HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2510-5296CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Monday, November 03, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
4:30 PM
Agenda Item
9.Adoption of a Resolution Approving The Palo Alto Museum‘s Facility Naming Plan for the
Roth Building; CEQA status – not a project.
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Administrative Services
Meeting Date: November 3, 2025
Report #:2510-5296
TITLE
Adoption of a Resolution Approving The Palo Alto Museum‘s Facility Naming Plan for the Roth
Building; CEQA status – not a project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt a Resolution approving the proposed Naming and
Recognition Plan for the Roth Building as proposed by the Palo Alto Museum (Attachment A)
informed by staff review for compliance with appropriate policies and procedures.
BACKGROUND
The City’s Policy and Procedure 1-15, Naming City-Owned Land and Facilities, Section 3,
(Attachment B), authorizes naming recognition for significant donations to capital fundraising
campaigns. Staff recommends that the Council adopt the attached Naming and Recognition
Plan developed by the Palo Alto Museum to support the capital fundraising effort for the Palo
Alto Museum at the City-owned Roth Building facility.
In 2022 Council approved a lease with the Palo Alto Museum (Museum) for the Roth Building
facility1. Under the terms of lease, the Museum completed a $13 million renovation of the Roth
Building in February 2025 with funding coming from sources including the City’s General Fund
(including sale proceeds from the transfer of development rights), impact fees, federal and
county grants, museum generated private donations, and other museum funds. As a term of
the lease the Museum is obligated to open to the public in February 2026. To support the
buildout of the museum exhibits and spaces within the Roth Building, the Museum is proposing
a naming plan to encourage fundraising.
1 Staff Report 15017 12/12/2022 Approval of Lease and License of 300 Homer Ave. Roth Building between the City
of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Museum; https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82171
For reference and background, a naming plan was approved for the Jr. Museum and Zoo in
20173.
ANALYSIS
3 Staff Report 7810, 3/6/2017, Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Facility Naming Plan for the Junior Museum
and Zoo; http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=56118
This process aligns with the Jr. Museum and Zoo process, except for prior commitments as
noted above.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no resource impact for approving the naming and recognition plan for the Roth
Building and Palo Alto Museum. The naming and recognition plan is intended to support the
financial needs of the Palo Alto Museum.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Staff has worked closely with leaders of the Palo Alto Museum to prepare for and bring this
naming plan to Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The recommendation in this report does not constitute a project requiring review under
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution Naming and Recognition Plan for the Roth Building and Palo Alto
Museum, including Naming Plan for the Palo Alto Museum at the Roth Building
Attachment B: City Policy 1-15 Naming of City Owned Land and Facilities
APPROVED BY:
Lauren Lai, Administrative Services Director
NOT YET ADOPTED Attachment A
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145_20251017_ts 24
Resolution No.
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving the Palo
Alto Museum’s Donor Recognition and Naming Framework for the
City’s Roth Building
R E C I T A L S
A. The City’s Roth Building is leased to the Palo Alto Museum (“Museum”).
B. The City’s “Naming City-Owned Land and Facilities” policy (“Policy”) guides the
naming of City facilities and portions of them.
C. The City and the Museum wish to express appreciation and recognize donors
who have made significant gifts to the Museum’s fundraising campaign as detailed in the
attached Palo Alto Museum Donor Recognition and Naming Framework.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The attached Palo Alto Museum Donor Recognition and Naming
Framework for the new Palo Alto Museum (Exhibit A) is approved, subject to Council action for
any future approvals as may be required under the Policy.
SECTION 2. CEQA. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not
meet the definition of a project under Public Resources Code Section 21065, thus, no
environmental assessment under the California Environmental Quality Act is required.
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NOT YET ADOPTED Attachment A
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145_20251017_ts 24
SECTION 3. Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect immediately on its
passage.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: November 3, 2025
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Attorney or Designee City Manager
_____________________________
Director of Administrative Services
To: Palo Alto City Council
From: Palo Alto Museum CEO & President and Board of Directors
Date: October 13, 2025
Subject: Request for Council Approval of the Palo Alto Museum Donor Recognition
and Naming Framework
The Palo Alto Museum (formerly the Palo Alto History Museum) is an independent nonprofit
partner of the City of Palo Alto. It is scheduled to open in February 2026 in the fully restored
Roth Building at 300 Homer Avenue, a City-owned landmark listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. The rehabilitation of this historic structure and a new life as a museum
establishes it as a cornerstone of Palo Alto’s cultural and civic life.
