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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/21/2015 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 090, 2015, AMENDINGAgenda Item 22 Item # 22 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY July 21, 2015 City Council STAFF Dan Weinheimer, Policy & Project 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 removing the City Council ad hoc naming committee and the ability to name facilities for living people. 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 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: Agenda Item 22 Item # 22 Page 2  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 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. 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. 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. Agenda Item 22 Item # 22 Page 3 Staff received suggestions from board and commission members but no formal board or commission recommendations. The comments are included as Attachment 3. ATTACHMENTS 1. Work Session Summary, June 23, 2015 (PDF) 2. Administrative Naming Policy, revised July 9, 2015 (PDF) 3. Board and Commission Outreach Summary, July 21, 2015 (PDF) 4. City Code Section 23-141 (PDF) 5. Powerpoint presentation (PDF) ATTACHMENT 1 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:  The Manager may will solicit input from the City Council, the public and City Boards and Commissions as deemed appropriate and advisable.  A historic review of each site will be conducted to evaluate the site character and generate possible names. This review will be conducted by trained historians and a written summary of their findings will be shared publicly upon completion.  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.  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 2  Those submitting a naming request should show demonstrate how the proposed name is consistent with the criteria stated in this policy.  The City Manager will review the proposal for adherence to the Facility Naming Policy and approve the name in writing. 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. 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 3 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 4 Amending the City’ s Naming Policy July 21, 2015 Dan Weinheimer ATTACHMENT 5 Policy Goals • Encourage donations to the City • Honor Fort Collins’ history • Develop a more predictable and transparent policy for naming City-owned property • Consider site-by-site (features, ownership and character) • Clarify naming categories • Utilize public engagement process • Ensure adequate historical review 2 Why have a naming policy? 1. Consistency 2. Clarity 3. Encourage Financial Contributions 4. Honor and Recognize Service 3 Current Municipal Code Section 23-141 – naming for persons or entities 1. Donor naming 1. Donation of at least 75 percent of overall value 2. Council considers the request of a donor while balancing the public interest 3. Consideration of naming a portion after donor (feature name) 2. Non-donor honorees 1. May be named for a community member or significant contributor to community - living or deceased 2. 12 months waiting period after death 3. City Council will choose name from proposal of ad hoc naming committee 4 Current Municipal Code Section 23-142 – naming for other than persons or entities 1. Administrative naming Names derived from categories including: • Geographic location • Unique natural features • Specific purpose of the facility • Place of historical or cultural significance 5 Outreach Board and Commission outreach included: • Parks and Recreation Board – June 24 • Landmark Preservation Commission – June 24 & July 8 • Commission on Disability – June 25 • Land Conservation Stewardship Board – July 8 • Senior Advisory Board – July 8 • Women’s Commission – via email 6 Feedback Summary • Each site is unique – no preapproved list • Begin by considering historic ownership, site characteristics and use • Historic review is important as is diversity in historians • Names considered should include greater cultural and gender diversity • Balance natural feature names and human names • Natural feature names connect modern facilities to land • Don’t name after living people • Take your time in naming to get it right • Develop rigorous process, not a rigorous policy 7 Feedback Summary - Continued • Names should be permanent • Avoid branding when selecting names • Consider diversity of thought • Recommend not amending non-person naming process • Ensure historical review extends beyond site owners • There may be value in a list of historic figures • Clarify the engagement process staff should use 8 Recommended Amendments 1. Remove the City Council Ad Hoc Committee 2. Clarify process for: 1. Developing names 2. Public input 3. Time needed for name consideration 3. Review site-specific historical record 1. Ownership 2. Natural or pre-historic uses 3. Historic events 4. Exclude naming for living people 9 Future Naming Process Donor naming 1. Individual or family donates 75%+ value = naming right 2. Individual contributes less = possible feature naming Non-donor facility naming 1. Review site history 2. Staff convene a community input process • Identify names within categories • Select a name 3. City Council adopts final name by resolution 10 - 1 - 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 - 2 - 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) 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 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. - 3 - (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, if an entity, or in consideration of the wishes of the donor, but in no event shall the name of a living person be approved. 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. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 21st day of July, A.D. 2015, and to be presented for final passage on the 18th day of August, A.D. 2015. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk - 4 - Passed and adopted on final reading on the 18th day of August, A.D. 2015. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk