HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/18/2015 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 090, 2015, AMENDINGAgenda Item 12
Item # 12 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY August 18, 2015
City Council
STAFF
Dan Weinheimer, Policy & Project Manager
Wendy Williams, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 090, 2015, Amending Chapter 23 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins with
Regards to Facility and Property Naming Policies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to consider amendments to the policy for naming City-owned facilities. Proposed
amendments seek to clarify opportunities for public input and the process for selecting facility names. Staff
recommendations include adding a preference for using natural feature names for City natural areas, removing
the City Council ad hoc naming committee and the ability to name facilities for living people other than donors.
In place of a City Council committee, staff recommends that the department responsible for managing the
property or facility to be named conduct a public input process and that each site receive a historical review to
help solicit possible names.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Maintenance of a consistent and understandable process for naming City-owned property and facilities is
important for identification and can add to community connection to these amenities. The naming of property,
facilities or streets is not undertaken lightly, as names help with directions, convey a sense of place and help
memorialize community leaders. It is not the intent of the City to rename facilities, so taking an appropriate
length of time necessary in selecting a name is preferred.
While the current facility naming policy is holistic, the primary focus in many instances is the use of proper
names - who is eligible, attributing those individuals’ contributions appropriately and ensuring diversity within
those honored. The intent of this revision of the City Code and associated Administrative Policy update is to
focus on person naming in order to provide transparency to the selection process and ensure appropriate site-
specific historical review.
The purpose of a naming policy is to establish a systematic and consistent approach for selecting official
names for City property and facilities. City objectives for naming property and facilities are to ensure:
Fairness and appropriateness
Ease of identification and location of City facilities
Encourage the donation to the City of lands, facilities and funds by individuals and organizations
Agenda Item 12
Item # 12 Page 2
Current Process
Fort Collins has previously adopted policies governing the official naming of parks, natural areas, recreational
facilities, cultural facilities, trails and civic buildings. In November 2011, City Council adopted Ordinance No.
134, 2011, amending Chapter 23, Article V to add new provisions to the Naming of City Properties and
Facilities:
Section 23-141 Naming of properties and facilities for persons or entities
This section creates a City Council ad hoc committee to develop names
Section 23-142 Naming of properties and facilities for other than persons or entities
This section concerns administrative provisions and provides guidance to the City Manager in
developing non-person facility names
Section 24-91 of the City Code contains the naming policy for City streets. Planning Services maintains the
street name list and consults with local historians, neighbors, and others on appropriate proper names for this
list. On November 20, 2012, Section 24-91 was amended to empower City Council, not developers, to name
new arterial and collector streets. Council used that authority and process in January 2015 to name Suniga
Road. The street policy is regularly updated to either add or delete eligible names. The most recent update
occurred January 20, 2015.
Recommended naming policy changes
Staff recommends the following changes to the City’s facility naming policy:
1. Remove the City Council ad hoc committee process from Section 23-141 of the City Code
a. Eliminate the ad hoc naming committee of Council and replacing it with a Council-directed public input
process managed by the staff of the department intended to manage the facility.
b. Incorporate a review of the site’s history. Within this review should be consideration of contributions to
the community of past site or structure owners, the natural or pre-historic record of site use, and
important historical events that might have occurred on or near the site. The intent is that this process
provides a chance to honor community history.
c. City Council would still adopt the recommended name, but having a community input process - open
houses, Board/Commission input, etc. - ensures an opportunity for interested parties to offer names,
time to evaluate proposals, and to develop a final name.
2. Eliminate Living Person Naming under Section 23-141 of the City Code, except in case of a donation
a. In cases where a non-donor name is selected, that person must be deceased for at least 12 months
before their name will be eligible for facility naming.
b. The intent of this change is to avoid potential embarrassment associated with a person’s future actions
where a non-donor name is selected.
3. Amend the Administrative Naming Policy referenced in Section 23-142 of the City Code
a. Attached to this Agenda Item Summary (Attachment 2) is a red-lined version of Administrative Policy
2.6, the Administrative Naming Policy, reflecting changes to this policy.
b. In cases where a donor name is not used, City staff is expected to convene a public input process that
will include an opportunity for citizens to offer suggested names. Options for public input may include a
press release, public meeting, open house, neighborhood meeting, board/commission meeting, or
other means.
4. Amend the Municipal Code Section 23-142 and Administrative Naming Policy to state a preference for
naming natural areas after natural features.
