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Home My WebLink AboutFIN 2022-09-12 Item 1D - Resolution - Policy for Naming of City-Owned Property City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Finance & Governance Committee FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst DATE: September 6, 2022 SUBJECT: Policy for Naming or Renaming City-Owned Property ISSUE The Finance & Governance Committee requested to update the policy on naming city- property. BACKGROUND The current naming policy resides in Resolution 1400, which was adopted in 1998. The policy is outdated and fairly limited in scope, and did not provide much guidance with regard to a naming request recently received by the City. At its July 11, 2022 meeting, the Finance & Governance Committee meeting reviewed a proposal for an honorary street naming for former Mayor Haggerton. The Committee paused making a decision on that item and requested that staff return with an updated policy that includes expanded public participation in any naming decision. The attached draft policy was prepared following research on other cities, locally and nationwide, and includes input from other departments. The City Attorney has signed off on the draft. RECOMMENDATION Staff is seeking Committee direction on the proposed policy. It could either return to committee or be forwarded to the September 26, 2022 Committee of the Whole for further discussion. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution 1400 2. Draft resolution 3. Draft policy 19 20 21 22 CC:\Legislative Development\Naming of City-owned property-Adopt policy 8-16-22 LH:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 1 of 1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A POLICY FOR NAMING OR RENAMING CITY-OWNED PROPERTY; AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 1400. WHEREAS, Resolution No. 1400 was passed in 1998 to amend policies for naming City property; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to continue and improve a predictable process for establishing or changing the name of City property; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to increase transparency and public participation in any effort to name or rename City property; and WHEREAS, naming decisions on City property must be compatible with community interest; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City of Tukwila “Policy on the Naming or Renaming of City-owned Property,” attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby adopted. Section 2. Repealer. Resolution No. 1400 is hereby repealed. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this ________ day of ____________________, 2022. ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Thomas McLeod, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Office of the City Attorney Attachment: Exhibit A – City of Tukwila “Policy on the Naming or Renaming of City-owned Property” 23 24 Policy on the Naming or Renaming of City-owned Property 8-16-22 Page 1 of 3 City of Tukwila Policy on the Naming or Renaming of City-owned Property Section 1. Purpose To establish a uniform policy regarding the naming or renaming of City- owned property including parks, facilities, buildings, and streets that ensures compatibility with the community interest. Section 2. Scope A. This policy affects City-owned property only. B. The following types of City-owned property are included within the scope of this policy: (1) Buildings and structures (2) Streets (3) Other real property, including open spaces and parks C. This policy does not apply to the following types of property: Historically registered properties for which a name has been indicated on a nomination form and accepted for use on a historic register. D. This policy does not apply to names of City properties in return for financial or in-kind contributions or sponsorships. Section 3. Authority A. The City Council shall designate the names of parks, facilities, buildings, open spaces, non-numbered streets, and honorary street designations. B. The Public Works Director shall designate the names of numbered City streets in conformance with the King County grid system. Streets shall be assigned a name when the numbering grid is deemed unfeasible or when the City Council acts pursuant to Sections 6 and/or 7 of this Policy. Section 4. Criteria for Naming City Property A. The following unranked criteria should be used to guide decision making on naming City property: (1) Geographical location (2) Building or property’s purpose (3) Cultural attributes (4) Significant historical events (5) Natural or geological features (6) City identity and image 25 Policy on the Naming or Renaming of City-owned Property 8-16-22 Page 2 of 3 (7) Names of persons who have made an outstanding civic contribution to the community, or whose names are of historic significance to the area (8) Names of City officials who served for a minimum of 10 years and who made outstanding contributions over and above the normal duties required by their positions and had a positive impact on the past and future development of programs, projects or facilities Section 5. General A. Portions of a facility may have another name than that of the entire facility or features may be dedicated to or in honor of a person. B. City property shall not ordinarily be named for living individuals, although exceptions may be considered when significant contributions or unusually outstanding public service would so justify, and when the individual is no longer serving the City in an official capacity. C. Property named after individuals requires written consent of the named party’s representative. D. There shall be a lapse of at least 12 months between the date of the death of a person(s) or of an event to be commemorated and a final decision by the City Council. E. Naming commemorations that meet the criteria and are significant to underrepresented populations are encouraged and shall be prioritized. Section 6. Naming Procedures for New Property A. Names for new parks, facilities, buildings, open spaces, and streets can be suggested by elected officials, staff, and members of the public. B. Name suggestions must be accompanied by written rationale for the name and significance of the proposed name to the criteria in Section 4.A. C. If the suggested name(s) complies with this Policy, the City shall provide an open public comment period of 30 days that is advertised broadly including notification to all members of the City’s Boards and Commissions. D. The suggested name(s) may be placed on an agenda of the City Council Committee most closely affiliated with the property being named or on an agenda of a Committee of the Whole meeting. E. The City Council shall review all public comment received in its determination as to whether the public interest is served by the proposed name. F. Name changes shall be subject to the criteria and procedures set forth in this Policy. 26 Policy on the Naming or Renaming of City-owned Property 8-16-22 Page 3 of 3 Section 7 Street Renaming Procedures A. Renaming of existing streets is generally discouraged due to impacts to abutting property owners, emergency response times, and regional wayfinding. B. Requests to rename existing streets must be accompanied by written rationale for the name and significance of the proposed name to the criteria in Section 4.A. C. Renaming of existing streets requires written support of at least 75% by linear frontage of affected property owners, which shall be gathered at the expense of the proponent. D. If the proposed name complies with this Policy and has sufficient support from abutting property owners, and will not adversely impact emergency vehicle responsiveness, the City shall provide an open public comment period of 90 days and send notification to all members of the City’s Boards and Commissions. E. The City Council shall review all public comment received in its determination as to whether the public interest is served by the proposed street name change. F. If the City approves a renaming, the City Council shall designate an effective date that provides sufficient time for abutting property owners, residents, and businesses to mitigate the name change. Section 8. Honorary Street Designations A. Honorary street designations are intended to recognize and honor individuals or groups without changing the official name of the street or the official addresses of residents and businesses on the street. B. Requests for honorary street designations must be accompanied by written rationale for the name and significance of the proposed name to the criteria in Section 4.A. C. If the proposed name complies with this Policy, the City shall provide an open public comment period of 30 days that is advertised broadly including notification to all members of the City’s Boards and Commissions. D. The City Council shall review all public comment received in its determination as to whether the public interest is served by the proposed honorary street designation. 27