HomeMy WebLinkAboutR2007-035s:\our documen[s\resolutions\07\resolulion revising park naming policy.doc
RESOLUTION NO. /~1~~QU~
A RESOLUTION AMENDING A POLICY SETTING GUIDELINES REGARDING THE
NAMING OF PARKS AND PARK FACILITIES, AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Denton desires to amend the policy for naming and renaming
parks and park facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board recommends that the policy
be revised as written, and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it in the public interest to adopt the revised policy;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. The revised Park Naming Policy, which is attached hereto and made a part .
hereof for all purposes, is hereby approved and adopted
SECTION 2. All policies inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed
SECTION 3. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval
PASSED AND APPROVED this the _Ll~ day of _~i , 2007.
m`~.~
PE R. McNEILL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
BY:
APPRO D AS O LEGAL FORM:
EDWIN M. SNYDER, CITY ATTORNEY
BY:
PARK NAMING POLICY
PURPOSE:
1) Provide name identification for individual parks.
2) Provide name identification wherever appropriate on public buildings, structures, facilities,
and specified areas.
3) Provide for citizen input into the process of naming parks and facilities as enumerated above.
4) Insure control for the naming of parks and facilities by the Park Board and City Council
through the recommendations ofthe Director.
PARKS are owned and managed by the City and used for public recreation purposes and include
developed and undeveloped park areas and designated open space areas.
CITY FACILITIES are City owned facilities used to conduct City business. Buildings may
include, but are not limited to, City Hall, fire and police stations, Civic Center, Senior Center,
and recreation centers.
SPECIFIC FACILITIES are facilities/amenities that could be located within a park or part of a
facility. These include, but are not limited to, athletic fields, gymnasiums, meeting rooms, picnic
shelters, tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools, and playground equipment.
POLICY:
The following criteria shall be used in the naming of City owned Parks, Facilities and Specific
Facilities:
1) The Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board shall review and make recommendations to
the City Council for areas that relate to,parks, recreation facilities and recreation specific
facilities.
2) The recommendation of each suggested park, city facility and specific facility name shall be
according to criteria outlined in this policy.
A. General Criteria:
The policy of the City is to name parks and facilities in a manner that will provide an easy and
recognizable reference to City staff, citizens,,and visitors to the City and be compatible to the
area in which they are located.
Geographical Location:
A park, facility or specific facility may be named for:
an adjacent school,
the street on which it is located,
City ofDenton -Park Naming Policy Page 1
historical sites at least 50 years old,
natural features,
descriptive name for particular feature, location or region
B. IndividuaUOrganization Naming (The following criteria shall be used in evaluating the
merit of each memorial-naming request):
1) The individual must be deceased at least three (3) years unless based on the contribution
method below.
2) The individual was a resident of the City of Denton for fifteen (15) years or more.
3) The individual must not have been convicted of a felony.
4) The individual/organization has made exceptional contributions to the city, including one
or more of the following. financial gifts, public service, or long term sponsorship
agreements.
a. The individual/organization that lias made contributions of regional or community
wide significance may be considered for the naming of parks, facilities or specific
facilities that serve the regions or community.
b. The naming of a park, a facility, or parts of a park or facility shall not be accepted as a
condition of donation, unless the value of the donation exceeds $15,000 or 51% of the
total project cost, whichever is greater. Improvements valued at less than $15,000 will
not be affixed with names.
5) The person being memorialized died in the line of duty serving the City of Denton or the
United States of America or died while performing a heroic act (e.g., the life of another
person). ,
a. City will obtain and/or attempt to make contact for approval from living family
members of individuals recommended for having a park, facility or specific facility
named in their honor. `
6) Organization:
Request must be on signed letterhead with approval from Board of Directors, Chief
Operating Officer, or owner stating their approval for the naming of a park, facility or
specific facility.
Satisfying one or more of the eligibility criteria listed above does not ensure a
recommendation from the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board or City Council
approval. The re-naming of Parks, City Facilities, or Special Facilities is discouraged in an
effort not to diminish the original justification for the name or discount the value of the prior
contributions.
C. Guidelines Associated with Fundraising Campaigns
The naming of facilities in association with fundraising campaigns may be considered under
the following conditions:
City ofDenton -Park Naming Policy Page 2
1) Organizations affiliated with the City that desire to raise funds for achy-sponsored
project must receive a recommendation from the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification
Board when it relates to Recreation Facilities or Parks and receive approval from the City
Council prior to attaching naming opportunities to the fundraising campaign.
2) Organizations conducting fundraising campaigns with naming opportunities attached
must immediately notify City staff when a naming proposal is under consideration in
order to facilitate an administrative review.
3) Naming proposals that promote alcohol, tobacco products or political organizations will
not be considered.
4) Acceptance of a naming proposal by an organization conducting a fundraising campaign
must be considered conditional pending a review and recommendation by the City
Manager for non-recreation facilities and from the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification
Board for recreation related.
D. Plaques, Markers and Memorials:
Plaques, Markers and Memorials that are, requested to be located on City Property, a City
Facility or on the any City Premises, must follow the guidelines set below:
1) Must be in accordance with City Standards. The location, size and inscriptions on
plaques require approval by designated City Staff.
2) Designed to blend with and compliment design of the existing park or facility.
3) Must be made of bronze or other material pre-approved by the City of Denton
4) Costs for plaques, markers, memorials, or other signage involved in the renaming of
Parks, City Facilities, or Specific Facilities shall be borne by the nominating
individual(s), group, or organization. A written maintenance agreement for each plaque,
marker or memorial must be reviewed and approved by the Director of Parks and
Recreation.
NAMING PROCEDURE:
NAMING NEW PARKS OR FACILITIES
1) Names for new parks shall typically be, established within 180 days from the date of land
acquisition. The name of new buildings shall be established prior to the completion of
construction. Names for parts or areas of parks and facilities maybe established at any time.
2) The Chairperson of the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board shall name a committee
that will be responsible for recommending a name For all park lands and facilities to the
Board.
3) The committee shall be responsible for research, study, and recommendation of a proposed
name to the Board. Rationale for the selection of the recommended name shall be given in
writing.
4) Groups or individuals may submit nominations on a City of Denton Name Nomination
Form for naming new parks or a new facility. All recommendations will be given the
City ofDenton -Park Naming Policy Page 3
same consideration without regard to the nomination source. Designated Parks and
Recreation Department staff will review the form for completeness and accuracy. All
non-recreation requests will be forwarded directly to the City Manager. All recreation
facility requests will be forwarded to the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board. A
request for nominations will be publicized for review at the time of new construction. No
nominees will be accepted after the announced deadline. All recommendations involving
the name of a person, in accordance with Item B. of this document, shall also include the
following:
a) a biographical or informational sketch;
b) rationale supporting the nomination;
c) the name(s) of the person(s) or supporting group(s) responsible for the nomination;
d) the name(s) of the person(s) or supporting group(s) that will provide the funding for
the purchase and installation of the memorial monument and up to five years of
maintenance on any monument that is requested.
5) At least one community meeting to receive public input for the proposed name should be
held prior to the committee finalizing its recommendation to the Parks, Recreation, and
Beautification Board. This meeting can ~be a dedicated portion of the regular meeting of the
Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board.
6) The Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board shall approve or disapprove of the name
recommended by the committee.
7) If the committee's recommendation is disapproved by the Board, then the matter may be
referred back to the committee for further action.
8) All recommended names for such facilities must be approved by a majority vote of the
members of the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board.
9) Upon approval, the recommended name shall be forwarded to the City Council for their
consideration and final decision.
0) Once a name has been established, the Director of Parks and Recreation will be responsible
for the installation of appropriate signage and markers within a reasonable time.
RENAMING PARKS AND FACILITIES
1) In order to respect the historical tradition and community values, which previous
generations bestowed on these resources, the renaming of parks and facilities is strongly
discouraged.
2) Parks and facilities named for a geographic location, outstanding feature or subdivision
can be considered for renaming. A park named for an individual should not be changed
unless it is found that the individual's personal character is, or was, such that the
continued use of their name for a park or facility would not be in the best interest of the
community.
