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HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-2015-3611 revise city policy for renaming of public streets 2015-3611 ORDINANCE NO. OV t:J"-% AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 "ADMINISTRATION" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, BY REVISING CITY POLICY RELATED TO RENAMING OF PUBLIC STREETS; CONTAINING A REPEALING CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; CONTAINING AN OPEN MEETINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS: Section 1: That Chapter 2, "Administration",Article 1 "In General", Section 2-1 "Policy for naming city facilities", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte,Texas, is hereby amended in its entirety and shall hereinafter read as follows: "Sec.2-1.-Policy for naming city facilities. (a) Purpose. To establish guidelines and procedures for the naming of municipal facilities or donation of a memorial tree with plaque. (b)Procedures. (1) To initiate the naming process, an application should be requested from and returned to the city secretary's office.A set of procedures and guidelines will accompany each application for completion. (2) A standing committee, appointed by council and composed of Councilmembers from the three at- large positions (mayor, position "A," and position "B"), will consider all applications and provide recommendations. (3) The council committee will present their recommendation to the full city council to consider the naming of the city facility or parkland. (4) Generally, municipal facilities will be named immediately prior to or during development of the facilities. (c)Guidelines. (1)In honor of individuals who donate land for park space or donate a major part of the funds required to construct or renovate a facility. A minimum of 50 percent or more of the total funds is necessary to constitute a major portion. (2)Outstanding and/or predominant historical features of significance. Historical features will include the names of early residents or citizens and/or events of significance to the area's development. (3) In honor of deceased local community leaders. Deceased local community leaders must have served in an elected or appointed position of the city. These leaders must have provided outstanding personal service that has resulted in a significant and enduring contribution to the community and have been deceased for a minimum of five years. (4) In honor of deceased national or state leaders. Deceased national or state leaders must have directly impacted the citizens of the city and have been deceased for a minimum of five years. (5) In relation to outstanding and/or predominant geographical characteristics or physical features of the land. such as streams, rivers, plant species, etc. Geographical and physical features will include those naturally occurring. (i.e., vegetation materials, streams, rivers, creeks, lakes or forested areas), and those man-made, (i.e., subdivisions, streets, office/industrial complexes or other commercial areas). (6)In relation to a street or streets adjacent to the facility or parkland. (7)In relation to a subdivision that houses the facility or is adjacent to the parkland. (8)Municipal recreation centers that are a part of or lie within the boundaries of a park shall bear the name of that park unless the park name cannot be incorporated in the facility name. (9)Municipal facilities may be given the same name as a school site,where the sites abut one another. (10) Renaming of a public street. Renaming of a public street shall require the concurrence from a minimum of 75 percent of the property owners abutting the proposed street. Persons and/or groups submitting street names for consideration shall be required to 1) provide a list of signatures of the concurring property owners and 2) defray the cost (at least 60 percent) of installing signs and other expenses(i.e. maps,plats, 911,etc.). Streets in newly platted subdivisions or streets that have not been developed are exempt from this policy. (11) Renaming of a municipal facility. Renaming of municipal facilities may be considered if exceptional circumstances exist, but should not be a common practice. In such circumstances, care must be taken to avoid renaming because the purpose of the prior naming had become obscured over time(and thus eliminate appropriate recognition or honor). (12) Donation of a tree for city park or facility. If more appropriate for the circumstances, a request may be presented to plant a tree in memory of the significant contributor. A small plaque (no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches) will be placed at the foot of the tree with name, date(s), and honored contribution to the community. The plaque must be installed to grade. This memorial shall follow the same recommended guidelines as for naming a facility. (d)Definitions. Civic contribution criteria. Individuals selected within this category shall have been deceased for a minimum of five years and shall have been selected based on many years of service to the community and in consideration of their positive impact on the development and well being of the entire community. These nominations should be made objectively, without consideration to illness, misfortune, or incidents creating emotional responses. Organizations should be nominated according to the same criteria. Facilities. A municipal facility or municipal facilities shall be any real properties that are owned by the city of such as, but not limited to public buildings, parks, streets, or any other city-owned structures or property. Financial benefactor criteria. Individuals (deceased), organizations, or entities nominated under this category shall make, or have made, a significant financial contribution toward a facility. Significant financial contributions will be measured also by the impact a single contribution makes toward the successful conclusion of or continuing operation of the facility to be named. Depending on the impact, the naming could be for the entire facility or some portion(i.e., a room). Historical/symbolic criteria. Facilities may be named for individuals, families, organizations or entities who, for historical or symbolic reasons, have contributed to the community. Nominated individuals shall have been deceased for a minimum of five years. When considering individuals or families under this category, criteria will include their character, service to the community,leadership and inspiration to others." Section 2. Each and every provision, paragraph, sentence and clause of this Ordinance has been separately considered and passed by the City Council of the City of LaPorte, Texas, and each said provision would have been separately passed without any other provision, and if any provision hereof shall be ineffective, invalid or unconstitutional, for any cause, it shall not impair or affect the remaining portion, or any part thereof, but the valid portion shall be in force just as if it had been passed alone. Section 3. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict only. Section 4. The City Council officially finds, determines, recites and declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City Council is posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the city for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required by Chapter 551, Tx. Gov't Code; and that this meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during which this ordinance and the subject matter thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves and confirms such written notice and the contents and posting thereof. Section 5. This Ordinance shall be effective upon its passage and approval. PASSED AND APPROVED this the 9th day of NOVEMBER, 2015. CITY OF LA , ORTE, TEXAS By: Lo is R. Rig ayor ATTEST: r Patrice Fogarty,Ofty SecMary APPROV D: _ Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney