Council Policies:
Consider Adopting a
City Council Policy on
City Asset Naming and
Renaming
September 09, 2025
City Council Policy
• Official description of a
City procedure, policy,
or practice
• Approved by the City
Council
• Policy may derive from an
ordinance, resolution,
or administrative
regulation
Background
October 2022 November 2022
September 09,
2025
The Christopher
Columbus and
Discovery Park Task
Force adopted a
Framework for
Monument
Installation and
Naming/Renaming of
City Assets
The City Council
directed staff to
develop a formal
policy for naming
and renaming City
assets consistent
with the Christopher
Columbus and
Discovery Park Task
Force
recommendations
The City Council is
asked to consider
adopting a policy on
City Asset Naming
and Renaming
Purpose of Proposed City Council
Policy
• A City Council Policy on Asset
Naming and Renaming provides a
process and uniform guidelines for
naming or renaming of City assets
• This process is meant to:
oMaintain integrity and future
relevance
oEncourage philanthropic giving
while acknowledging public
investments
oSafeguard against unwanted
commercialization of City Assets
oEnsure broad community
acceptance
Policy Scope
Applies to:
• City Assets
• City Facilities
o Parks
o Libraries
o Recreational facilities and
buildings
o Parking facilities
o Interior/ancillary features
(meeting rooms, gyms, etc.)
Does not apply to:
• Streets (covered by CVMC
12.44)
• Administrative facilities
o Civic Center
o Council Chambers
o Police and Fire facilities
Policy Guidelines
The Naming or Renaming of City Assets are pursuant to the following guidelines in order of preference:
Geographic Location
Topography, Prominent Flora, Names that Strengthen
Neighborhood or City Identity, and Cultural or
Historical Precedent
Extraordinary Circumstances
(individuals/groups with significant contributions)
Major Donations
Neutral and Unique Names
Policy Process Overview - Nominations
Nominations sent to City
Manager
• Proposals: City department
directors or community members
• Recommendations: Commissions
or task forces
Proposal Requirements
• Proposed Name
• Location
• Reasons for the Proposed Name
• Evidence of broad community
support
Interior or Ancillary Features
City Manager (or designee) may approve names for rooms/areas within facilities if based on geography, topography, flora, or cultural/historical precedent. Naming after individuals, groups, or organizations requires full Council approval.
Policy Process Overview - Review
City Manager
Receives
Request
City
Department
Review
City
Attorney
Review
City Council
Review
City Manager Authority
City Manager (or designee) may reject proposals or remove names if harmful, controversial, costly, or inconsistent with policy. The City Manager may also rename assets if an associated person or organization becomes disreputable or non-compliant.
Policy Process Overview - Safeguards
• One proposal per asset every
12 months
• Duplicate requests not
considered for 5 years
• Renaming only after 10 years
(unless extraordinary
circumstances)
• Incomplete/unsupported
proposals will not advance
• Council may remove/rename if
harmful or controversial
• Signage must follow design
guidelines and City approval
Adopt a resolution of
the City Council of
the City of Chula
Vista adopting a new
City Council Policy
on City Asset Naming
and Renaming
Recommended
Action