5A
Date: January 15, 2025
To: Chair and Members of the Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
By: Carlos Huizar, Management Associate | [email protected] Subject: City Manager – Discuss and Provide Direction on Potential Policy and Procedure Changes for the Naming of City-Owned Land, Buildings and Facilities. Expenditure:
None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager that the Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee discuss and provide direction on potential policy and procedure changes for the naming of city- owned land, buildings and facilities.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
On June 17, 2008, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2008-81, which authorized the City Council Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee to establish policies and procedures for naming City-owned properties, including land, buildings, and facilities. The resolution aims to guide the City Council in considering the following:
1. Criteria for naming or renaming City-owned land, buildings, and facilities in honor of individuals;
2. The circumstances under which such naming may occur; and
3. The duration of naming rights for City properties.
For your reference, Attachment 1 provides the full text of the naming policy and procedures.
This agenda item provides an opportunity for the Committee to review and potentially update the policy, particularly regarding the eligibility of individuals to be honored through the naming of public facilities.
1 Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee
January 15, 2025
6 4
5 Proposed Policy and Procedure Change
Staff recommends an important addition to the current policy: individuals who are actively serving in a role with the City (whether elected, appointed, or employed) should be excluded from consideration for naming City facilities.
The Committee should consider the following reasoning for excluding individuals currently serving in an active role from consideration for the naming of City facilities. First, there is the concern of potential conflicts of interest. Public officials and city employees are in positions where their decisions can directly influence the naming of public properties. Allowing individuals who are currently in office to be considered for such honors could create the perception—if not the reality— of a conflict of interest, thereby undermining the integrity and fairness of the process. It is important to maintain the objectivity of the naming procedure and prevent any actions that could be seen as self-serving or politically motivated.
Additionally, excluding active officeholders and city staff helps to reinforce the principle of the separation of powers. Naming City properties is a process that should reflect a broader historical perspective, honoring individuals for their long-term contributions to the community. Recognizing someone still in an active role could blur the lines between tribute and political gain, reducing the significance of such honors. The naming process should be based on enduring legacies rather than transient positions or short-term contributions.
Lastly, this recommendation aligns with common practice in other institutions and organizations, which often refrain from naming public spaces or facilities in honor of active officeholders or individuals currently holding influential positions. Many respected institutions follow this policy to ensure that names given to public properties are reserved for those whose contributions are seen as lasting and universally acknowledged, rather than influenced by current political dynamics or temporary roles.
By ensuring that only individuals who have concluded their service or made a lasting impact are considered for naming honors, we can preserve the integrity of the process and ensure that such decisions are grounded in the long-term benefit and recognition of the community, rather than influenced by short-term political or professional interests.
Upon the Committee's review and recommendation, the proposed changes will be presented to the full City Council for consideration. The public will be provided an opportunity for input before a final decision is made.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 2008-81
2. Resolution No. 2008-81 (redlines)
2 RESOLUTION NO. 2OO8- 81
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THIS
CITY OF TORRANCE ESTABLISHING POL¡ CIES AND
PROCEDURES FOR THE NAMING OF CITY- OWNED
LAND, BUILDINGS, AND FACILITIES
The City Council of the City of Torrance does hereby resolve as follows
PURPOSE
To establish formal policies as a guide to the City Council in considering ( 1) appropriate names for City- owned land, buildings and facilities; ( 2) whether, and under what circumstances, such land, buildings, and facilities should be named or renamed in honor of individuals; and ( 3) the duration of naming rights of City- owned land, buildings and facilities,
ll SCOPE
This regulation is applicable to all City departments and offices responsible directly to the City Manager. lt is also requested that elective offices and other independent offices and departments of the City comply with these procedures in the interest of administrative uniformity.
POLICY
ln determining the names to be given to City- owned land, buildings and facilities, the City Council will give particular consideration to the following policy guidelines:
The City Council will consider candidate names for facilities whether submitted by Council members, City staff, City agencies, civic organizations, and/ or the general public including names incorporating the name of Torrance where it is deemed important for civic or other reasons for a building or facility to be identified with the City, Names that have recognizable geographic, topographic or historical significance associated with Torrance. ln assessing this type of name, the City Council will take into consideration the recommendations from different bodies such as the Planning Commission or Torrance Historical Society.
City, owned land, buildings and facilities may be named in honor of persons who have served the nation, the State of California and/ or the City of Torrance in an exceptional and distinguished manner; and, where such action is warranted by a contribution or service which is deemed to be of major significance.
The naming of City- owned land, buildings and facilities in honor of a deceased person shall generally not take place until after a minimum of one- year waiting period unless the City Council determines that there are overriding considerations deviating from this policy guideline. This particular policy guideline is not intended in any way to reflect on the merits of any deceased individual who may have been a prominent civic leader. However, it is felt appropriate to establish some type of waiting period to ensure that an individual' s accomplishments or contributions will stand the test of time; and that a decision shall not be made on an emotional basis immediately following a person' s death.
ORIGINAL
ATTACHMENT 1
3 City- owned land, buildings and facilities may be named after individuals or families who have donated the land or funds for the capital project, particularly if such naming is set forth as a condition of the donation.
The City Council may approve the naming of City- owned land, buildings, or facilities based on an organization or individual' s monetary contribution to the City for that purpose. The funds from that contribution may be used for any purpose deemed appropriate by the City Council unless there is a specified use as a condition of the contribution. The duration of the name is on a case- by- case basis at the discretion of the City Council unless othenruise set forth as a condition of the contribution approved by the Council.
The names of City- owned land, buildings and facilities shall not normally þe named in honor of individuals when they have previously been named for other individuals.
However, if the Council deems it appropriate, they may vary from this guideline on a case- by- case basis.
