REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Recommendation from the Governance and Ethics Committee for Approval of Proposed Amendments to Council Policy 035 (‘Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”)
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara currently has an existing Council Policy 035 (“Naming of Facilities”) (Attachment 1), which establishes the criteria and procedures for naming City facilities to ensure naming decisions are made equitably and consistently. However, the existing policy does not address the guidelines and procedures for the naming of parks, recreation facilities, or streets.
The naming of parks and recreation facilities has a separate procedure. Under this process, the Parks and Recreation Department submits naming recommendations for new parks and recreation facilities to the Parks and Recreation Commission, which serves in an advisory role to the City Council. The Commission then forwards its recommendations to the Governance and Ethics Committee and ultimately to the City Council for final approval.
Similarly, the naming of streets is managed through a separate process overseen by the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC). The HLC acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to historical landmarks, including the naming and renaming of streets, museums, and the establishment thereof in the City, and the marking and preservation of historical landmarks and places. The HLC makes a recommendation directly to the City Council.
To enhance clarity and consistency in the naming of all City facilities including parks and streets, staff reviewed Council Policy 035 and developed proposed amendments to the Council Policy. These revisions were presented to the Governance and Ethics Committee on June 2, 2025.
At the June 2, 2025 Governance and Ethics Committee meeting, the Committee reviewed the proposed changes to Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”) (Attachment 2), including updates to the street naming process overseen by the HLC. After a robust discussion on Council Policy 035, the Governance and Ethics Committee approved the amendments for consideration by the City Council.
At the Historical and Landmarks Commission meeting on June 5, 2025, staff summarized the Governance and Ethics Committee’s recommended changes to Council Policy 035, including updates to the street naming procedures. The Commission members did not provide any additional comments. Staff informed the HLC this item would be presented to City Council for final consideration and approval.
DISCUSSION
To ensure a consistent and equitable approach to naming City facilities including parks and streets, staff proposed revisions to Council Policy 035, retitled “Naming of City Streets, Parks, and Other Facilities.” The intent of the revisions is to consolidate and standardize the currently separate processes for naming City facilities, including parks and streets.
At its meeting on June 2, 2025, the Governance and Ethics Committee reviewed the proposed amendments. Staff presented an overview of the existing procedures, highlighting the variations in how naming recommendations are currently handled by the Parks and Recreation Commission for parks and recreation facilities, and the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) for City streets.
After discussion, the Governance and Ethics Committee approved the revised policy with some modifications. The revisions expand the policy to include streets and parks, in addition to City facilities; to establish consistent criteria for commemorative naming of all facilities; and streamline the review and recommendation process for clarity and uniformity.
The approval included the renaming of the policy; revisions to the criteria for commemorative naming of streets, parks & other facilities; and procedural amendments.
Proposed Amendments to Council Policy 035
The following is a summary of the proposed recommendations approved by the Governance and Ethics Committee. The proposed updated policy also includes clean-up language and corrections. The proposed amendments to Council Policy 035 are highlighted in Attachment 2 of this report.
a) Title: Revise title of policy to: Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”).
b) Criteria for Commemorative Naming of Streets, Parks, and Facilities:
The City Council shall have the sole and final authority to approve names of City streets, parks, and other facilities. The naming of Santa Clara streets, parks and other facilities will be determined with consideration of one or more of the following criteria.
The existing guidelines in the policy are also listed below for naming recognition. The additional proposed amendments for the criteria are bolded and italicized below.
1. Geographic location, demographic information, or prominent environmental feature(s) of the area where the building/facility is located shall be considered.
2. Consideration of names with common or historical usage.
3. Individuals living or deceased, who have made outstanding contributions to the City of Santa Clara community or of regional state or international significance.
4. The contribution of the individual/organization being honored must have demonstrated outstanding achievements, contributions, and/or enrichment of the City of Santa Clara community. The contribution of the person/organization being honored must have extraordinary, significant, and unique, setting this individual/organization apart from others who contributed to the community. This may be evident by documented history of the individual’s/organization’s contributions or receipt of recognitions and awards.
