Policy for Naming City Facilities, Donations, Sponsorships and Capital Campaigns
This policy describes various processes, criteria, prohibitions, and other similar factors for naming
of City facilities, accepting donations, allowing sponsorship opportunities, and establishing capital
campaigns. Several key components of the policy are as follows:
- Only new facilities or additions to facilities are eligible for naming. Facilities include all City owned infrastructure such as streets, parks, and buildings. Once named, no City facility shall be renamed. Only the City Council can name a facility.
- The City may accept donations of tangible objects or financial contributions that will lead to the acquisition of tangible objects, if, after a review of listed criteria, it is determined to be beneficial for the City. This section is likely to be most typically used for benches or trees, often in memory of a loved one. However, it contemplates other donations. City staff will conduct the review and the City Manager at his or her discretion can make a final determination to accept a donation or not. Alternatively, the City Manager can decide to seek the City Council's decision about the acceptability of a donation, generally in a currently unforeseen, but highly unique or controversial situation.
- Sponsorships that benefit City programs are allowed and will be customized in each situation.
This might be for something such as a special event, a new scholarship, or other similar nontangible program. Sponsors and City staff will mutually develop a written agreement about the level of sponsorship and the benefit afforded to the sponsor ranging from a sponsor's name on event materials to a logo on a banner or other similar publicity. No Naming rights for City facilities will be derived from sponsorships.
- Capital campaigns to help build or expand City facilities or outfit City facilities are also contemplated under this policy. Any Naming opportunities of City facilities arising from a capital campaign will be at the City Council's sole discretion in accordance with the Naming portion of the policy.
- There are limitations throughout the policy on what entities the City will consider working with for any of the policy elements. As an example, donations, sponsorships, and capital funds will not be accepted from tobacco companies or entities actively involved in litigation with the City.
- In all cases the City retains the right to determine signage or other similar recognition for any components in the policy.
In summary, the policy sets forth a clear process that will allow the City to consistently consider and manage requests for naming city facilities, accepting donations, creating sponsorships, and initiating capital campaigns. Following City Council's adoption of this policy, staff administratively cancelled an internal policy, No. 100-24, Naming/Renaming City Streets and Facilities.