Agenda Item 12
Item # 12 Page 3
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There are no City financial impacts at this time, though an intent of the City's naming policy is to encourage
financial contributions and land donations to the City. Modifications to the policy are not expected to negatively
impact donations.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Staff has presented the naming policy to many City boards and commissions, including the Commission on
Disability, Landmark Preservation Commission, Parks and Recreation Board, Land Conservation and
Stewardship Board, Senior Advisory Board and Women's Commission. This item was also presented at the
July 29 Boards and Commissions Super Issue Meeting.
Staff received suggestions from board and commission members but no formal board or commission
recommendations. The comments are included as Attachment 2.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Work Session Summary, June 23, 2015 (PDF)
2. Board and Commission Outreach Summary, July 21, 2015 (PDF)
3. City Code Section 23-141 (PDF)
4. Revised Administrative Naming Policy (PDF)
ATTACHMENT 1
City Manager’s Office
PO Box 580
300 LaPorte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
Boards and Commission outreach summary
Landmark Preservation Commission (June 24, 2015)
Need to connect names with properties – a list does not offer connection
Look for “appropriate” name for property and in doing so consider non-prominent people
that might have owned the land
Ensure the historical review of names considers both accomplishments and negative
events
List of preapproved names might be better for new development and structures rather
than natural areas and open lands
Balance human with natural names
Include names from Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes and, in doing so, ensure names are
culturally accurate and used appropriately by consulting cultural expert
o Consider naming a facility for Chief Friday
If forming a group to review names ensure cultural diversity on that panel and consult
with community leaders that represent various ethnicities
Remove the hierarchy (where it is harder to name for historical figures or relevant
families) from naming – allow more facilities to be named for people
Do homework before determining a final name
Consider names for flora, fauna and features for natural spaces and people for parks,
structures or facilities
Ensure a rigorous process not a rigorous policy
Parks and Recreation Board (June 24, 2015)
Interested in details of a proposed panel of historians evaluating names – ensure
diversity of historians and the names they consider
Utilize a citizen’s committee for each facility – similar to the street naming policy
Preapproved list does not consider a site’s unique features
Many donors within Parks and Recreation area are not interested in putting personal
recognition
Questioned how a property with an existing name (even an informal one) is handled
Existing process failed for Homestead Natural Area
Could a donor get an equal percentage of input for the percentage of donation?
Recommended considering a longer waiting period before naming – 12mos after death
might not be enough to reveal a person’s history (staff did point out that removing a
name is possible)
Recommended using the names of local war heroes and decorated military veterans
Like connecting name to features of the land or park rather than using a person’s name
Commission on Disability (June 25, 2015)
Recommended that selected names be easy to pronounce or come with a pronunciation
guide
No names after living people
Ensure that names consider cultural diversity
ATTACHMENT 2
2
Make the public input process clear and easy to understand
Women’s Commission (collected via email)
I would like to see a more diverse set of names to be brought to our community.
Include names from Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes and, in doing so, ensure names are
culturally accurate and used appropriately by consulting cultural expert.
If forming a group to review names ensure cultural diversity on that panel and consult
with community leaders that represent various ethnicities.
Interested in details of a proposed panel of historians evaluating names – ensure
diversity of historians and the names they consider
Including donors in the naming process, particularly if they don't want it named after
themselves.
I would extend diversity beyond race, ethnicity, and culture to include gender, the
LGBTQ community, and any others sectors of the population that are marginalized
and/or largely unrecognized in this current naming process.
I think these names should be approved by some entity to be sure they're not
controversial in any sort of oppressive sense.
Many of the things in Fort Collins are named after wealthy white men and while those
people individually certainly played a big part in the creation of our community, there are
also lots and lots of others who did as well including women, people of color, etc. who
may not or do not have income levels that allow them to donate money to earn a
namesake location.
Do not exclude names from backgrounds other than Anglo/European decent altogether,
and namely Native American/Indigenous People's names, which are often hard to
pronounce.
Senior Advisory Board (July 8, 2015)
Keep the Senior Center name – it conveys the audience and use of the facility.
Renaming is awkward and not optimal so adopt permanent names for facilities.
Do not change a name if citizens have voted for it.
Staff should not change a name once it has been adopted by Council.
Public involvement in naming facilities is important.
Land Conservation and Stewardship Board (July 8, 2015)
Ensure site history review reaches beyond land owners and considers other land uses.
Include diversity of thought – those outside the establishment that changed Fort Collins
for the better.
Keep non-person naming process as is (administrative).