The Museum is where history, community, and innovation meet—linking past legacies, today’s
conversations, and future possibilities. It will celebrate the people and ideas that shaped Palo
Alto, connecting local stories to global impact through exhibits, programs, education, and
partnerships. Dedicated to preserving and sharing Palo Alto’s legacy of innovation, civic
leadership, and creativity, the Museum will serve as a welcoming gathering place for residents,
students, and visitors—a dynamic hub for connection, learning, and inspiration.
Originally built in 1932 as the Palo Alto Medical Clinic and designed by noted architect Birge M.
Clark, the Roth Building remains one of the City’s architectural treasures. After years of
collaboration, the City and Museum completed a comprehensive restoration that preserved its
historic character while upgrading the facility to meet modern seismic, accessibility, and
sustainability standards. The reimagined interior now supports a range of community activities
–discovery, learning, and gathering–within a flexible, energy-efficient space that honors the past
and will serve the public in new and dynamic ways for generations to come.
The Museum reflects a two-decade public–private partnership between the City and an
independent nonprofit organization. That partnership has resulted in the rehabilitated Roth
Building as a public asset, while the Museum’s board and supporters led private fundraising and
program planning to bring it to life as a vibrant community institution.
Unlike the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo which is City operated, funded and staffed, the Palo
Alto Museum operates independently under a 40-year renewable lease and is solely
responsible for raising and managing all funds for exhibitions, programs, and operations.
1
Exhibit A
Fundraising for the Roth Building renovation and Museum build-out began in the early 2000s,
well before the City adopted its updated 2008 Naming Policy and Procedures. From the outset,
naming opportunities for rooms and features within the building were offered to encourage major
contributions toward restoration. Throughout this process, the Museum Board has consistently
committed to retaining the Roth Building name in accordance with the City’s policy.
Although the City’s revised naming policy was adopted in 2008–requiring City Manager and
Council approval for naming individual rooms or sub-sites– the new procedures were not
communicated to the Museum until October 2024. By that time, naming commitments for 11
spaces or features, 2 trees, 7 benches, and numerous commemorative bricks had already been
secured from donors whose generosity helped make the project possible.
The following table summarizes the building spaces or features and donors as of October 2025:
Palo Alto Museum Naming Framework to Date (As of October 2025)
Named
(Total $1.75M)
Interior Spaces or
Building Features
First and Second Floors (11)
Gloria Brown
Beth Bunnenberg
Birge Clark Family
Chinese Community
In honor of Gary Fazzino
Pitch & Cathie Johnson
Ralphy Libby
Mario Family
Nancy Mueller
Deborah & Peter Wexler
Lanie & Dave Wheeler
Exterior Spaces 0
Exterior Trees Courtyard Trees (2)
Deborah & Peter Wexler
Exterior Benches 7
Exterior Bricks More than 100
The following maps show the Museum’s named and available spaces (as of October 2025):
2
Exhibit A
3
Exhibit A
The Museum remains committed to honoring all existing donor recognitions while maintaining
the Roth Building name in full alignment with City policy. There are clear and practical reasons
for continuing to recognize these early commitments and to preserve naming as a vital
fundraising tool.
The 2008 City naming policy was adopted after the Museum’s early naming opportunities had
already been offered and secured. The Museum was not informed of the revised process until
2024, well after many of these commitments were in place.
As a privately operated nonprofit that leases and manages the City-owned Roth Building, the
Museum depends on private philanthropy rather than City funding. Naming opportunities were–
and continue to be–an essential component of this public–private partnership, providing
philanthropic resources needed to complete restoration, open the Museum, hire and support
staff, and sustain operations. Upholding these commitments also protects donor trust and
reinforces confidence in future fundraising.
As the Museum prepares for its opening in February 2026, naming opportunities continue to
play a key role in attracting major donors, meeting financial goals, and building a strong
foundation for long-term success. Ongoing fundraising is essential to offset operating costs,
protect and enhance the City’s investment in the historic Roth Building, hire and support staff,
and provide public educational and cultural programming.
Going forward, new naming and recognition opportunities will follow this proposed framework.
All existing and future recognition will preserve the Roth Building name, fully consistent with City
policy. Naming of building spaces and features will apply only to Museum-managed spaces and
will be clearly defined as limited within the Museum’s lease period. Should the Museum ever
relocate or cease operations, all donor naming commitments would conclude. This approach
provides clarity and accountability, aligns with City policy, and continues a partnership model
that leverages private philanthropy for public benefit.
