Brantford

objectid

ontario_brantford

format

record

Settlement Name

Brantford

Province, Territory, or State

Ontario

Country

Canada

Has Policy?

Yes

Policy

POLICY STATEMENT: (Purpose/Objective) To provide guidelines, criteria and processes for naming of existing and newly acquired municipally owned property and assets including but not limited to parks, facilities and amenities related to these properties.

RELATED POLICY PROCEDURES/GUIDELINES: Application and Prioritization: This policy establishes the processes and criteria for naming, renaming or dedicating Municipal Assets such as parks, facilities and amenities related to these Municipal Assets, including the methods by which the public may provide suggestions and comments. The main objectives of this policy are:
• To name municipal property, buildings and parks based on one or more of the priorities outlined under General Provisions of this policy.
• To provide guidelines and key criteria for a clear process for naming, renaming or dedication of a Municipal Asset or amenity;
• To provide process for seeking public consultation for naming opportunities;
• To ensure the application of key criteria to determine the validity of the proposed name of a Municipal Asset;
• To provide a process for which individual recognition related to naming of Municipal Assets is permitted such as commemorative benches, trees or plaques; The policy is not intended to address:
• Naming rights/Sponsorship and Donation opportunities (addressed under a separate policy);
• The naming of City-owned facilities leased to commercial tenants; or
• The naming of Core facilities (City Hall, fire halls, police stations, public libraries);
• The naming of streets is not included as this is completed in conjunction with the property developer through the draft plan of subdivision process.

Specific Policy Requirements: General Provisions The naming, renaming and/or dedication of Municipal Assets shall be the responsibility of members of City Council. The intent of naming is for permanent recognition; which shall be defined as such time as when the Municipal Asset is removed, retired or replaced at the sole discretion of the City. The renaming of parks and facilities is strongly discouraged as it significantly impacts numerous individuals, special events, tourism, City Departments and the community. Naming Principles
• Naming of Municipal Assets shall be based on one or more of the following priorities:
• geographical, neighbourhood and historical elements related to the area or street in which the property or building is located to provide a geographical association to help the public to locate a park, bridge, building or other element more easily;
• unique environmental characteristics or attributes; i.e. the most dominant "constant feature either within or nearby" the selected site such as an associated significant ecological or natural resource feature;
• a person or family who has made a significant contribution to the community i.e. an historical name related to Brantford's heritage and/or historical folklore;
• an event or person of international, provincial or national significance;
• a group or community organization who have made a significant contribution to development of a Municipal Asset; and/or sponsorships related to the development and/or enhancement of a property or building.
• Use of a person’s, family or organization’s name requires written consent from the individual, a family member or their descendant; Names shall be unique; name duplication and similar sounding or spelled names shall be avoided.
• Names should give a sense of place, continuity, and belonging and celebrate the distinguishing characteristics and uniqueness of Brantford.
• Names should promote pride in the City of Brantford, acknowledge local heritage, history, and recognize unique features and geography (such as names that relate to local history, places, and events, native wildlife, flora, fauna and natural features or unique characteristics of a neighbourhood or area).
• Names shall not be discriminatory, derogatory or political in nature; names conveying a secondary negative or offensive connotation, any sexual overtones, inappropriate humour, slang or double meanings shall be avoided.
• Names shall assist with emergency response situations by being consistent with street names and geographical locations.
• Names with hyphens, apostrophes or dashes shall be discouraged but may be considered on an individual basis.
• Names may honour the significant contributions of an individual, family, group or organization.
• The cost associated with a naming/renaming (including but not limited to signage, ceremonial costs, legal costs, etc.) will be the responsibility of the City when the naming/renaming has been initiated by the City and will be the responsibility of the community or corporate entity when the naming/renaming has been initiated by the community/corporate entity.
• Names associated with sponsorship will be considered when a donation amount relates to the valuation of the Naming Right for a facility, park or amenity thereof, in accordance with the Corporate Sponsorship and Donation Policy - 038.
• Naming in honour of elected or appointed public officials shall not occur while the individual is a sitting member on City Council and only when a member has served a total of ten or more years on Brantford City Council.
• Naming in honour of staff shall occur post-employment or posthumously.
• Municipal Assets are not intended to include the amenities and/or functions of memorial purposes normally found at cemeteries. Requests related to this type of memorial shall be referred to programs such as Commemorative Bench and Tree Program as outlined below.
• Council shall retain the right not to name certain facilities of broad community importance such as (but not limited to) City Hall. Specific Criteria for Commemorative Naming Where the commemorative naming of a Municipal Asset, is being requested, at least one of the following criteria shall apply:
• The nominated individual shall have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional service to the citizens of the City of Brantford, the Province of Ontario and/or Canada, including veterans of military conflicts;
• The nominated individual shall have an extraordinary community service record;
• The nominated individual shall have worked to foster equality and reduce discrimination or has historical significance;
• A direct relationship or association that existed between the place of residence of or community efforts undertaken by the individual and the property, building or element to be named;
• An individual, family or business may be recognized for a significant financial contribution to a park or facility, where that contribution significantly benefits the community that the park or facility serves. in accordance with the Sponsorship and Donation Corporate Policy 038;
• An individual who has achieved significant personal accomplishments in sports, arts, culture, science, education, business development, etc. which has resulted in positive recognition for the City of Brantford. Where the name of an individual or organization is used, approval in writing shall be obtained from the individual (his/her family) or the organization for such naming where possible. Renaming of Commemoratively Named Assets The names of Municipal Assets named commemoratively should not be changed unless it is found that the individual’s personal character is or was such that the continued use of their name for a Municipal Asset would not be in the best interest of the community. Process The naming process for Municipal Assets may involve a different course of action depending on the circumstances surrounding the request/requirement for naming. A. Naming of a Municipal Asset Public Consultation:
• With each new opportunity to name a Municipal Asset the applicable Ward Councillors shall solicit input with assistance from appropriate staff, from applicable Neighbourhood Associations and/or area school students and shall hold a ward meeting to solicit input from the public.
• Where the Asset is in located in more than one ward, the Ward Councillors shall act jointly with a joint ward meeting being convened for the same purpose. Where an Asset is of corporate wide interest, the appropriate Ward Councillors will hold a ward meeting an invite all members of Council and the whole community to participate in the meeting to solicit naming suggestions.
• The Ward Councillors may choose to consult the list of historic names that is currently compiled by the Planning Department for consideration as part of this process. Selection and Recommendation of a Name:
• Each suggested name shall be reviewed by the Ward Councillors assisted by staff to ensure the criteria as outlined in the Naming Principles Section of this Policy are met. Staff shall assist the Ward Councillors with obtaining written approval from the selected individual, family or business for use of their name where applicable.
• After review of the suggested names, the Ward Councillors shall bring forward a naming recommendation to City Council through the Committee of the Whole – Operations and Administration by way of a resolution.
• Upon Council approval of a recommendation, the individual, family or business shall be notified (where applicable). Renaming Renaming a Municipal Asset is generally discouraged, however, where the need or desire is justified, the renaming process shall be identical to the naming process and also require City Council as the final authority for approval. Limitations The policy is not intended to address:
• Naming rights/Sponsorship opportunities (addressed under a separate policy);
• The naming of city owned facilities leased to commercial tenants; or
• The naming of Core facilities (City Hall, fire halls, police stations and public libraries)
• The naming of City streets.

B. Memorial / Dedication Programs: Memorial / Dedication Bench Program This program allows a family, company, or individual to purchase a park bench to be dedicated to recognize the passing of an individual. Program information regarding benches styles and pricing is available from the Parks and Recreation Department. In each case, a plaque recognizing the individual will be placed on the bench and the bench will be located in an area that is mutually agreeable to the purchaser and the park manager. Neither a ward meeting nor public consultation is required for these programs. Memorial / Dedication Tree Program Memorial trees will be planted in a mutually agreeable location within a park or along a city trail to recognize a person or specific event. A plaque will be installed on a rock or similar structure at the base of the tree. The plaque dimensions are detailed in the tree program information brochure available from Parks staff. The Parks and Recreation Department will make every effort to preserve and protect all dedication plaques and will provide a regular standard of care and maintenance. Dedications and memorial plaques will remain in place until the City determines the need to removed, retired or replace said Asset. The plaque and bench may be re-located at the sole discretion of the City if deemed necessary by the Manager of Park Services for safety or operational requirements. The plaque or bench may or may not be repaired or replaced due to damages caused by vandalism or natural aging. The bench may be removed by the City without notice for reasons of public safety or vandalism. Memorial / Dedication Plaques A plaque may be installed in a City park or other facility dedicated to an individual or significant event. The size and placement of these plaques shall be reviewed and approved by City staff. Plaques may be installed to recognize the following:
• a financial contribution to the City (per Corporate Sponsorship Policy038);
• an event of historical significance;
• local or special events;
• a geographic location;
• environmental recognition;
• a room or specific area of a facility or City park. Placing of Plaque(s) on Municipal Buildings Approval must be obtained from City Council before any plaque is placed on a Municipally owned building. Staff will approve the design and naming of the plaque prior to Council approval. In the event that a major project such as construction of a significant municipal building is commenced during the term of one Council and completed during the term of a subsequent Council, consideration can be given to including the names of those responsible for commencing the project and those responsible for its completion.

Contact Info

clerks@brantford.ca

Policy Score

61