IV. PROCEDURES
Requests for naming or renaming of City- owned land, buildings and facilities shall be filed with the City Clerk for transmittal to the Mayor in writing, accompanied by a statement summarizing the justification for the recommended name( s).
The Mayor fonryards the request to the Chair of the Facility Naming Committee. The Chair schedules a meeting of the Committee to consider the request. The meeting is open to the public and gives members of the community an opportunity to give input to the process. The Committee should schedule the meeting within 30 days of receiving the request.
lf the request is denied by the Committee, no further action is taken, lf the request is approved, the Committee Chair directs staff to prepare a report for the full Council where public input is again received.
The City Council will make its determination as to the naming or renaming of City- owned land, þuildings and facilities at regularly scheduled meetings of the City Council at which staff, representatives of advisory bodies and civic organizations and the general public may offer testimony. lf the request is denied by the Council, no further action is taken. lf the City Council approves the request, staff is directed to go fonvard with implementing the naming of the facility. The steps taken to implement the request will be developed as an internal City process. The decision of the City Council will be final. lntroduced, approved and adopted this 17th day of June, 2008
APPROVED AS TO FORM
JOHN OWS City Attorney
Mayor Frank Scotto
ATTEST:
by
Ronald T, Pohl, Assist City Attorney Herbers, City Clerk 4 TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2008. 81
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF TORRANCE
AYES COUNCILMEMBERS
SS
l, Sue Herbers, City Clerk of the City of Torrance, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly introduced, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Torrance at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 17"' day of June, 2008 by the following roll call vote:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Date -
è*-"-- åå . Þ¿>:, g
Barnett, Brewer, Drevno, Nowatka, Sutherland,
Witkowsky, and Mayor Scotto.
None.
None.
None,
Herbers
of the City of Torrance
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
5 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-812025-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THIS CITY OF
TORRANCE ESTABLISHING POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES FOR THE NAMING OF CITY-OWNED LAND,
BUILDINGS, AND FACILITIES
The City Council of the City of Torrance does hereby resolve as follows:
PURPOSE
To establish formal policies as a guide to the City Council in considering (1) appropriate names for City-owned land, buildings and facilities; (2) whether, and under what circumstances, such land, buildings, and facilities should be named or renamed in honor of individuals; and (3) the duration of naming rights of City-owned land, buildings and facilities.
II SCOPE
This regulation is applicable to all City departments and offices responsible directly to the City Manager. It is also requested that elective offices and other independent offices and departments of the City comply with these procedures in the interest of administrative uniformity.
III. POLICY
In determining the names to be given to City-owned land, buildings and facilities, the City Council will give particular consideration to the following policy guidelines:
The City Council will consider candidate names for facilities whether submitted by Council members, City staff, City agencies, civic organizations, and/or the general public including names incorporating the name of Torrance where it is deemed important for civic or other reasons for a building or facility to be identified with the City.
Names that have recognizable geographic, topographic or historical significance associated with Torrance. In assessing this type of name, the City Council will take into consideration the recommendations from different bodies such as the Planning Commission or Torrance Historical Society.
City-owned land, buildings and facilities may be named in honor of persons who have served the nation, the State of California and/or the City of Torrance in an exceptional and distinguished manner; and, where such action is warranted by a contribution or service which is deemed to be of major significance. However, no individual currently serving in an active role shall be considered for naming, except in special circumstances, at the discretion of the City Council.
The naming of City-owned land, buildings and facilities in honor of a deceased person shall generally not take place until after a minimum of one-year waiting period unless the City Council determines that there are overriding considerations deviating from this policy guideline. This particular policy guideline is not intended in any way to reflect on the merits of any deceased individual who may have been a prominent civic leader. However, it is felt appropriate to establish some type of waiting period to ensure that an individual's accomplishments or contributions will stand the test of time; and that a decision shall not be made on an emotional basis immediately following a person's death.
ATTACHMENT 2
6 City-owned land, buildings and facilities may be named after individuals or families who have donated the land or funds for the capital project, particularly if such naming is set forth as a condition of the donation.
The City Council may approve the naming of City-owned land, buildings, or facilities based on an organization or individual's monetary contribution to the City for that purpose. The funds from that contribution may be used for any purpose deemed appropriate by the City Council unless there is a specified use as a condition of the contribution. The duration of the name is on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the City Council unless otherwise set forth as a condition of the contribution approved by the Council.
The names of City-owned land, buildings and facilities shall not normally be named in honor of individuals when they have previously been named for other individuals.
However, if the Council deems it appropriate, they may vary from this guideline on a case-by-case basis.
IV. PROCEDURES
Requests for naming or renaming of City-owned land, buildings and facilities shall be filed with the City Clerk for transmittal to the Mayor in writing, accompanied by a statement summarizing the justification for the recommended name(s).
The Mayor forwards the request to the Chair of the Facility Naming Committee. The Chair schedules a meeting of the Committee to consider the request. The meeting is open to the public and gives members of the community an opportunity to give input to the process. The Committee should schedule the meeting within 30 days of receiving the request.
If the request is denied by the Committee, no further action is taken. If the request is approved, the Committee Chair directs staff to prepare a report for the full Council where public input is again received.
The City Council will make its determination as to the naming or renaming of City-owned land, buildings and facilities at regularly scheduled meetings of the City Council at which staff, representatives of advisory bodies and civic organizations and the general public may offer testimony. If the request is denied by the Council, no further action is taken. If the City Council approves the request, staff is directed to go forward with implementing the naming of the facility. The steps taken to implement the request will be developed as an internal City process. The decision of the City Council will be final.
Introduced, approved and adopted this _____ day of ______, ______.
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