The following table provides a summary of current and prospective naming opportunities within
the Museum. These spaces—representing more than $9 million in potential philanthropic
support—reflect both the Museum’s fundraising priorities and its commitment to transparency
and public stewardship. The list may evolve as design, programming, and donor interest further
develop.
Palo Alto Museum Naming Framework - Going Forward (As of October 2025)
4
Exhibit A
As the Museum’s opening approaches in Spring 2026, new recognition opportunities will play a
vital role in fundraising for exhibitions, public and educational programs, staffing, and
operations. Through this shared public-private effort, the Palo Alto Museum will preserve a
treasured civic landmark, strengthen community, and celebrate the enduring spirit of innovation,
creativity, and belonging that defines Palo Alto.
The Museum deeply values its partnership with the City of Palo Alto and remains committed to
honoring City policies while advancing a shared vision for a vibrant cultural center in the heart of
our community. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the City Council and staff to
ensure the Palo Alto Museum opens successfully and thrives as a lasting source of civic pride,
community connection, discovery and learning, and inspiration for generations to come.
5
Exhibit A
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 1 of 8
NAMING CITY-OWNED LAND AND FACILITIES
POLICY STATEMENT
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that City-owned land and facilities, when named for
individuals, are persons who have made significant contributions or performed services deemed
to have been of major importance to the community.
This policy establishes uniform procedures for the naming of City-owned land and facilities as
set forth by Council Resolution No. 6211, approved on December 12, 1983, and revised by
Council on April 12, 2004. The policy is applicable to new and existing City-owned land and
facilities.
The policy provides a mechanism for citizens to suggest names which they believe should be
considered for new City facilities or land acquisitions and for the renaming of existing facilities
and lands. The policy also establishes criteria which will guide the Historical Association and the
appropriate City Commission or Committee in recommending names to the Council for
approval.
Naming and renaming City-owned land and facilities shall be the responsibility of the City
Council. However, places within City-owned land or facilities, such as a room or patio within a
building or a trail or athletic field within a park, which do not require formal dedication by the
City Council, may be named by the City Manager or his/her designee, subject to final approval
by the City Council via the consent calendar.
This process does not apply to the naming of streets which will continue to be processed through
the Planning and Community Environment Department (Policy and Procedure 1-16: Naming of
City Streets). The naming of a street may be considered an appropriate alternative means of
honoring an individual.
The City Council has determined that significant individual, family or foundation contributions
to the construction/renovation of City facilities can be recognized through the naming of said
facilities after these groups. This document outlines the procedure to be followed when a fund-
raising group or board, with the approval of the City Council, embarks upon a capital campaign
for the purpose of securing private funds for the acquisition of land, renovation/expansion of an
existing building, or the construction of a new facility, and wishes to offer naming opportunities
in recognition of significant donations of money or land. The City Council has determined that
significant contributions from corporations or corporate foundations to capital campaigns will
not be accepted in exchange for the ability to name entire facilities in recognition of these
corporate entities. However, the City Council has agreed to allow naming recognition of
corporate or commercial entities in facility interiors or on sub-facilities as described in this
policy.
Business logos associated with any benefactor seeking naming rights shall not be allowed on any
City owned land, facility, building or sub-facility under this policy.
Attachment B
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 2 of 8
The City may remove any business name from a City facility or property if the business declares
bankruptcy and goes out of business. The City may remove any individual name from a City
facility or property if the person is convicted of a felony or other crime of moral turpitude. If a
name is removed under this provision, the City shall not be required to return the donation.
SECTION 1: PROCEDURE FOR NAMING NEW FACILITIES OR CITY-OWNED
LANDS
In cases involving a major capital fundraising campaign, there will be a separate and different
procedure from the one outlined below. Section 3 below on “Naming Recognition for Capital
Campaigns” further outlines this process.
A. Responsibility of the Project Manager
Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the department in which the project to be
named is managed. In the instance of a new City-owned land or facility, the project manager
should incorporate the process for naming into the project schedule so the naming is
accomplished in a timely manner.
1. Requests concerning a name to be given to the City-owned land or facility shall be
made in writing on an approved suggestion form to the City Clerk.
a. The project manager should alert the City Clerk when to expect the submission
of names and the anticipated time frame for the naming process.
b. The project manager may submit suggested names on an approved suggestion
form on behalf of staff or citizens who have been involved in the project
development.
c. In some instances, it may be appropriate to actively solicit suggestions and, in
those cases, the project manager should specify a time frame for submissions and
method of notification.
d. All submittals, whether from an individual or an organization, must include the
name and address of the submitter. No anonymous submittals will be accepted.
e. All suggestions will be given the same consideration without regard to the
nomination source.
