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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2015-33 - Establish Parks and Facilities Naming PolicyCITY OF PALM DESERT CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE STAFF REPORT REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A PARKS AND FACILITIES NAMING POLICY FOR THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. SUBMITTED BY: Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst DATE: May 14, 2015 CONTENTS: Draft Resolution No. 2015-33 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Recommendation Waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2015- 33 establishing a Parks and Facilities Naming Policy for the City of Palm Desert. Parks & Recreation Commission Recommendation: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed a naming policy for public parks and facilities at its September 2014 meeting. Staff communicated that the City receives several requests yearly to name or rename certain amenities within our parks or facilities. The Commission suggested a policy allowing submittal of an application and requested that more clarity be given to corporate sponsorships with the addition of a morality clause to allow greater flexibility to the City. Staff presented an amended policy to the Commission in November 2014, which was approved by a 5-1 vote. Commissioner Housken stated that her opposition was not to the naming of parks or facilities, but with the portion dealing with corporate sponsorships. Background Naming rights can be a very useful tool for any city, as financial constraints impact the bottom line. Naming of municipal facilities is often rooted in history, cultural significance, significant persons/donors, or geographic regions. More recent trends in the industry have included the opportunity for corporate sponsorships, but only when they don't result in the over -commercialization of a facility. Staff prepared the attached policy for future requests as they arise. Staff Report Parks and Facilities Naming Policy 2015 May 14, 2015 Page 2 The City Council has never adopted a formal policy related to naming parks or public facilities, which has led to a somewhat unguided approach to naming. Currently there are a handful of facility's that have been named, as well as several smaller amenities (i.e. trees, benches, etc.). Part of the difficulty of any naming policy is formalization of the process. If no formal process was documented, then it becomes very difficult for future staff to know whether or not a tree or bench was appropriately vetted prior to naming. The most recent request for naming rights involved a proposal at the Aquatic Center. Staff's main objective was to create a policy which could be flexible enough to allow our commissioners the chance to review each proposal, leaving final approval in the hands of the City Council. Staff researched many naming policies from other cities throughout the country prior to presenting the draft document to the Parks and Recreation Commission. We believe this will be an effective tool, now and in the future. Strategic Plan Objective Strategic Plan Objectives Number One and Two, speak to preparing financially for the future and remaining innovative within our parks. Staff believes approval of the proposed policy would directly satisfy both of those goals. Fiscal Analysis There is no fiscal impact related to staffs request. Prepared By: Ryan Stendell Senior Management Analyst Wohlmuth, City Manager RESOLUTION NO. 2015- 33 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A PARKS & FACILITIES NAMING POLICY FOR THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 14th day of May 2015, did consider a request by the CITY OF PALM DESERT for approval to establish a Parks and Facilities naming policy, as identified on Exhibit "A; and WHEREAS, said City Council did find the following facts and reasons to exist to approve said request: 1. The City has studied naming policies for parks and governmental facilities in the region and found the proposed policy to be appropriate. The proposed policy balances the desires of the City to provide naming or sponsorship opportunities with the values of the community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of the City Council in this case. 2. That the City Council does hereby establish fees as identified on Exhibit "A" of this resolution. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, held on this 14th day of May 2015, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Susan Marie Weber, Mayor ATTEST: RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA RESOLUTION NO. 2015- 33 EXHIBIT "A" Parks Naming Policy. Naming/Renaming of Parks/Recreational and other City Facilities. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to those who have an interest in naming and/or renaming of the City's parks and/or recreational facilities. The naming or renaming of parks and recreational facilities is complex and sometimes emotionally evocative since assigning a name is a powerful and permanent identity of a public place and/or facility. The naming and renaming of parks and recreational facilities often requires significant resources in terms of changing names on signs, maps, and literature. Renaming of existing parks is discouraged due to excessive/constant name changing can be a source of confusion to the public. Facilities which may be named include buildings, centers, parks, open spaces, or any other recreational facility or amenity observed by the Parks and Recreation Commission and/or City Council. Facilities may be named for: 1. A distinct geographic, environmental or developmental feature. 2. A neighborhood, community, or access street. 3. A name of historical significance of the facility. 4. A reflection of the ethnic diversity of the community. 5. An individual or family who has contributed significantly to the community or the facility. 