Item B - Naming Policies - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

show that a number of cities have such policies in place. These provide a good basis for developing a policy for city-owned facilities. With the construction of two new elementary schools, Eugene School District 4-J recently adopted a formal policy related to naming of school buildings. That policy is as follows: "The board will select names of schools in the district in which the students and parents may take pride. Personal prejudice or favoritism, political pressure and current fashion shall not influence the selection process. The following categories are suggested: People: Names of distinguished men or women who have made outstanding contributions to the community, state, nation or general welfare of humanity, in the fields of arts and letters, science, government or education. Names of people still active in their careers are not acceptable. Places: Names of recognized historical and geological landmarks or areas; geographic subdivisions or points of interest. Themes: Thematic names which reflect the character of the community, culturally and historically, or which identify it by reference to indigenous and characteristic flora and fauna." Another consideration regarding a naming policy is that of naming and renaming. Naming of a new facility or amenity may be easier than renaming an existing facility. Renaming may require additional resources if it is a building or street. One final matter to consider in creating a naming policy is that of public involvement. Some cities have created ad hoc groups to develop a set of names, others have created an initiative-type system and still others have handed off such tasks to a standing citizen advisory committee. There are a number of variations related to citizen involvement. Timing This item is not time-sensitive. OPTIONS The City Council has several options with regard to a naming policy: 1. Maintain the status quo. This would be the least costly and easiest course, but would not provide any uniform guidelines or direction for staff or the community. 2. Direct the City Manager to prepare a proposed policy roughly based upon existing policies in other cities. This option would enable the council to a good idea of what a policy would and would not include and would require a minimum of resources. 3. Leave intact the current "naming in recognition" practices of the Library and Parks and Open Space Division and direct the City Manager to prepare a policy that relates only to "naming in commemoration," again based upon existing guidelines from other cities. 4. Adopt the naming policy and procedures of one of the several example cities. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to develop a policy related to "naming in commemoration" and that a draft proposal be presented to the City Council within the next 90 days. The current practices of the Library and Parks and Open Space Division are successful and approach naming from a very different perspective; there is not a great deal of need to revise these practices. L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040712\S040712B.DOC