City of Denton -Park Naming Policy Page 4
3) Requests to rename a City Park or Facility (as defined on page one of this policy) shall be
made by completing the Citv of Denton Name Nomination Form provided by the Parks
and Recreation Department. Designated Parks and Recreation Department staff will
review the form for completeness. Requests for non-recreation facilities will be
forwarded to the City Manager. Requests for Parks, Recreation Facilities and Recreation
Specific Facilities will be forwarded to the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board.
4) The Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board chairperson will assign a committee of
Board members that will research, document, and provide a recommendation to the entire
Board.
5) 1n reviewing a request for a name change, the Board will give special consideration to any
legal agreements or authorized written promises which were made when the original name
was established. Any recommendation which involves the name of a person, in accordance
to Item B. of this document, shall include the following:
a) a biographical or informational sketch;
b) rationale supporting the nomination;
c) the name(s) of the person(s) or supporting group(s) responsible for the nomination;
d) the name(s) of the person(s) or supporting group(s) that will provide the funding for
the purchase and installation of the memorial monument and up to five yeazs of
maintenance on any monument that is requested.
6) If a change is requested in the name of an existing park or facility, such request will not be
acted upon by the Board until a sign stating the request has been posted on the affected
property for a period of at least 45 days. The sign should direct comments to the Director of
the Parks and Recreation Department.
7) At least one public meeting to receive, public input for the name change should be held
within thirty (30) days of the end of the name change posting. This meeting can be a
dedicated portion of the regular meeting'of the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board.
8) The Parks and Recreation Board shall approve or disapprove of the name recommended by
the committee.
9) If the committee's recommendation is disapproved by the Board, then the matter may be
referred back to the committee for further action.
10) All recommended names for such Facilities must be approved by a majority vote of the
members of the Parks and Recreation Board.
11)Upon approval, the recommended name shall be forwarded to the City Council for their
consideration and final decision.
12) Once a renaming has been established, the Director of Parks and Recreation will be
responsible for the installation of appropriate signage and markers within a reasonable time.
City ofDenton -Park Naming Policy Page 5
NAMING NEW SPECIFIC FACILITIES
1. Specific facilities are typically not named except for the following circumstances:
a. The naming of a specific facility, or parts of a park or facility, shall not be accepted
as a condition of donation, unless the value of the donation exceeds $15,000 or 51%
of the total project cost, whichever is greater. Improvements valued at less than
15,000 will not be affixed with names.
2. Should the above criteria be met, the conditions set forth in the NAMING OF NEW
PARKS OR FACILITIES section of this document shall be followed.
Nomination Acceptance:
Any nomination received will be forwarded to the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification
Board within sixty (60) days after receipt of a completed City of Denton Name Nomination
Form for all new facilities. City of Denton Name Nomination Fonns will be accepted during
the publicized period only; nominations received after the deadline will not be considered.
City ofDenton -Park Naming Policy Page 6
CITY OF DENTON
NAME NOMINATION FORM
Naming or Renaming of Pazks, City Facilities or Specific Facilities
to Recognize an Individual, Organization or Other Entity
Please type or print clearly in ink and return to:
Department of Parks and Recreation (For all Parks or Recreation Related Facilities)
City Hall (for all other Facilities)
I. Date of Submittal:
II. Individual or Organization Submittine Nomination:
III Address:
City, State, Zip:
Telephone: (_
IV. Signature of Nominee or Organization Representative:
V. Nominee (Check One): Individual ^ Organization ^
VI. Nominated Name/Organization:
VII. Number of Years Nominee Lived in Denton:
VIII. Recommended Name of Facility:
IX. Facility Location:
City ofDenton -Park Naming Policy Page 7
X. Explanation of why this individual/organization should be considered. (This
information will be used by City Staff and/or Parks, Recreation and Beautification
Board to determine the basis for their decision). Use additional sheets if necessary.
INSCRIPTION
One letter per square
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Nomination Withdrawal:
Signature Date
City Staff Review: Yes ^ No ^ Signature:
Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board
Date of Meeting:APPROVE ^ DECLINE ^
City Council Action Date:APPROVE ^ DECLINE ^
City ofDenton -Park Naming Policy Page 8