R-2015-045 2015-03-23 RESOLUTION NO. R2015-45
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas,
adopting a Commemorative Naming Policy for City facilities and
parks.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby adopts the Commemorative Naming
Policy. attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of March, A.D.; 2015.
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TOM REID
MAYOR
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DARRIN M. COKER
CITY ATTORNEY
RESOLUTION NO. R2015-45
Exhibit "A"
City Of Pearland
COMMEMORATIVE NAMING POLICY
PURPOSE:
The City of Pearland acquires land and constructs major public facilities that deserve naming that
celebrates the history, environment as well as the community involvement and citizen contribution.
This policy is to develop a systematic and consistent approach for the official naming of public
facilities in the City of Pearland, including parks, city facilities and City owned property that is fair
and ensures a worthy and enduring legacy for the City.
In addition to this commemorative naming, the City of Pearland reserves the right to seek
sponsorship for the naming rights to a park, facilities or amenities as a method of obtaining funds to
aid in the construction, maintenance and operation of said park, facility or amenity. Information
regarding this can be found under separate policy.
Objectives:
• Ensure that parks and city facilities are easily identified and located.
• Ensure that given names to parks and city facilities are consistent with the values and character of
the area or neighborhood served.
• Encourage public participation in the naming,renaming,and dedication of parks and city facilities
• Advance the reputation of the City as well as increase the understanding and public support for its
programs.
DEFINITIONS:
PARKS are owned and managed by the City, used for public recreation purposes and include
developed and undeveloped park areas and designated open space areas.
CITY FACILITIES are City owned facilities. Buildings may include but are not limited to City
Hall, Fire and Police Stations, Senior Center, Recreation Center,Libraries, Plants(Wastewater&
Water), Storm water Detention Facilities,Municipal Courts, Civic Centers, Community Center, etc.
DISCUSSION:
The City Council will evaluate the merit of each suggested park and city facility name according to
criteria outlined in this policy.
When feasible, the process to name parks, and city facilities, should begin within twelve(12)months
after the City has acquired title to the land and/or formally accepted the dedication.
Names that are similar to existing parks, and city facilities should not be considered in order to
minimize confusion.
Facilities or specialized areas may have a name different from that of the larger park, or city facility
for which they are located.
This policy applies to parks and city facilities available to and operated for the benefit of the public
and under the management and responsibility of the City of Pearland.
Facilities may be named after individuals(either living or deceased), organizations or entities
consistent with criteria set out in these guidelines.
Symbolic names reflecting historical or special events or circumstances may be used at the discretion
of the City Council. (This may include such names as Independence or Centennial Parks)
The naming of a facility must be consistent with the positive image of the community
Consideration should be given to including the function of the building to the extent practical, such
as`library' or`activity building'.
Any one or combination of all the criteria contained herein may be considered when making
decisions.
CRITERIA:
The practice of the City of Pearland is to name parks,and city facilities through an adopted process
utilizing the above objectives, emphasizing community values and character,local and national
history,geography, the environment,civics, and service to the City of Pearland. Satisfying one or
more of the eligibility criteria listed below does not assure approval from the City Council.
The following criteria shall be used in determining the appropriateness of the naming designation:
Environmental Criteria
A park or city facility may be named for a predominant plant material,wildlife stream, river,lakes
and creeks adjacent to or in close proximity to the location.
Geographic Location Criteria
A park, facility or specific amenity may be named for the school on which it is located or street it is
adjacent to.
The geographic location may be based also on the identification of the park or
city facility with a specific place, neighborhood,regional area of the City or the City
itself if the park or facility is deemed to serve the entire community or the surrounding areas.
Historical/Symbolic Criteria
Facilities may be named for a historical place,event or other instance of cultural significance.
Facilities may also be named for local, State and National historical individual, families,
organization or entities who, for historical or symbolic reasons, have contributed to the community.
Nominated individuals shall be limited to those deceased for a minimum of 5 years. When
considering individuals or families under this category, criteria will include their character,service to
the community,leadership and inspiration to others.
Civic Contributions Criteria
Individuals selected within this category can either be living or deceased and should be selected after
many years of service to the community and in consideration of their positive impact on the
development and well-being of the entire community. These decisions should be made objectively,
City Of Pearland,Texas COMMEMORATIVE NAMING POLICY
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without consideration to illness, misfortune or incidents creating emotional responses.
Organizations should be selected according to the same criteria.
Individual/Organization Naming(The following criteria shall be used in evaluating the merit of
each naming request):
• The%of signatures of residents within a 1/2 mile radius for neighborhood parks
• The%of signature of residents within 2 mile radius for community parks
• The individual was a resident of the City of Pearland and/or the Pearland Independent
School District for fifteen(15)years or more.
• The individual must not have been convicted of a felony.
• The person being memorialized died in the line of duty serving the City of Pearland or the
United States of America or died while performing a heroic act(e.g., saving the life of
another person).
• Individual:
The City will obtain and/or attempt to make contact for approval from individual or living
family members of individuals recommended for having a park, facility or specific facility
named in their honor or memory.
• Organization:
Signed letterhead with approval from Board of Directors stating their approval for the
naming of a park, facility or specific facility.
Renaming of parks and city facilities
The City reserves the right to change the name of a park,or city facility to maintain consistency with
these guidelines. However, renaming carries with it a much greater burden of process compared to
initial naming. Tradition and continuity of name and community identification are important
community values. Each request to rename must meet the criteria of this policy, but meeting all
criteria does not ensure renaming.
Plaques, Markers and Memorials:
As a result of approved naming,plaques, markers and memorials that are requested to be located on
City Property or City Facility must be in accordance with City Standards. The location,size,
writing, materials, etc.requires approval by the designated City Staff and should be designed to
blend with/complement the existing Park or Facility.
Naming Procedure:
New Parks or Facilities
1. The City Council may name or rename a City facility without following these guidelines. An
individual council member may submit a naming suggestion to the City Manager, who will
then present the request to the City Council for consideration.
2. Groups or individuals may submit an Application for Naming a Public Facility. All
recommendations will be given the same consideration without regard to the nomination
source.
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3. Staff will review the application for completeness and accuracy and forward all requests to
the City Council. The Pearland City Council is responsible for the FINAL approval.
Existing Facilities
Requests to name an existing Park or City Facility(as defined on page one of this policy)shall be
made by completing the nomination form provided. Staff will review the form for completeness and
forward to the City Council. The decision of the City Council will be FINAL.
References
Application for Naming a Public Facility
Financial Naming Rights Policy
Review&Revision History
Draft 12-14-10
Reviewed by Parks Board 2-3-11
Reviewed by Council April 2011
Revised March 10, 2015
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CITY OF PEARLAND
APPLICATION FOR NAMING A PUBLIC FACILITY
Please type or print clearly in ink and return to:
City Manager's office
Date of Submittal:
Individual or Organization Submitting Application:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Telephone: ( )
Signature of Individual or Organization Representative:
Facility Information
Location:
(Please be specific as to the location of the Specific Amenity you are nominating)
Current Name:
Function of facility:
Proposed Name:
Criteria Category being used:
(Please refer to the Naming of Public Facilities Policy to see the categories and criteria used)
Explanation of why this individual/organization should be considered. This information
will be used by City Staff and/or City Council to determine the basis for their
recommendation and/or decision and will also assist staff in creating the Resolution
acknowledging the official approved name. Use additional paper if necessary.
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Application Withdrawal:
Signature Date
City Staff Review: Yes ❑ No ❑
City Council Action Date: APPROVE ❑ DECLINE ❑
City Of Pearland,Texas COMMEMORATIVE NAMING POLICY
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