September 13, 2004
1
City Council Meeting
2. Table of City Facility Naming Policies Reviewed for
2
this Report
3. A copy of the report, "Criteria for Naming of Public
3-6
Parks and Facilities "(Anonymous Author), as posted
on the California Parks and Recreation Society
website (www.cprs.oro).
4. Proposed Resolution Number 2006-R 7-10
including Proposed City Council Policy Statement
No. "x" entitled "Naming of City Facilities"Attachment
EXCERPT OF THE MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA
MAYOR STEVEN J. ROSE, PRESIDING
September 13, 2004
5:50 P.M.
The following Action Items were discussed and voted on
separately:
Item H.1
Consideration of Renaming a City Location in Memory of
Former Mayor and Long-time Councilmember Richard Alexander.
Don Rogers, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community
Services, gave the staff report.
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Julie Lugo Cerra, representing the Alexander Family
Scott Malsin
Jeff Cooper
Anita Shapiro
Christopher Armenta, City Clerk, read written comments
submitted by:
Charles A Deen
Discussion ensued regarding how to incorporate Richard
Alexander's name with the "Culver West Park" name.
Following discussion, the following motion was made:
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER VERA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
GROSS AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECT
THAT RICHARD ALEXANDER'S NAME BE INCLUDED WITH THE "CULVER
WEST PARK" NAME; AND DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH THE
ALEXANDER FAMILY, THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND
THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO COME BACK TO THE CITY
COUNCIL WITH A NAME FOR CONSIDERATION.
Mayor Rose requested support to direct staff to come back
with a policy regarding naming buildings, parks and rooms.
The City Council concurred with the request.
1.Attachment 2
City Facility Naming Policies Reviewed for this Report
CITY NAMING POLICY FOCUS
California Cities
Burlingame
Concord City Facilities
El Grove
-
Park/Recreation Facilities
Lodi Parks, Recreation Facilities and Parks Features
Mountain View City Parks and Other City Facilities
Newport Beach City Parks and Facilities
Oceanside Park and/or Recreation Facilities
Sanger City Facilities
San Ramon Facility and Park
Selma City Parks and Facilities
West Hollywood City Owned or Leased Land, Buildings or Facilities
Other Cities
Casa Grande, Arizona City-Owned Facilities
Phoenix, Arizona City Facility
Scottsdale, Arizona Parks and Park Facilities and Amenities
Boulder, Colorado Parks and Recreation Facilities
Chicago, Illinois Parks and Park Features
Indianapolis, Indiana Public Parks and Recreation Facilities
Shelby, North Carolina Parks and Recreation Facilities
Arlington, Texas Parks and Recreation Facilities
Wenatachee, Washington Donations, Devises or Bequests
Ottawa, Canada Commemorative (streets/parks/facilities)Attachment 3
Criteria for Naming of Public Parks and Facilities
Anonymous Author
A report posted on the California Parks and Recreation Society website
(www. c p rs.o re).
Thanks to the person that collated the info and put These cities responded to this request.
it on the NRPAnet four years ago.
• Germantown, TN
•
?
Craig, CO
• • Longmont, CO
? Salisbury, NC
m
?
LaGrange, IL
• • Overland Park, KS
• • Springfield, OH
•
• Savage, MN
• • Fenton, MO
•• Allegan, MI
•
• Quincy, IL
• Lawrence, KS
• •
West Monroe, LA
• X
Spokane, Wa
• • Fort Worth, TX
• • Tucson, AZ
• • Dunedin City, FL
• • Miami-Dade County, FL
• • City/Borough of Juneau, AK
• • Greenfield, WI
M
• Jacksonville, AR
• • Akron, OH
• • Kentwood, MI
•
.
Unalaska, AK
• • Manhattan, KS
Overall Consensus:
I found that the general mechanism for naming parks and facilities is that an
advisory board receives requests for naming parks and facilities, reviews them,
and makes recommendations to their respective governing body for official
approval. Seems logical and simple enough. The difficulty is the initial
establishment of the criteria acceptable for each particular municipality. I hope
this will help anyone seeking to establish or refine a naming policy for your
organization.
In this report, I broke down the various city policies into categories. Some of the
categories were similar so they are inclusive. Listed below are each category
consensus and bulleted excerpts from the various policies.
I. Authority for Naming Parks & Facilities: Consensus — Most municipalities
have some type of advisoly board, which collects, analyzes, and recommends names for
parks and facilities to their governing body for official approval.
• Park Board shall have power to ... and may designate them by name.
• Parks and Community Services Advisory Board submits name recommendation to
the City Council
• The Board recommends names to the City Commission.
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee submits it's recommendations to the City
and Borough Assembly.• A name must receive a majority vote of the City Commission. The name is submitted
by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
• Public Relations Advisory Committee submits recommendations to the City
Commission.
• The Citizens' Advisory Council on Parks Recreation submits through the
Community Development Committee to the City Council for approval.
• Parks and Community Services Advisory Board submits recommendations to the
City Council for approval.
• The Parks and Recreation Board submits recommendations to the Common Council.
• Our Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is instructed by City Code to name parks.
The following are general classifications used by almost all the various cities
that responded:
• Places and features - streets, schools, natural features
? Historic sites
Descriptive names
• Living people
? Organizations
• Deceased people
Living people or organization: Consensus: Though most municipalities name
parks and facilities after people and the mechanisms for qualifying varied, all required
that the person or organization have made a major contribution to the community in
either deed or monetary contribution.
• When 50 percent or more of the value of the property is donated by the person or
organization.
• A significant monetary contribution toward acquisition or development of a public
facility.
• When 50 percent or more of the cost of development is donated by the person or
organization.
• Specific and major involvement in the acquisition or development of a public
facility.
• When a major contribution has been made by the person or organization to the
enhancement of the quality of life in the community and/or was instrumental in acquiring
or developing property or city owned facilities.
• Outstanding accomplishments by an individual for the good of the community.
Quality of the contribution should be considered along with the length of service by the
individual - this to be fully substantiated by person making recommendation.
• The nominee must have accomplished major contributions to the betterment of the
community.
• We don't often name after people, but have on occasion recognized family names if a
large donation was involved as part of the project.
• No park shall be named to memorialize a living person.
• Due to a problem our City had, I don't believe we will ever name another
facility/park after a person (at least not living).
4.IV. Deceased People: Consensus — Several municipalities were very adamant
about insisting that to name a park or facility after a person, that the person must be
deceased. Some of the others it did not matter, as long as the contribution was
significant Note the last bullet in this category. Though not her/his official policy, the
director really had a horrific experience by naming parks after a living person.
• Guidelines of living people or organization shall apply.
• Naming a city owned facility in mernory of a deceased person cannot be considered
until at least 12 months after the date of the death of that person.
• Generally, a facility will not be named after a person until after their death.
• We try not to name parks after people, however we do have one named after a
deceased citizen instrumental in starting the first police and fire departments.
? We name pavilions after deceased mayors and citizens.
• The recommended name must be received posthumously.
• We have an unwritten policy that a park will not be named after any person unless
that person made the monetary contribution to develop or donate the property. This takes
it out of politics.
Possibly after a noteworthy local person (deceased).
Recommended name must be received posthumously to be considered.
A park and/or facility may be named to honor a deceased person, but only to
recognize a most extraordinary service/gift.
• No more than 15% of the total parks may be named for individuals.
• Because of bad experiences, we now have an unwritten policy to name parks and
facilities after locations or features of the locations. Example: Johnson Lake Park.
• Due to a problem our City had, I don't believe we will ever name another
facility/park after a person (at least not living).
V. Renaming of a Park or Facility: Consensus - The majority of the
municipalities strongly discouraged renaming of parks and facilities. The primary
reason was to not diminish the original justification for the name or discount the value
of the prior contributors.
• In order to respect the historical tradition and community values, which previous
generations bestowed on these resources, no officially named park or facility shall be
renamed.