Important to keep non-person names as is because feature naming within a site
happens frequently and requiring each feature name to go before Council (when not a
person name) is laborious.
Ensure outreach is broad and not confined to who attends one meeting.
May be preferable to offer name options to City Council when using 23-141 (person
naming) rather than having Council potentially reject a selected name.
Considering a list of historic names could be helpful.
Landmark Preservation Commission (July 8, 2015)
Define the outreach process and tools to conduct outreach.
Sec. 23-141. Naming of properties and facilities for persons or entities.
(a) The requirements of this Section shall apply to the naming of City-owned or -operated properties or
facilities for persons or entities, including, but not limited to, individuals, families, designated groups of
persons, and for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and associations. Any property assets under the City's
ownership and control, including parks, recreational and cultural facilities, civic buildings, natural areas, trails
or any portions of such properties or facilities, shall be named in accordance with this Section, except that the
naming of streets and alleys, to the extent carried out by the City, shall be governed by § 24-91 of this Code.
(b) The naming of a City property or facility, or portion thereof, for one (1) or more persons or entities shall
be approved by the City Council by resolution, after review by an ad hoc City Council committee formed for
the purpose of selecting and recommending a name for such property, facility or portion thereof. The
formation of an ad hoc naming committee may be initiated by request of the City Manager or the Mayor or by
majority vote of the City Council. An ad hoc naming committee may seek such public input and may request
and consider proposals and recommendations of City boards and commissions and the City Manager, as said
committee deems appropriate. A resolution approving a City property or facility name pursuant to this Section
shall include a description of the donation or other significant service or benefit to the community that is the
basis for the designation of the name approved. The resolution shall further provide that the City may modify
or remove the approved name in the future in the event that the City Council determines such modification or
removal to be appropriate in light of changed circumstances or other matters of public interest or convenience.
Examples of such grounds for modification of an approved name include a change of use of the facility, a
change in public perception of the name or development of a new purpose or priority for the property named.
(c) In the event that a significant financial donation has been made for the acquisition, construction or
improvement of a property or facility, the property or facility or a portion thereof may be named either for the
donor or in consideration of the wishes of the donor. Donations shall be of a significant size and proportion to
the total cost of the property or facility or portion thereof to be named. Generally, the donation should be no
less than seventy-five (75) percent of the value of the property, facility, feature or portion thereof to be named.
If such a donation is received from an individual, family or entity, the City Council will give significant weight
to a naming or recognition request from the donor, but will consider such a request in light of other policy or
practical priorities and concerns and the public interest in general. In some instances, the naming of a portion
of a property or facility or a specific feature of the property or facility for a donor may be an appropriate
alternative to naming the entire property or facility.
(d) A property or facility or a portion thereof may be named for a community member or other significant
contributor to the community, as set forth in this Subsection. To be eligible for naming consideration under
this Subsection, a name must be either the name of a living person or an entity, or the name of a person
deceased for no less than twelve (12) months at the time of nomination. Persons or entities for which a
property or facility or portion thereof is named hereunder shall be determined to have provided significant
service or direct benefit to the community that has endured, or will endure, over many years.
(e) Prior to final approval of the naming of a property or facility named for a deceased person, the City shall
make reasonable efforts to identify, locate and obtain the consent of the next of kin of such person.
ATTACHMENT 3
2.6 Administrative Naming Policy
The City Manager is authorized to select or approve the name of a facility or portion
of a facility (e.g., a room in a facility) that is not named after individuals,
organizations, or corporationsand offer a name for final approval to City Council.
These facilities may include parks, recreational facilities, cultural facilities, natural
areas, trails and civic buildings, or portions thereof.
A. Administrative Naming Conventions
1. Most facilities will be named from any one of the following categories:
a. Donor of at least 75 percent or more of the overall value of the facility or
property
b. Person:
a. Historical figure (e.g., Lee Martinez Park, Cathy Fromme Prairie, etc.)
b. Community leader (individuals that have advanced Fort Collins
through their actions and leadership)
c. Names that recognize individuals espousing diverse viewpoints or
representing diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged
a.c. Geographic location (e.g., neighborhood, historic area, etc.)
b.d.Unique natural features (e.g., Rabbit Brush Park)
c.e. Specific purpose of the facility (e.g., Senior Center, Museum of Discovery,
Utilities Service Center, etc.)
d.f. Place of historical or cultural significance
2. Names that are similar to existing City arterial and collector streets, parks, natural
areas, trails, recreation facilities, cultural facilities and civic buildings in the City
system (or other systems in the region) will not be considered if they cause
confusion with existing facilities.