5. The individual being honored by the dedication or naming had a direct and long- term association with the feature or facility such as:
a) Developer of the designated feature
b) Donor of the land to the City of Santa Clara
c) Person who played a large part in protecting the land or feature for public benefit
d) Person who played a large part in providing community services through the feature or facility
e) Where applicable, permission will be sought from the honored individual’s surviving family, preferably, next of kin.
6. Honoring the important contributions and accomplishments of individuals from underrepresented communities.
7. Opportunities to foster a more welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environment as well as to reflect and connect with the City’s diverse community
8. The Committee has proposed to not include this amendment as it is already addressed as a current process subject to City Council approval on donation policies.
i. If negotiated or otherwise required as a condition of property donation or deed, a naming requirement for a park or facility on such property shall be honored, although a geographic or characteristic name is preferred.
9. Names that are similar to existing streets, parks, and facilities or properties in the area should be avoided in order to minimize confusion.
10. The City should avoid changing street names along any continuous alignment.
c) Procedural Amendments: The proposed policy includes the following additional amendments to further outline the process for naming proposals.
1. Approved List of Names for City Facilities, Parks & Streets: The Historical Landmarks Commission maintains a list of approved names for streets. The proposed amendment would allow the list to be used for consideration of naming proposals for City facilities and parks as well. This list is updated and approved by the City Council on an annual basis or as needed. The list is not intended to be exclusive, so additional names not on the list may also be considered.
2. Naming of new parks and recreation facilities: The Parks and Recreation Commission will make the initial recommendation to the Governance and Ethics Committee regarding parks and recreation facilities. This process may include a community outreach process via the Parks & Recreation Commission to provide the public an opportunity for input. At least two and no more than three naming recommendations will be presented.
3. Naming of Streets & Other City Facilities: The Historical and Landmarks Commission will make the initial recommendation to the Governance and Ethics Committee regarding the naming of other (non-Parks & Recreation) facilities. The process may include a community outreach process via the Historical & Landmarks Commission, that provides the opportunity for public input. At least two and no more than three naming recommendations will be presented.
4. Role of Governance and Ethics Committee: After considering any recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Commission or the Historical and Landmarks Commission, the Governance and Ethics Committee will make final recommendation(s) on naming of all City parks/recreation and other City facilities to the City Council to be considered at a publicly noticed meeting.
5. Exceptions for Unique Instances for Naming:
i. Expedited Situations: Under circumstances, where an expedited naming process is necessary or appropriate, nominations may be proposed by City staff or members of the public for City parks, facilities, or streets to the City Manager’s Office for consideration and approval by the City Manager.
ii. Other Areas Within Facilities: For the naming of areas within City facilities which are primarily used by City employees (e.g. conference rooms, break rooms), the City Manager has the discretion for naming these areas based on special and unique circumstances (e.g. honoring employees). Areas within City facilities that are primarily forward facing (e.g., community rooms) shall follow the process for the naming of facilities generally. In addition, if there are furniture or equipment (e.g. bookshelf), the City department has the discretion for naming these items.
iii. Council Policy 030: A written request by City Councilmembers through Council Policy 030 (“Adding an Item to an Agenda”) may be submitted. Nominations in compliance with this policy will be recommended to the City Council to be considered at a publicly noticed meeting.
At the September 16, 2025 City Council meeting, staff presents the above proposed amendments to Council Policy 035 for City Council consideration and approval by Resolution (Attachment 3).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the approval of the recommendation.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated by the City Manager’s Office, Parks & Recreation Department, Community Development Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve Recommendations from the Governance and Ethics Committee to Amend Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”)
Staff
Reviewed by: Maria Le, Assistant to the City Manager, City Manager’s Office
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Current Council Policy 035 ("Naming of Facilities")
2. Proposed Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”)
3. Resolution