San Leandro Municipal Code Ch. 10 Naming/Renaming Facilities

It is in the public interest to officially name certain City properties and facilities in order to identify them for the public and to celebrate those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the City. This policy recognizes that requests for naming or renaming of facilities most often occur after the death of a prominent citizen. However, similar recognition may be given in the case of a living prominent citizen whose accomplishments and contributions to the community clearly demonstrate a commitment over and beyond what would be normally associated with the performance of their work.

This policy applies to certain City properties or facilities such as City buildings; structures, parks, public rights-of-way, recreation areas, or other tangible assets, except properties donated to the City upon condition that a certain name be used. This policy also applies to the naming and/or renaming of individual rooms in City facilities and the renaming of City streets, but not the naming of a City street which is the responsibility of the developer.

While it is the policy of the City to continue to use existing names for City properties, should the City Council so direct by motion, the Rules and Communications Committee shall review the requested name change for dispersal to the appropriate Board or Commission for further review and report its decision to Council. The following criteria shall be used:

(a) In the case of an individual who is deceased, the individual for whom a facility is to be named must be deceased at least 180 days.

(b) The individual for whom a facility is to be named (or renamed) must have been one of the following:

(1) Long-term resident of the community or owner of a business in the community who has made significant, notable, and tangible contributions to the facility or property in question or to the San Leandro community at large.

(2) Elected official or employee of the City whose accomplishments and contributions to the community clearly demonstrate a commitment over and beyond that which would otherwise be normally associated with the performance of their work.

(c) There must be a well-defined connection between the contributions of the individual and the property or facility.

(d) In the case of a request involves renaming a facility, the next of kin of the individual for whom the facility is currently named (provided that the person was a local resident) should be notified of the proposed change and given an opportunity for input before the City Council acts upon the request.

The Council, upon report and recommendation of the recommending body, shall take such action as it deems appropriate, including hearing any appeals that may be presented. The Council may also refer the recommendations back to a City Board or Commission for further discussion and review.

(Resolution No. 2008-128, 10/20/2008 [§1.10.110]; Resolution No. 2002-12, 01/22/2002 [§§1.10.100-1.10.115]; Resolution No. 98-164, 12/21/1998 [§§1.10.100-1.10.115])