2. The project manager is responsible for conveying the name suggestion forms from the
City Clerk to the Palo Alto Historical Association and presenting the recommendations
from the Historical Association to the appropriate commission or committee whose
sphere of influence is most closely associated with the facility in question. The Parks and
Recreation Commission shall review name suggestions for acquired land to be dedicated
as a park, recreational facilities, community centers and interpretive centers. The Library
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 3 of 8
Advisory Commission shall review name suggestions for library facilities. The Public
Art Commission shall review name suggestions for art facilities. The Policy and Services
Committee shall review name suggestions for police, fire or utility facilities as well as
major civic complexes.
a. The Historical Association may also originate suggestions for names or provide
suggestions for appropriate alternatives as part of its recommendations.
b. The project manager shall assure that adequate time is allowed for the
Historical Association and the appropriate commission or committee to evaluate
the recommended names.
c. The Historical Association shall determine if the suggested names meet the
criteria of appropriate significance, and shall submit the recommendations to the
appropriate commission or committee together with the rationale for the
recommendations. The response from the Historical Association shall
acknowledge all the names that are submitted, but recommend only those which it
feels meet the criteria and warrant serious consideration.
B. Responsibility of the Reviewing Commission Or Committee
1. The commission or committee shall conduct a public hearing, confirm that the
recommended names meet the criteria of appropriate significance, select
recommendation(s) provided by the Historical Association, and shall forward its
recommendation to the City Council. The report from the commission or committee shall
acknowledge all of the recommended names together with their evaluation, but present
only the name(s) which it feels best meets the criteria and merits serious consideration by
the City Council.
2. Once approved, a transmittal and resolution will be prepared by staff for consideration
and approval by the City Council. The transmittal shall include a narrative of historic
reference prepared by the Palo Alto Historical Association for the name, a copy of the
name suggestion form, and minutes of the Commission meeting when the
recommendation was discussed.
C. Criteria
The following criteria shall be used in selecting an appropriate name for City-owned land and
facilities.
1. The name should, if possible, have or preserve the geographic, environmental (relating
to natural or physical features), historic or landmark connotation of particular
significance to the area in which the land or facility is located, or for the City as a whole.
Either connotation is equally valid.
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 4 of 8
2. Acknowledgement of contributions: Consideration may be given to naming the City-
owned land or facility after an individual when the land or facility, or the money for its
purchase, has been donated by the individual, or when otherwise warranted by some
contribution or service which is deemed to be of major and lasting significance to the
acquisition of that piece of land, or planning, development, construction or renovation of
that particular facility. Donation of land or resources shall not constitute an obligation by
the City to name the land or facility or any portion thereof, after an individual, family, or
individual/family foundation. City-owned lands, parks, or entire facilities shall not be
named for benefactor organizations, groups or businesses, but in special cases, may be
considered for sub-facilities such as rooms or playgrounds. In cases involving a major
capital fundraising campaign, see Section 3 below – Naming Recognition for Capital
Campaigns.
3. Names honoring individuals or families, other than those of recognized historic
importance, must be supported by compelling reasons.
4. In the event the City-owned land or facility was formerly school property or had other
ownership such that the name of the school, building or site has community significance
or community recognition, consideration may be given to preserving that name.
5. The City encourages naming which reflects the City’s ethnic and cultural diversity.
6. No City-owned land or facility shall be named after a seated elected or appointed
official.
7. No City-owned land or facility shall be named after a person whose contribution to the
City of Palo Alto was or is a part of that individual’s normal duties as an employee of the
City. An exception may be made for former such employees who have contributed
volunteer services of an exceptional nature beyond their normal duties.
8. When naming sub-facilities or interior spaces, such as rooms or playgrounds, after
corporate or commercial entities or foundations, these entities must abide by the City’s
anti-discrimination policy.
D. Council Action
1. The recommendations received from the Historical Association and the commission or
committee shall be placed on the Council agenda for final approval.
2. Action by the Council shall be by Council Resolution.
E. Follow-up to Selection of the Name
1. The above-described process for selecting an appropriate name should precede the
preparation of a park dedication ordinance.
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
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2. Subsequent to approval by the City Council, the name for the City-owned land or
facility shall be conveyed to the Department of Public Works for incorporation in City
official maps and plans, and to the Palo Alto Historical Association for its records.
