City of Monroe considering naming policy for streets, parks
Monroe City Council will consider adopting a naming policy -- for such things as streets and parks -- at its June 20 meeting.
Council reviewed a draft version of the policy during its work session Monday. While this draft will not be made available to the public until the June 20 meeting, Monroe Mayor Robert Clark covered some of what he called the highlights of the document during Monday's discussion.
Clark has been working with council members Kellie Vining and Andrew Felder, along with Clerk/Treasurer Michelle LaVoy and Communications Director Jody Egen in developing the naming policy. Council has been discussing such a policy for the past couple of years as they have faced several requests from individuals and groups in the community looking to honor those who have made significant contributions to the city.
"We've been through this numerous times, on different versions, doing research on what might be working elsewhere and what (we'd like) to change," Clark said. "Tonight's the opportunity to review..."
If approved by council, the policy would establish an online application process for naming requests that would be similar to what already exists for those looking to host events or other activities in the city. The application would first be reviewed by the city's administration to determine the logistical aspects of the request. It would then go before the city's ethics committee, which would decide whether or not to submit a recommendation to city council for a final vote on the proposed name change.
Clark said that, if a naming request is denied, the policy dictates that the same request would not be considered again by the city for at least a year.
"We don't want to entertain the same thing a month later," he explained. "There should be a waiting period (to re-submit), because they're either not prepared or something is not being submitted correctly. We thought a one-year period was a good (amount of time)."
Clark said the policy also includes language that says the awarding of naming rights to city property cannot in any way restrict the use of that property. In addition, no name changes that reference drugs, alcohol or tobacco will be considered.
Per the policy, name changes will also have to be reviewed and re-approved by council every 25 years.
"At that point (the name) is either removed or left in place, at council discretion, through a majority vote," Clark said. "This way there's a formal step."
Both Vining and Felder said they were pleased with the final draft of the policy that council reviewed Monday.
"We really went over this, and drafted and re-drafted it several times," Vining said. "...I like this policy because then it takes it out of our individual hands and puts it in the resident, or the person making the request, based on how they present their application, the information they present. Then it goes through the clerk's office and the proper vetting, instead of just one council person making that request (to the rest of the council)."
"I think that it was a very thorough review," Felder added. "I think I can say that rather safely. We worked really hard to not have this influenced by any perspective, or any particular issue, any particular individuals that may be involved. Rather it's a structure that would be in place long after all of us are gone on what kind of policy we'd like to put forth and have remain in place for decades to come.
"I'm really proud of the work that we did."
Council as a whole seemed receptive to the draft policy, with no objections to any of the highlights mentioned by Clark.
"If we really don't have anything etched in stone now, I think this is the time to do it," said Councilman Brian Lamour. "It seems like it's really well thought out... Let's take that step forward, and let's get it done."
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: City of Monroe considering naming policy for streets, parks