6. A significant individual donor or corporate entity. Such donations can add considerable value to the City's parks and recreation and therefore will be considered. • Donation requests should not result in the undue commercialization of a park facility or amenity. Naming for Maior Donations: As a guideline, the threshold for considering the naming of a facility will include one or more of the following: 1. Land for the majority of the park was deeded to the City. E RESOLUTION NO. 2015- 33 2. Contribution of a minimum of 50% of the capital expense associated with development of the facility or amenity. 3. Contribution of an endowment equal to a minimum of 20-years of maintenance and repair as calculated by the City. The naming right shall end at the conclusion of the agreed up endowment period. 4. Short term sponsorships and naming opportunities can be considered on a case by case basis utilizing the procedures set forth in this policy. 1. Naming recommendations can be made by submitting a written request to the City Manager's Office. 2. The City Manager and appropriate staff members will review the proposed name to ensure it is consistent with the principles set forth in this policy. 3. The Parks and Recreation Commission will review proposals and make a recommendation to the City Council based on the request. 4. The naming proposal will be presented to the City Council for final review and approval. For naming of facilities that have a significant interest citywide, the Council may appoint a working group of council members, commissioners and/or community members to further review a naming request. Viuldil,. . . • 1 1. The City reserves the right to approve appropriate signage consistent with the City's signage policies. 2. All operations and maintenance of parks and facilities is to remain under the direction of the City and in accordance with our standards. Naming/sponsorships shall not imply any ownership of City facilities. 3. Unless otherwise provided in a naming agreement, City reserves the right to change or delete a naming in its absolute discretion 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROY D NI03E8'�Invwm6era_'2b14 It was noted that the appraisal for this project would be available within a total of five weeks. Chairman Rodriguez would like more Information on this project, with a bit more of an analysis that shows how retail will be good for this project, before the Commission can begin to approve it. Upon a motion from Vice Chair Deborah Hall, second by Chairman Rodriguez and 6-0 vote of the Commission, the Millennium Village Master Plan: Proposed Land Exchange item was continued. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. SPONSORSHiP4,NAMING POLICY Ryan Stendell stated that there were some proposed changes in regards to endowments, and short term policies. As Commissioner Housken stated in the last meeting, there will be a morality clause to that affect. However, Commissioner Housken disagreed with the issue of accepting a corporate donation for changing a name of a park. Upon a motion from Vice Chair Deborah Hall, second by Chairman Rodriguez and 5-1 vote of the Commission, with Commissioner Housken voting No, the Sponsorship / Naming Policy Item was approved as presented. VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. Y BE FIT CHALLENGE The YMCA hosted the event with over 750 people who tumed out for the challenge. The event had great press and publication: it made the newspaper and our local news, overall it was a great success. Rob Ballew was content that the city partnered with the YMCA for this event. The event was well organized from all aspects. B. PARK USE REPORT The host of the Palm Desert Century is going on this upcoming weekend; set up will have registration, ad vendors and bike racks. It will take off this weekend, beautiful route and will be providing sandwiches for the bike riders. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPRO D MINl1TE3 >S��sm60i'x't �2d14 .' Chairman Rodriguez proceeded to ask Mr. Stendell what expansion possibilities he was considering. Ryan stated, maybe adding a smaller pool, more amenities, a lazy river, or possibly a bigger slide, they have all been discussed In the past. Mr. Stendell made it dear that these were simply visualized considerations for expansion. {,;$ ;,ASPONSORSHiP i NAMING POLICY Ryan Stendell presented the Commission with a drafted a copy of sponsorships and naming policy procedures. This policy Is to provide some guidance to those who have interest in naming and or renaming the City's parks or recreational facilities. A copy of the drafted policy will be presented to Council for approval. Commissioner Dawson, Commissioner Thomas, and Rob Ballew were in favor of the drafted naming policy. Mark Greenwood stated that the naming policy should end with an endowment. Commissioner Kelly and Chairman Rodriguez had different opinions regarding sponsorships. Commissioner Housken stated that it is of Importance for there to be some sort of morality cause regarding this topic. Housken also proceeded to ask if it is possible to have a short term naming policy. On another note, Commissioner Kelly mentioned that occasionally individuals, who tend to make large donations, want to micromanage things. However, Mrs. Kelly feels that it is important for something to be put in writing that demonstrates it will continue to be City property, and only managed by the City and City Staff. A large donation doesn't always necessarily mean the donors have any rights to any structure in existence. After everyone's opinions and input on the subject, Ryan Stendell will be providing a revised drafted policy in the next Parks and Rec meeting. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. PICKLEBALL ANALYSIS Ryan Stendell brought up the previous discussion regarding the need for more Pidcleball courts, versus the wait for the north sphere park, which turned the attention to two parks, Civic Center and Freedom Park. Freedom Park was the favored park for converting the two existing courts Into eight Pickleball courts. Civic Center is still highly used by tennis players, and Cahuilla Hilts Park will be converted back to two courts. All parks had been observed throughout the summer and the use at Freedom Park was not as prominent as the Civic Center. Commissioner Dawson stated that this sport is growing nationally, and that It Is easier to expand at one park versus the other. Ryan Stendell stated that expansion at either park would be a difficult task.