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HomeMy WebLinkAbout221208 -- Council Naming Policy CITY OF COT.i.FGE STATION Home of TexasAe7M University' CITY FACILITIES AND SUB-FACILITIES NAMING POLICY AND GUIDELINES 1. Purpose.Establishing uniform procedures and criteria for naming of City-owned facilities and sub-facilities located in the City of College Station. 2. Definitions. a. Facility: Major City-owned buildings, parks and trails built for permanent use. b. Sub-Facility: Minor City-owned structures within a Major Facility, including but not limited to swimming pools, pavilions, tennis courts, large water features, trail sections or meeting rooms. 3. Policy. The City Council has the authority to name City-owned facilities and sub-facilities according to the procedures and criteria established in this policy. 4. General Naming Criteria and Guidelines. In order to be considered a qualifying name, the proposed name for a facility or sub-facility must satisfy one of the following criteria: a. Be descriptive of a geographic location or a significant natural feature in or near the facility, or an adjoining subdivision, street, or school. b. Commemorate historical events, groups or individuals that remain of continued importance to the City, region, State, or Nation. c. Commemorate individuals who are deceased and have a history of exceptional community service or contributions to the facility's best interests and purposes, such as: i. Involvement in a leadership role in civic organizations that are devoted to community improvement; ii. Assistance to the underprivileged, as well as people with physical or intellectual disabilities; iii. Active promotion of effective programs for youth or senior citizens within the community; iv. Active promotion of and organizing community events and activities that have enriched the quality of life within the community; v. Active promotion of and directed efforts to improve the aesthetic appearance and environmental quality of the community; or vi. Leading efforts to collect, promote and retain the historical heritage of the community. d. Commemorate individuals who made significant contributions to the City's acquisition or development of the facility. P.O.BOX 9960 • 1101 TEXAS AVENUE • COLLEGE STATION • TEXAS • 77842 cstx.gov i. If a facility is named to commemorate or honor an individual or group, the relative importance of the facility to be named after the individual or group should match the respective stature, characteristics and contributions. The following circumstances may be considered in naming of a facility after a donor, benefactor or group: 1. Land for the majority of the facility was deeded to the City; 2. Contribution of a minimum of 50% of the capital construction costs associated with developing the facility; or 3. Provision of an endowment for at least 50% of a facility's estimated useful life for the continued maintenance and/or programming of the facility. ii. The City Council may alter these guidelines if deemed necessary. iii. The City reserves the right to utilize criminal background checks as part of the vetting process in order to ascertain an honoree's good character. e. Recognize organizations involved in a public-private partnership with the City that have made significant financial or capital contributions to the acquisition or development of the facility. This includes any Naming Rights Agreement approved by City Council. f. Have historical, cultural, or social significance for future generations. g. Research indicates that the area around the facility, or the facility itself, has been commonly named in an unofficial capacity by residents. 5. Restrictions on the Naming of Public Facilities and Sub-Facilities. a. No duplication of other facility's or sub-facility's names To minimize confusion, facilities will not be subdivided beyond the level of sub-facilities for the purpose of naming unless there are readily identifiable physical divisions such as roads or waterways. b. Facility names that might be considered discriminatory or derogatory will not be considered. c. Facility names will not advocate for or promote a current political figure, political affiliation, ideology or religion. Naming of City Facilities and Sub-facilities Page 2 of 5 Approved December 8,2022 NAMING PROCESS PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES 1. Naming of Major Facilities. a. A permanent name for the facility should be finalized no later than the 50% completion mark in the construction or acquisition process. Before the permanent naming of a facility, the location shall be referred to by its address or location designation until the facility is given an official name. b. The City will utilize a Council Facilities Task Force to facilitate the naming of facilities. c. The Council Facilities Task Force will proceed with the naming of a facility according to the following: i. The facility naming process is initiated with the approval of the design, construction or acquisition of a facility. ii. The City Council may choose from a variety of sources for name recommendations (i.e. Council member, staff or donor recommendations, historical review of the site, recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board,recommendations from previous owners, etc.). Names may be suggested by citizens or community groups by submission to the Mayor, City Council or City Manager. iii. Names may be submitted by the departmental owner of the facility, executive management, the Mayor or members of the City Council. iv. All names for City facilities will be approved by a majority City Council vote regardless of the source of the name's recommendation. v. Providing a projected cost estimate to the City Council regarding the naming. d. Before the City Council takes final action on the naming of a Major City Facility a public hearing will be held to discuss the naming. 2. Naming of Sub-Facilities. a. All requests for the naming or renaming of a sub-facility shall be made in writing to the Director of Parks and Recreation for parks sub-facilities or to the City Manager for all other sub-facilities. Written requests should at a minimum contain the following: i. The proposed name; ii. Reasons for the proposed name; iii. Written documentation indicating community support for the proposed name (if applicable); iv. If proposing to name a facility within a park, include a description/map showing the location of the facility; and v. If proposing to name a facility after an individual, group, donor or benefactor, include documentation of that person or group's significance Naming of City Facilities and Sub-facilities Page 3 of 5 Approved December 8,2022 and good reputation in the City's, State's, or Nation's history. Please refer to the commemorative naming conditions for an individual found in this policy. vi. A projected cost estimate regarding the renaming. b. Upon receipt, the Director of Parks and Recreation or the City Manager will: i. Review the proposed request for its adherence to the policies of the City of College Station and ii. Ensure that supporting information has been authenticated, particularly when an individual's name is proposed as the facility's or sub-facility's name. c. When deemed appropriate, the City Manager will recommend the Facilities Task Force review sub-facility renaming suggestions. d. The Facilities Task Force will review the sub-facility naming request at a Facilities Task Force meeting and make a recommendation to the City Council. In all cases, the City Council will have the final authority in accepting or rejecting the naming proposal by majority. 3. Guidelines for Re-Naming Process. a. The renaming of facilities or sub-facilities is discouraged. It is recommended that efforts to change a name be subject to a critical examination so as not to diminish the original justification for the name or discount the value of the prior contributors. i. Parks or other facilities named by deed restriction shall not be considered for renaming. ii. Parks and facilities named after individuals shall not be renamed unless it is determined that the individual's personal character is or was such that the continued use of the name for a facility would not be in the best interest of the City or community. Exceptions may be considered in cases of changes in use of facilities or for facility demolitions. b. If it is decided by the City Council that it is in the best interest of the City to rename a major or sub-facility, it may be renamed in accordance with the criteria and guidelines outlined in the procedures of this policy. 4. Plaques, Markers and Memorials. a. Plaques, markers and memorials may be incorporated into a facility or sub-facility during the design phase of the project. Plaques, markers, and memorials that are incorporated into the design of a facility will be subject to the same oversight and controls as applicable to the rest of the project. Naming of City Facilities and Sub-facilities Page 4 of 5 Approved December 8,2022 b. Plaques, markers, and memorials added to a facility or sub-facility after its completion and opening will be designed and installed according to the City's Dedication Plaque Policy. ADOPTED this 8th day of December, 2022. ATTEST: APPROVED: 42;A- eL -- City Secre ary Mayor Naming of City Facilities and Sub-facilities Page 5 of 5 Approved December 8,2022