The Park, Recreation & Community Commission Meeting Agenda for Wednesday includes the new business Naming of Neighborhood Parks and Recreational Chart and Assignments while discussing the old business of the Teen Program Update and Water Park Funding Update.
The meeting will be held at City Hall on April 8, 2009 at 7pm. The public is welcome to attend and participate.Recreation
Staff has planned comments on the letter to corporations to offset City of Turlock costs, Recreation budget status and more.
As the Abe Rojas Ballfield was just dedicated and a new BMX Bike Park will be built soon, naming city facilities have been creating some interest. The projected 2011 Miracle League Field will be located at future Snider Park; there were naming issues associated with the decision in late 2008.
The Park, Recreation & Community Commission will review policy and procedure documents that will be used in the City facilities naming process. These are the documents being considered:
City of Turlock Naming of City Facilities Policy and Procedure
Purpose:
To define the policies, responsibilities and procedures associated with the naming of future City facilities. This policy will not pertain to existing facilities or facilities currently being constructed.
Background:
The City of Turlock has lacked of a uniform policy to assist the City Council and guide staff in the naming of City Facilities, including buildings, support facilities, park sites and recreation facilities. Thus far four (4) facilities have been named after noted community individuals. First was Donnelly Park after the late State Senator Hugh P. Donnelly; Second was the Pedretti Park Sports Complex after the late Turlock High School teacher/coach Ezio Atch Pedretti, and thirdly was the Rube Boesch Center after the late City of Turlock Public Works Director/former Lyons Club member, and lastly was Christoffersen Park after the late former Mayor Enoch Christoffersen. Additional facilities were named after a noted community family (i.e., Crane Park, Gallison Parkway), specific street location or sponsoring organization.
The development of a Policy/Procedure to guide the naming of City facilities is intended to enable the process to be applied in an equitable, objective and consistent manner.
Policy:
1. General
The Policy of the City is to name facilities in a manner that will provide an easy and recognizable reference for the City’s customers. Naming options will always include using a name based on the facilities geographic location. However, this policy establishes conditions for the consideration of naming facilities based on other factors.
2. Geographic Location
Whenever possible, all City facilities will be named for their geographic location. The geographic location may be based on the identification of the facility with a specific place, neighborhood, major street, regional area of the City/or the City itself if the facility is deemed to serve the entire community or county.
3. Other Considerations
Consideration of names for facilities may also include a prominent form of topography, prominent bush or tree and historical precedent.
4. Individual/Organizational Recognition
The naming of the City facilities in honor of individuals or community organizations may be considered under the following conditions. The individual, their family or a community organization has made exceptional contributions to the city, including one or more of the following: a) financial gifts; b) public service as an elected official; c) public service as a community volunteer; and d) long term sponsorship agreements.
There should be a well-defined connection between with the contributions of the individual or community organization and the city facility.
The significance of the contribution form the individual/organization needs to be evaluated in terms of the service impact of the City facilities. Individuals and organizations that have made contributions of regional or community wide significance may be considered for naming of facilities that serve the region/community. Individuals and organizations that have made contributions of a particular area or neighborhood wide significance may be considered for the naming of facilities that serve areas or neighborhoods within the city, including recreational and other amenities within city parks.
Procedure
A. At least 180 days prior to opening a new city facility, City Council shall direct the Park, Recreation & Community Commission to review and make recommendations on the naming of the City facility. The commission will use this policy in recommending a name for the site or facility. The commission should solicit ideas and suggestions from the community.
B. Groups or individuals may submit recommendations for a name in writing (Exhibit A).
Recommendations may also come from other City boards and or commissions. All recommendations will be given the same consideration without regard to the nomination source.
C. The Park, Recreation & Community Commission will make recommendations to the City Council. (The City Council is responsible for the final approval of the proposed name.)
D. Each facility will be named by a separate nomination process and will be evaluated by the commission.
E. The FINAL decision on naming of facilities rests with the Turlock City Council.