F. Naming Places Within City-owned Land or Facilities
In the case of places within City-owned land or facilities, where the policy does not require a
Council resolution, responsibility for requesting Council approval of the new name shall reside
with the department head who manages the land or facility.
Ideally, the naming of features within a park and specific trails or facilities within open space
lands will occur during the master plan or site plan process.
Names within parks should be appropriate to the park by reflecting the expression of the place
(topography, geology, natural features), flora and fauna, or history of the area.
In advance of the naming, the department head shall send a memorandum to the City Manager
advising of the proposed action and requesting approval. The City Manager will then seek
approval of the name from the City Council via the consent calendar.
SECTION 2: PROCEDURE FOR RENAMING EXISTING FACILITIES OR CITY-
OWNED LANDS
Existing place names are deemed to have historic recognition. City policy is not to change the
name of any existing facilities or City-owned land, particularly one whose name has City or
regional significance, unless there are compelling reasons to do so. Further, the City will
consider renaming to commemorate a person or persons only when the person or persons have
made major, overriding contributions to the City and whose distinctions are as yet unrecognized.
A. Renaming Suggestions
1. All requests concerning a new name to be given to the City-owned land or facility shall
be made in writing on an approved suggestion form to the City Clerk. The suggestion
must detail how the proposed name change is consistent with the criteria, the purpose of
the name change, and how the new name is directly associated with the land or facility.
2. All submittals, whether from an individual, organization or City staff, must include the
name and address or the submitter. No anonymous submittals will be accepted.
3. The City Council shall initiate the renaming process by referral of the public or staff
request to the commission or committee whose sphere of influence is most closely
associated with the facility in question. Council can also initiate the renaming of lands or
a facility without a public request whenever deemed necessary or in the best interest of
the City of Palo Alto, following established criteria. Once the referral is made by the City
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 6 of 8
Council to a specific commission or committee, the commission or committee will await
comment and evaluation of the new name from the Palo Alto Historical Association.
B. Responsibility of the Project Manager
1. The City Clerk is responsible for conveying the name suggestion form(s) received by
the deadline to the Project Manager, who will be responsible for forwarding to the Palo
Alto Historical Association and then transmitting the recommendation(s) from the Palo
Alto Historical Association to the appropriate commission or committee as outlined in
Section A above.
2. The recognized neighborhood association in the vicinity of the land or facility will be
notified of the proposed name change at the time the reviewing commission or committee
receives the report from the Historical Association.
C. Responsibility of the Reviewing Commission Or Committee
1. The commission or committee shall conduct a public hearing, confirm that the
suggested name(s) meet the criteria of appropriate significance, select recommendation(s)
from the names provided by the Historical Association, and shall forward its
recommendation to the City Council. The report from the commission or committee shall
acknowledge any recommended names together with its evaluation, but present only the
name or names which it feels best meets the criteria and merits serious consideration by
the Council.
2. Once approved, a transmittal and resolution will be prepared by staff for consideration
and approval by the City Council. The transmittal shall include a narrative of historic
reference for the name or names, together with a copy of the name suggestion form.
D. Criteria
Each application for renaming a city park or facility must meet the criteria in this policy, but
meeting all criteria does not ensure renaming.
City-owned lands and facilities may be renamed for an individual(s) under the following
conditions. Where the individual:
1. Has made lasting and significant contributions to the protection of natural or cultural
resources of the City of Palo Alto, or
2. Has made substantial contributions to the betterment of a specific facility or park,
consistent with the established standards for the facility, or
3. Has made substantial contributions to the advancement of commensurate types of
recreational opportunities within the City of Palo Alto.
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 7 of 8
E. Council Action
1. The recommendations received from the Palo Alto Historical Association and
commission or committee shall be submitted for Council approval.
2. Action by the Council shall be by Council Resolution.
F. Follow-up to Selection of Name
1. Subsequent to approval by the City Council, the new name for the City-owned land or
facility shall be conveyed to the Department of Public Works for incorporation in City
official maps and plans, and to the Palo Alto Historical Association for its records.
NOTE: Questions and/or clarification of this policy should be directed to the City Manager's
Office.
SECTION 3: PROCEDURE FOR OFFERING NAMING RECOGNITION FOR
SIGNIFICANT DONATIONS TO CAPITAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS
This section applies to any organized fundraising initiated by the City, a Board/Commission or
other group whose sole purpose is to support City programs and operations in support of the
renovation/expansion of an existing building, the construction of a new facility, the acquisition
of a building/land, or the furnishings, fixtures and equipment in said facilities.
