DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE
ACTION ON ESTABLISHING A
CITY FACILITY NAMING POLICY
City Manager's Office
September 8, 2026
OUTLINE
1. Background
2. Draft Policy
1. Naming Criteria
2. Vetting Requirements
3. Corporate Naming Rights
4. Naming Restrictions
5. Naming Process
6. Renaming Guidelines
3. Staff Recommendation
2 BACKGROUND
• Strategic Plan Goal 5.2 Objective #69
• Staff researched other cities’ naming policies
• Draft policy reflects best practices and City values
• City Council Subcommittee
3 NAMING CRITERIA
• Three facility types:
• Major Facilities
• Neighborhood Facilities
• Park Structures
• Criteria
• Geographic or historical significance
• Individuals with exceptional civic leadership and community service
• 1 year waiting period after death (unless waived by 4/5 Council vote)
• Donors with meaningful financial contributions (subject to vetting) 4 VETTING REQUIREMENTS
• Background investigation for individuals or corporate sponsors
• Review publicly available information
• Disqualifying background automatically not eligible • Ineligible:
• Current elected/appointed officials
• Current City or municipal employees
5 CORPORATE NAMING RIGHTS
• Allowed for Major and Neighborhood Facilities
• Process may include RFP or direct solicitation
• Evaluation Criteria
• Corporate reputation
• Alignment with facility mission
• Duration and value of naming rights
• Term typically 5-20 years
• Rights may be revoked by 4/5 City Council vote if
reputation no longer aligns
6 NAMING RESTRICTIONS
• Major Facilities & Park Structures not eligible for individual naming unless Council-approved
• Certain facilities cannot be renamed:
• Civic Center
• 9/11 Memorial
• Veterans Park
• Historic Library
• Owned by another government entity
• Political, discriminatory, profane, or overly complex names • Duplicate names or subdivision of facilities, unless clear physical divisions exist
7 NAMING PROCESS – MAJOR FACILITIES
• City Council oversees the naming process
• City Manager and assigned staff evaluate naming
suggestions
• Requires 4/5 City Council approval
8 NAMING PROCESS – NEIGHBORHOOD
FACILITIES
• Requests initiated by Council or applicants
• Applications submitted through City Clerk’s Office
• Public Amenities Commission review within 30 days
• 14-day public notice before Council meeting
• Administrative Report prepared by staff
• Requires 4/5 City Council vote
• Applicant pays full cost within 30 days of approval
9 COST RESPONSIBILITIES
• Application fees non-refundable
• Applicants pay for:
• Administration
• Staff time
• Labor and materials
• Signage costs
• Fees are based on the City’s Master Fee Schedule
10 RENAMING GUIDELINES
• Renaming discouraged, but allowed only when:
• Facility use changes
• Demolition of facility
• Honoree’s reputation no longer aligns with City values • Existing names are grandfathered but may be
reconsidered if needed
11 RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Provide feedback and direction on draft policy
2. Direct staff to return with a resolution to formally adopt the City Facility Naming Policy
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