REPORT TO GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Review and Approval on Amendments to Council Policy 035 ("Naming of Facilities") to Proposed Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”)
Report
BACKGROUND
The purpose of Council Policy 035 (“Naming of Facilities”) is to establish the criteria and procedures for the naming of City of Santa Clara (City) facilities. The policy’s objectives are to establish and maintain a system to ensure that decisions on naming opportunities are made in an equitable and consistent manner and that the naming actions maintain alignment with the City’s Mission Statement and Code of Ethics and Values.
The Governance and Ethics Committee was established by Council action on February 5, 2019, to consolidate the Governance Committee, Ethics Committee, and the Facilities Naming and Honorary Recognition Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee focuses on the refinement or establishment of policies and procedures regarding City Council operations and general good government practices, as well as the further implementation of the City’s Code of Ethics & Values program. This Committee is also responsible for reviewing requests for facility naming and honorary recognitions.
The current Council Policy 035 (“Naming of Facilities”) (Attachment 1) was last reviewed by the Governance and Ethics Committee on March 13, 2023, with amendments brought forth by the Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The revised policy was brought forth to the City Council for final review and approved on October 10, 2023, by adopted Resolution No. 23-9270.
In an effort to further define criteria and provide consistent and clear procedures for naming proposals for City streets, parks and other facilities, staff will present proposed amendments to the Governance an Ethics Committee for consideration at the June 2, 2025 meeting.
DISCUSSION
Staff reviewed several naming policies from other cities, including the cities of Alameda, Gilroy, Milpitas, Mountain View, San Jose, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale. As part of the benchmarking process, staff reviewed elements from the various naming policies. Staff proposes the following amended areas to Council Policy 035 as highlighted in yellow in the Proposed Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”) (Attachment 2).
Proposed Amendments to Council Policy 035
The following are proposed amendments to Council Policy 035 for consideration by the Governance and Ethics Committee:
1. Title: Revising title of policy to include the naming and process for City streets to be titled as: Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”).
2. Role of Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC): The proposed policy includes language to include the HLC in the naming process for streets and also for other City facilities. Per the City Charter 2.120.110, the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to historical landmarks, names and renaming of streets, museums and the establishment thereof in the City, and the marking and preservation of historical landmarks and places.
3. Criteria for Commemorative Naming of Streets, Parks, and Facilities: The Policy includes guidelines for naming recognition.
Existing Guidelines in Current Policy:
a. Geographic location, demographic information, or prominent environmental feature(s) of the area that the building/facility is located shall be considered.
b. Individuals living or deceased, who have made outstanding contributions to the City of Santa Clara community or of regional state or international significance.
c. Honoring the important contributions and accomplishments of individuals from underrepresented communities
d. Opportunities to foster a more welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environment as well as to reflect and connect with the City’s diverse community
e. Naming Rights Agreement: Agreements may provide a financial benefit to the City with sponsorships or naming rights agreements for City-owned facilities which aligns with the City’s mission and values.
Additional Proposed amendments for consideration:
f. Consideration of names with common or historical usage (e.g. clusters streets named after U.S. Presidents).
g. The individual/organization must have demonstrated outstanding achievements, contributions, and/or enrichment of the City of Santa Clara community. The contribution of the person being honored must have been extraordinary, significant, and unique, setting this individual apart from others who contributed to the community. This may be evident by documented history of the individual’s contributions or receipt of recognitions and awards.
h. The individual being honored by the dedication or naming has a direct and long-term association with the feature or facility such as:
i. Developer of the designated feature
ii. Donor of the land to the City of Santa Clara
iii. Person who played a large part in protecting the land or feature for public benefit
iv. Person who played a large part in providing community services through the feature or facility
Where applicable, permission will be sought from the honored individual’s surviving family, preferably, next of kin.
i. Donation/Deed of Land/Facility: If negotiated or otherwise required as a condition of property donation or deed, a naming requirement for a park or facility on such land shall be honored, although a geographic or characteristic name is preferred.
j. Names that are similar to existing streets, parks, and facilities or properties in the area should be avoided in order to minimize confusion. The City should avoid changing street names along any continuous alignment.
4. Procedural Amendments: The proposed policy includes the following additional steps to clearly define the process for naming proposals.
a. Approved List of Names for City Facilities, Parks & Streets: The Historical Landmarks Commission already 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, parks and streets. Additional names not on the list may be considered. This list is updated and approved by the City Council on an annual basis or as needed.
b. Number of Options for Names: The process will include all naming proposals to provide at least two and no more than three options for naming recommendations to the Governance and Ethics Committee.
c. 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.
d. Naming of Streets & Other City Facilities:
i. Streets: As a current practice, the Historical and Landmarks Commission makes the final recommendation to the City Council regarding the naming of streets. The process may include a community outreach process via the Historical & Landmarks Commission, that provides the opportunity for public input.
ii. Other 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.
e. 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.
As noted, the Historical and Landmarks Commission will continue to make final recommendations on naming of all streets to the City Council to be considered at a publicly noticed meeting.
f. Unique Instances for Facility Naming: 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 or by written request by City Councilmembers through Council Policy 030 (“Adding an Item to an Agenda”). Nominations in compliance with this policy will be recommended to the City Council to be considered at a publicly noticed meeting.
The updated policy also includes clean up language and corrections.
At the June 2, 2025 Governance and Ethics Committee meeting, staff will present background and proposed amendments to Council Policy 035 for discussion and review. If additional amendments are approved, staff will bring forward the revised policy and a resolution to the full City Council for their consideration and approval.
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 Committee 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 amendments, if any, to Council Policy 035 ("Naming of Facilities") to Proposed Council Policy 035 (“Naming of City Streets, Parks and Other Facilities”) to be brought forth to the City Council for consideration and approval.
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”)