3. Facilities shall not be named after products or commodities.
4. Naming rights for City facilities shall not be offered for sale or at auction,
separate from the provisions of this policy.
B. Administrative Name Selection Process
For facilities or for portions of facilities which are to be named by the City Manager:
1. The Manager may will solicit input from the City Council, the public and City
Boards and Commissions as deemed appropriate and advisable.
2. A review of the site will be conducted to evaluate the human, cultural and natural
history as well as identify natural features.
1.3.Given public interest in selecting facility names, public engagement and outreach
on facility naming shall consist of an “involve” or “consult” on the Public
Engagement Spectrum. This may consist of activities such as open house
meetings, Board/Commission input, surveys, and other presentations where the
public can provide suggestions.
2.4.A Service Area, Unit or Department may submit to the City Manager a request for
naming a park, natural area, trail, recreation facility, cultural facility or civic
building, or portion thereof.
Formatted
ATTACHMENT 4
3.5.Those submitting a naming request should show demonstrate how the proposed
name is consistent with the criteria stated in this policy.
6. The City Manager will review the proposal for adherence to the Facility Naming
Policy and approve the name in writing.
7. The naming preference for natural area properties shall be to focus on the natural
history or attributes of the property (geology, scenic beauty, flora, fauna, etc.).
4.8.In cases where an existing named facility is being added to or augmented the
name of the existing facility shall be attached to the new acreage or facility
without need for a new City Council consent.
C. Related Code Provisions
In accordance with City Code Sec. 23-141. Naming of Properties and facilities for
persons or entities adopted by City Council on October 18, 2011, the City Council is
responsible for naming City facilities or properties when the such facility is to be
named for an individual (living or deceased), an organization (e.g. foundations) or a
corporation. Arterial and collector streets are named in accordance with City Code
Sec. 24-91. List of street names; local or residential streets are named by developers
as part of the development review process.
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ORDINANCE NO. 090, 2015
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 23 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
WITH REGARDS TO FACILITY AND PROPERTY NAMING POLICIES
WHEREAS, in November 2011, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 134, 2011,
amending Chapter 23, Article V to add new provisions to the Naming of City Properties and
Facilities; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the City’s naming policy is to establish a systematic and
consistent approach to selecting official names for city amenities in a manner that is fair and
appropriate, easily identifies city facilities, and encourages donation of public lands, facilities,
and funds by individuals and entities; and
WHEREAS, Section 23-141 of the City Code, entitled “Naming of properties and
facilities for persons or entities”, as adopted under Ordinance No. 134, 2011, creates a process
whereby a City Council ad hoc committee is convened to identify names of persons or entities
appropriate for naming City real property and facilities; and
WHEREAS, Section 23-142 of the City Code, entitled “Naming of properties and
facilities for other than persons or entities”, as adopted under Ordinance No. 134, 2011, provides
guidance in delegating to the City Manager authority to develop administrative provisions to
select names appropriate for City real property and facilities other than for persons or entities;
and
WHEREAS, naming of arterial and collector streets in the Fort Collins street system is
based on procedures set forth at Section 24-91 of the City Code, which distills public input from
local historians, neighbors, and the community into a list of acceptable names, approved by
Council, from which names are selected as streets are added to the public road system; and
WHEREAS, following recent instances where an ad hoc City Council naming committee
was convened to select a name for a new natural area and trail, pursuant to Section 23-141, staff
has identified an opportunity to improve transparency and timeliness in the City’s naming
practices under that Code section; and
WHEREAS, based on feedback from the community and City Council, staff has
recommended the naming of City property and facilities, whether for persons or entities or non-
persons or non-entities, be aligned under a common set of procedures, beginning with public
outreach under administrative guidelines; and
WHEREAS, staff has further recommended discontinuation of naming city property or
facilities for living persons, other than donors making contributions greater than seventy five
percent of the cost of a facility or portion thereof; and
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WHEREAS, the City Council had determined that amending Chapter 23 of the City Code
to align and create additional transparency in the processes for naming city property and facilities
is in the best interest of the City and its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council finds that updating the procedures and conditions
followed in the naming of City properties and facilities for persons or entities in Chapter 23,
Article V of the City Code, is in the best interest of the City and its residents.
Section 2. That Section 23-141 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
repealed in its entirely and re-adopted to read as follows:
Sec. 23-141. Naming of properties and facilities for persons or entities.
