Governance &
Ethics Committee
Item #2 - Review and Approval on
Amendments to Council Policy 035
("Naming of Facilities") to Proposed
Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City
Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”)
RTC #25-218
June 2, 2025
Background
• Council Policy 035 establishes the criteria and
procedures for the naming of City of Santa Clara
facilities to ensure naming decisions are made in
an equitable and consistent manner.
• Council Policy 035 (“Naming of Facilities”) was
last reviewed by the Governance & Ethics Committee
on March 13, 2023, amended and approved by the
City Council on October 10, 2023.
• To further define criteria and provide consistent
procedures for naming proposals for City streets,
parks and other facilities, staff presents proposed
amendments for consideration.
(RTC Attachment 2 – Highlighted in Yellow)
2 Background (cont.)
• The Governance and Ethics Committee was established by Council action on February 5, 2019, to consolidate the Governance Committee, Ethics Committee, and the Facilities Naming and Honorary Recognition Ad Hoc Committee.
• Per the City Charter 2.120.110, the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to historical landmarks, names and renaming of streets, museums and the establishment thereof in the City, and the marking and preservation of historical landmarks and places. 3 Proposed Amendments
1. Title: Revise title to include the naming and process for City streets to be titled as: Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”).
2. Role of HLC: The proposed policy includes language to include the HLC in the naming process for streets and also for other City facilities
3. Criteria for Commemorative Naming of Streets, Parks & Facilities:
Details shown on next slides
4 Proposed Amendments (cont.)
Criteria for Commemorative Naming of Streets, Parks & Facilities Existing Guidelines in Policy
a) Geographic location, demographic information, or prominent environmental feature(s) of the area that the building/facility is located shall be considered. b) Individuals living or deceased, who have made outstanding contributions to the City of Santa Clara community or of regional state or international significance.
c) Honoring the important contributions and accomplishments of individuals from underrepresented communities 5
Proposed Amendments (cont.)
Criteria for Commemorative Naming of Streets, Parks & Facilities Existing Guidelines in Policy
d) Opportunities to foster a more welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environment as well as to reflect and connect with the City’s diverse community
e) Naming Rights Agreement: Agreements may provide a financial benefit to the City with sponsorships or naming rights agreements for City-owned facilities which aligns with the City’s mission and values. 6 Proposed Amendments (cont.)
Criteria for Commemorative Naming of Streets, Parks & Facilities Proposed Amendments
f) Consideration of names with common or historical usage (e.g. clusters streets named after U.S. Presidents).
g) The individual/organization must have demonstrated outstanding achievements, contributions, and/or enrichment of the City of Santa Clara community. The contribution of the person being honored must have been extraordinary, significant, and unique, setting this individual apart from others who contributed to the community. This may be evident by documented history of the individual’s contributions or receipt of recognitions and awards. 7 Proposed Amendments (cont.)
Criteria for Commemorative Naming of Streets, Parks & Facilities Proposed Amendments
h) The individual being honored by the dedication or naming has a direct and long-term association with the feature or facility such as:
i. Developer of the designated feature
ii. Donor of the land to the City of Santa Clara
iii. Person who played a large part in protecting the land or feature for public benefit iv.Person who played a large part in providing community services through the feature or facility
Where applicable, permission will be sought from the honored individual’s surviving family, preferably, next of kin.
8 Proposed Amendments (cont.)
Criteria for Commemorative Naming of Streets, Parks & Facilities Proposed Amendments
i) Donation/Deed of Land/Facility: If negotiated or otherwise required as a condition of property donation or deed, a naming requirement for a park or facility on such land shall be honored, although a geographic or characteristic name is preferred.
j) Names that are similar to existing streets, parks, and facilities or properties in the area should be avoided in order to minimize confusion. The City should avoid changing street names along any continuous alignment. 9 Proposed Amendments (cont.)
4. Approved List of Names for City Facilities, Parks & Streets: HLC maintains a list of approved names for streets. The list would be used for consideration of naming proposals for City facilities, parks and streets. (List updated/approved by City Council annually or as needed)
5. Number of Options for Names: All naming proposals to provide at least two and no more than three options for naming recommendations.
6. Unique Instances for Facility Naming: Under circumstances, where expedited naming process is necessary or appropriate, nominations may be proposed by City staff or members of the public for City parks, facilities or streets to the City Manager’s Office or by written request by City Councilmembers through Council Policy 030 (“Adding an Item to an Agenda”). Nominations in compliance with this policy will be recommended to the City Council to be considered at a publicly noticed meeting.
10 Proposed Amendments (cont.)
11 Public Input Initial Recommendation Final Recommendation Naming of New
Parks & Recreation
Facilities
P&R Commission
reviews naming options
which may include a
community outreach
process.
P&R Commission makes
initial recommendation to
Governance & Ethics
Committee with 2-3 options.
Governance & Ethics
Committee makes final
recommendation to City
Council.
Naming of Streets HLC reviews naming
options which may
include a community
outreach process.
N/A
As the current practice, HLC
makes recommendation
directly to Council.
HLC makes the final
recommendation to the
City Council regarding
the naming of streets
with 2-3 options.
Naming of Other
Facilities
HLC reviews naming
options which may
include a community
outreach process.
HLC makes initial
recommendation to
Governance & Ethics
Committee with 2-3 options.
Governance & Ethics
Committee makes final
recommendation to City
Council.
Procedural Amendments
Discussion
• Approve amendments, if any, to Council Policy 035
("Naming of Facilities") to Proposed Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”) to be brought forth to the City Council for consideration and approval.
12