• The renaming of parks and facilities is strongly discouraged.
• Only those parks and facilities named for geographic location, outstanding feature or
subdivision can be considered for renaming. Parks named by deed restriction cannot be
considered for renaming.
• Long-established names of landmarks will not be changed, though portions of them
may be named in honor of groups or citizens if the recommendations meet prior criteria.
• Existing parks and facilities could be renamed.
• The intent of naming is for permanent recognition. It is recommended that efforts to
change a name be subject to the most critical examination so as to not diminish the
original justification for the name or discount the value of the prior contributors.
5.• A park named for an individual should never be changed unless it is found that the
individual's personal character is or was such that the continued use of their name for a
park would not be in the best interest of the community.
• Parks named for subjects, other than individuals, may be changed in name only if the
current name is ineffectual or inappropriate.
VI. Plaques, Markers, Memorials: Consensus — Not much was mentioned about
plaques, markers, and memorials. Through attending numerous conferences and
workshops over the years as well as from what I found in these policies, I've found that
this topic is usually a headache for the park departments, but there is a lack of sound
policy to manage it.
• Designed to blend with and compliment the existing Parks and Recreation
Department Sign policy, and Plaques, Markers, and Memorials Policy, and must be
reviewed and approved by the Director of Parks and Recreation.
• A written maintenance agreement for each plaque/marker/memorial shall be
developed and signed by the Director of Parks and Recreation and donor
individual/organization.
• All named areas and important park features shall be identified by the installation of
appropriate plaques, signs, or markers, as determined by the Board.
VII. Procedures for naming public parks and facilities:
Consensus — Though
there were variations of small degree, the majority have a general application process
which is submitted to an advisory board, which reviews and makes recommendations to
the governing body.
• The Director of Parks & Recreation with budgetary responsibility for a park and/or
facility shall forward naming recommendations to the chairperson of the Parks and/or
Facility Naming Review Committee.
•
Individuals, group and/or organization must request the naming of the park or facility
on an application provided by the city.
• The City will assign the request to the appropriate Board or Advisory Committee for
a recommendation on the request.
• The Board or Advisory Committee will conduct a public meeting on the request and
allow 30 days following the public meeting for public comment.
• The Board or Advisory Committee will recommend to the City Council action on the
request following the 30 days for public comment.
• A majority vote by the Board or Advisory Committee is required for
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Attachment 4
RESOLUTION NO. 2006-R
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING
CITY COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT NO. ENTITLED "NAMING OF CITY FACILITIES."
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Culver City has determined that
there exists a potential for naming opportunities for many of the City's buildings, parks and
other facilities ("City Facilities"); and
WHEREAS, there is a need to establish policies and procedures for the naming
of City Facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California,
DOES RESOLVE as follows:
1. The City Council hereby approves and adopts City Council Policy
Statement No. , entitled "Naming of City Facilities," which is attached hereto as
Exhibit "A."
2 City Council Policy Statement No. shall be effective upon the
adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED and ADOPTED this
GARY SILBIGER, MAYOR
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CHRISTOPHER ARM ENTA, CAROL A. SCHWAB,
City Clerk City Attorney
7.
day of 2006.Exhibit A
CITY OF CULVER CITY
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
General Subject: Naming of City Facilities
Specific Subject:
Policy Number:
Date Issued: Effective Date:
Resolution No.:
PURPOSE
To define the policies, procedures and responsibilities associated with the naming of City
facilities.
This policy is intended to:
1. Guide staff and the City Council in the naming of City facilities, including
buildings, support facilities, park sites and recreation facilities.
2. Ensure that the naming of City facilities is accomplished in accordance with the
City's laws, rules, regulations and procedures.
DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this policy statement, the term "City Facilities" includes the
following:
"Buildings" are City-owned facilities that house employees or are otherwise used to
conduct City business. Examples of "Buildings" may include, but are not limited to, the
City Hall, Police Facility, Transportation Facility, and Public Works Facility.