(a) The requirements of this Section shall apply to the naming of City-owned or -
operated properties or facilities for persons or entities, including, but not limited
to, individuals, families, designated groups of persons, and for-profit and not-for-
profit organizations and associations. Any property assets under the City's
ownership and control, including parks, recreational and cultural facilities, civic
buildings, natural areas, trails or any portions of such properties or facilities, shall
be named in accordance with this Section or § 23-142, except that the naming of
streets and alleys, to the extent carried out by the City, shall be governed by § 24-
91 of this Code.
(b) The City Manager is authorized to establish administrative rules and procedures
for the consideration and recommendation to City Council of names for City-
owned or -operated properties or facilities or portions thereof, except as specified
in § 24-91 of this Code. All administrative consideration of names for properties
and facilities, and portions thereof, shall be in accordance with such rules and
procedures. Names for City-owned or -operated properties or facilities shall be
adopted and amended by the City Council by resolution.
(c) (c) Except as set forth in Subsection (e) below, the City Manager shall not
recommend naming City-owned or -operated properties or facilities, or portions
thereof, for living persons, and shall not offer for sale or auction the name or
naming rights of any such property, facility or portion thereof.
(d) A resolution adopted by City Council approving a City property or facility name
pursuant to this Section shall include a description of the donation or other
significant service, benefit or significance to the community that is the basis for
the designation of the name approved. The resolution shall further provide that the
City may modify or remove the approved name in the future in the event the City
Council determines such modification or removal to be appropriate in light of
changed circumstances or other matters of public interest or convenience.
Examples of such grounds for modification of an approved name include, but are
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not limited to, a change of use of the facility, a change in public perception of the
name, or development of a new purpose or priority for the property named.
(e) In the event a significant financial donation has been made for the acquisition,
construction or improvement of a property or facility, the property or facility or a
portion thereof may be named either for the donor or in consideration of the
wishes of the donor, which name may be that of a person living or deceased.
Donations shall be for no less than seventy-five (75) percent of the total value or
cost of the property or facility or portion thereof to be named. If such a donation
is received from an individual, family or entity, the City Council will give
significant weight to a naming or recognition request from the donor, but will
consider such a request in light of other policy or practical priorities and concerns
and the public interest in general. In some instances, the naming of a portion of a
property or facility or a specific feature of the property or facility for a donor may
be an appropriate alternative to naming the entire property or facility.
(f) A property or facility or a portion thereof may be named for a deceased
community member or other significant contributor to the community, as set forth
in this Subsection. To be eligible for naming consideration under this Subsection,
a person must be deceased for no less than twelve (12) months at the time of
nomination, and be a former City officer, employee, or volunteer, another person
important in the history of the City or a former citizen of exemplary character
deserving of special recognition. Persons or entities for which a property or
facility or portion thereof is named hereunder shall be determined to have
provided significant service or direct benefit to the community, or to have
achieved historical significance, that has endured, or will endure, over many
years.
(g) Prior to City Council approval of a resolution naming a property or facility named
for a person, the City shall make reasonable efforts to identify, locate and obtain
the consent of the next of kin of such person.
(h) If a name is approved pursuant to this Section that also appears on the list
maintained under § 24-91 of this Code, the Director of Community Development
and Neighborhood Services shall strike the name from the street name list and
promptly update that list as required by § 24-91.
(i) When an existing named property or facility is being added to or augmented, the
name of the existing facility may be attached to the new acreage or facility
without the requirement of additional City Council action.
Section 3. That Subsection 23-142(c) of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is
hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 23-142. - Naming of properties and facilities for other than persons or entities.
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…
(c) In connection with the naming of such properties and facilities, the City
Manager shall generally give preference to the use of names associated with
geographic location, unique natural, historical or cultural features or significance, and
the specific purposes of the property or facility, and the avoidance of confusion with
existing facilities or locations. When naming natural areas specifically, as such areas
are defined in Section 23-192 of this Code, the City Manager shall give preference to
names associated with unique or significant natural attributes or natural history of the
property over other characteristics or purposes of such properties.
Section 4. That Section 23-142 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended by the adoption of a new Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) When an existing named property or facility is being added to or augmented, the
name of the existing facility may be attached to the new acreage or facility without the
requirement of additional City Council action.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 18th day of
August, A.D. 2015, and to be presented for final passage on the 1st day of September, A.D.
2015.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 1st day of September, A.D. 2015.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk