3.14.040 Naming Standards.
(1) Applicability. The provisions set forth in this Section apply to the naming of any City asset, including, but not limited to, the opening of a new or refurbished City asset; honoring an individual, group, or organization; recognizing a gift, donation, sponsorship, joint venture/partnership, or significant contribution to the City or the general public; or improvements to existing City assets.
(2) General Provisions. The following provisions shall apply to the selection of any name associated with a sponsorship, City recognition, or a tribute or memorial:
(a) Consent. When a City asset is proposed to be named for an individual, before consideration of the proposal, consent shall be obtained from such individual or, if such individual is deceased, the individual’s next of kin.
(b) Neighborhood District Executive Board Chair Recommendation. When a direct relationship or association exists between a group or an individual’s former place of residence and an asset to be named, the Mayor may consult with the Executive Board Chair for the Neighborhood District and receive the Executive Board Chair’s recommendation.
(c) Prohibited Names. Unless otherwise determined by the City, in its sole discretion, no name shall be chosen that:
(i) causes confusion due to duplication of, or similarity to, an existing name within Provo City;
(ii) is the name of an entity associated with tobacco, alcohol, obscenity or a sexually oriented business, place or practice;
(iii) may have an inappropriate acronym, short form, or modification;
(iv) is discriminatory, derogatory or otherwise creates controversy within the City, as determined by the Mayor or Municipal Council;
(v) is complex, unduly long, difficult to spell or pronounce; or
(vi) recognizes a single individual for a contribution similar or identical to a contribution made by others within a particular group associated with that individual.
(d) Asset Name Rejection. The City, in its sole discretion, may reject any proposed asset donation or any proposed name for a new or existing City asset.
(3) Sponsorships and City Recognitions. The following provisions shall apply to the selection of any name associated with sponsorship or City recognition:
(a) Context. The selected name should:
(i) have a longstanding or unusually significant identification with the City or its residents; or
(ii) be consistent with the character and public value of the asset; the financial sponsorship categories, as may be established by the Mayor; specific geographical locations; or any other applicable City requirement.
(b) Personal and Organization Names. The name of an individual or an organization shall be considered only when such individual or organization has made a significant contribution to the City by:
(i) enhancing the quality of life and well-being of the City;
(ii) contributing to the historical, cultural, or societal preservation of the community;
(iii) contributing a significant portion of project costs used for acquisition, development, or conveyance of land or construction or renovation of a City building; or
(iv) achieving personal or organizational excellence that represents Provo City in a positive manner.
(c) Public Gifts. When selecting a name connected with a sponsorship, the following additional factors shall be considered:
(i) The dollar value of the contribution compared to the construction and ongoing operating and maintenance costs of the City asset to be named;
(ii) Any financial sponsorship categories, as may be established by the City, to recognize different contribution amounts;
(iii) The cost of establishing the naming; and
(iv) In the case of a donated asset, projected ongoing operating and maintenance costs.
(4) Tributes and Memorials. The following provisions shall apply to the selection of any name associated with a tribute or memorial:
(a) Quality. An asset donated to the City shall conform to applicable City standards including, but not limited to, design, durability, location, and applicable safety considerations. The City, in its sole discretion, may reject an offer to donate an asset that does not meet City standards.
(b) Maintenance. An asset donated to the City that is unique and not within any asset class ordinarily purchased and maintained by the City shall be maintained by the donor unless otherwise provided in an asset naming agreement. The City will not consider for approval tributes and memorials which will impose a significant financial burden on the City to maintain.
(c) Content. It is in the City’s discretion to approve or reject the design, size, material, text, and graphics to be used for tributes and memorials and to approve species of memorial trees. Any written content on a City asset is subject to review and may be rejected if it:
(i) is discriminatory, derogatory, or may otherwise create controversy, as determined by the Mayor or Municipal Council; or
(ii) contains statements of religious principles or scriptural verses unless such principles or verses are unavoidably entwined with an otherwise historically significant event or person proposed to be honored.
(d) Ownership. Unless otherwise agreed to in advance and in writing, all donated property of whatever kind becomes and remains City property. The City assumes no liability for the loss, damage and/or replacement of City assets.