"Support Facilities" are City-owned facilities that are used to support field operations.
Examples of "Support Facilities" may include, but are not limited to, the Public Works
Yard, Transfer Station, Roads, Rooms and Pump Stations.
"Park Sites" are City-owned parks, open space, trails developed and undeveloped park
areas.
"Recreation Facilities and Amenities" are facilities and amenities used primarily for
recreation and leisure activities, which would include, but not limited to, plazas, athletic
fields, sport courts, swimming pools, gymnasiums, recreation centers, meeting rooms
and theatres.
"Streets, Plazas, and Public Areas" are City-maintained streets, plazas and public
areas within the City of Culver City.
8.STATEMENT OF POLICY
The policy of the City is to name City Facilities using the criteria established by one of
the following three types of naming strategies noted below: Descriptive Naming,
Commemorative Naming, or Significant Donor/Contributor Naming.
Descriptive Naming
The following criteria may be considered in the Descriptive Naming of a City Facility:
1. Geographic Location: Geographical location or characteristics of the City Facility
with consideration being given to archaeology, geology, topography, botany,
zoology, or man-made geographical characteristics or a geographic location
logically associated with the City Facility.
2. Adjacent Street: An adjacent street to the City Facility.
3. Subdivision: The subdivision in which the City Facility is located.
4. History: An historical person, place, culture, or event associated with the City
Facility.
Commemorative Naming
Commemorative naming is assigning the name of an individual, organization or
corporation to a City Facility under the following conditions. That:
1. there is a well-defined connection associated with the contributions of the
individual, organization or corporation and the City Facility.
2. the individual's, organization's or corporation's contributions are of an
extraordinary nature.
3. the significance of the individual's, organization's or corporation's contributions is
commensurate with the service impact of the associated City Facility. For
example:
a. Individuals, organizations or corporations that have made regional
contributions may be considered for the naming of regional facilities.
b. Individuals, organizations or corporations that have made local
contributions may be considered for the naming of more local facilities
such as would serve neighborhoods within the City, including, but not
limited to, recreational facilities and amenities.
4. a City Facility may be named to honor a deceased person who has made
extraordinary contributions to the community which have been consistent and
continuous over a considerable period of time, such as the long term public
service of an elected official or a community volunteer. (NOTE: If a City Facility
is proposed to be named after a person who is deceased, one year should have
passed before the naming process is initiated.)
5. no City Facility shall be named to memorialize a living person.
9.Significant Donor/Contributor Naming
Significant Donor/Contributor naming is assigning the name of an individual, family,
business or organization to a City Facility under one or more of the following conditions.
That:
1. at least 51% of the construction costs of a substantial City Facility have been
contributed.
2. at least 51% of the cost of land has been contributed.
3. long term gifts, sponsorship agreements or endowments of a significant financial
value have been contributed.
Renaming City Facilities
City Facilities that have been named by a formal action of the City Council shall not be
renamed unless supported by a 4/5 ths vote of the City Council. This requirement shall
not apply to City Facilities that have not been named by formal action of the City Council
or action taken by City Council prior to the adoption of this Policy.
Plaques and Markers and Memorials
Plaques, markers and other memorials on City Facilities shall be consistent with existing
signage. The cost of the purchase and installation of such plaques, markers and
memorials may be paid by the individual, family, business or organization being
honored, or by the City or both.
PROCEDURE
1. A letter of request for the naming of a City Facility shall be addressed to the City
Council. This letter will include what type of naming is being requested along
with all documentation and information to be considered in support of the
request.
2. City Council shall either direct the request to the most appropriate City
Commission, Committee or staff for review and recommendation or refuse
consideration of the request.
3. If City Council passes the request on for review and recommendation, the
appropriate City Commission, Committee or staff shall review the request and
provide one or more recommendations for consideration by the City Council.
The recommendation(s) shall include the plaque, marker or memorial inscriptions
and/or means of signage for each recommendation that is made. The City
Council shall have the final approval of the proposed name and all related
signage.
O.