A. Responsibility of the staff liaison to the Board, Commission, Task Force or group
conducting the Capital Campaign
Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of department in which the project
to be acquired/constructed/renovated is managed. A staff liaison appointed to work
with the board/committee will guide them through the process and manage
appropriate contacts with other departments as necessary during the acquisition,
design and construction process. This will ensure that appropriate information and
materials are provided to the group and that opportunities and expectations are clear,
understandable, and feasible within the framework of the project.
B. When a Capital Campaign is initiated by the City, a Commission or other group
whose sole purpose is to support City programs and operations, accommodations to
the procedures outlined in Sections 1 and 2 shall be made as follows:
a. The organizing body may meet and discuss preliminary plans with the City’s
liaison, Department Head and the City Attorney’s office in order to facilitate any
“silent” fundraising period.
b. The organizing body shall request authorization from the City Council for a
Naming Recognition Plan in support of a specific project. They shall provide the
following information in their request:
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 8 of 8
i. Name of the organizing body;
ii. Purpose of the campaign;
iii. Monetary goal of the campaign;
iv. Expected term of the campaign;
v. Plan for naming recognition including a schedule of naming opportunities
and associated gift levels
vi. Maintenance/replacement of naming recognition items – City staff shall
work with the organizing body to ensure that the plan includes
acknowledgement of the maintenance responsibilities associated with any
naming recognition items within the facility.
c. Once the Naming Recognition Schedule has been approved by the City Council,
the fund-raising body shall have the authority to proceed with making
commitments for naming opportunities with potential donors subject to final
Council review.
d. The naming of a facility or sub-facility will not occur until the pledged donation is
received.
e. Consistent with the Gifts to the City policy, all gifts paid directly to the City shall
be duly reported to the Administrative Services Department (ASD) Director and
recognized appropriately in accordance with that policy (Policies and Procedures
1-18). If a donation was given anonymously, the donor’s identity shall be
protected to the extent possible.
f. Under this procedure, the organizing body must present a final report to the City
Council for approval, detailing the funds received and any naming opportunities
granted, along with a timeline for the completion of the recognition. The group
may also come to the Council at any time during the capital campaign for
approval of one or more naming recognition items. All naming recognition must
be adopted by resolution of the City Council. The City Manager or designee can
also request that any donations and associated naming recognitions be brought to
the City Council at an earlier point in the capital campaign for approval.
C. The one exception to this procedure shall be for the naming of an entire building as
recognition for a significant monetary or land contribution. If a fund-raising group
secures a donation significant enough to warrant naming the entire facility in
recognition of that individual, family or foundation, this should be presented directly
to the City Council for approval separately and as soon as possible after this type of
donation is secured. As part of this approval process, the Council may solicit input
from the Palo Alto Historical Association or the appropriate board/commission.
Consistent with the policy statement, the City will not recognize significant corporate
donations by naming an entire facility in honor of these entities.
D. In cases of major building reconfigurations or disasters that destroy or damage
portions of the building, the City reserves the right to remove and not replace naming
recognitions. However, the City will consider the original donation intent in these
instances and make accommodations as feasible.
POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 1 of 3
APPLICATION FOR NAMING OR RENAMING
CITY-OWNED LANDS OR FACILITIES
Naming objectives:
1. Ensure that parks, recreational areas and facilities are easily identified
and located.
2. Ensure that names designated for parks, recreational areas and facilities
are consistent with the values and character of the area or neighborhood
served.
3. Encourage public participation in the naming, renaming and dedication of
parks, recreation areas and facilities.
4. Encourage the donation of land, funds for land acquisition or development
by individuals and groups.
Criteria for naming new facilities or parks:
The following criteria shall be used in selecting an appropriate name for City-owned land and facilities.
1. The name shall have or preserve the geographic, environmental (relating to natural or physical
features), historic or landmark connotation of particular significance to the area in which the land or
facility is located, or for the City as a whole. Either connotation is equally valid.
2. Consideration may be given to naming the City-owned land or facility after an individual when the land
or facility, or the money for its purchase, has been donated by the individual, or when otherwise
warranted by some contribution or service which is deemed to be of major and lasting significance to the
acquisition of that piece of land, or planning, development, construction or renovation of that particular
facility. Donation of land or resources shall not constitute an obligation by the City to name the land or
facility or any portion thereof, after an individual or family. City-owned lands or parks shall not be named
for benefactor organizations, groups or businesses, but in special cases, may be considered for sub-
facilities such as rooms or playgrounds.
3. Names honoring individuals or families, other than those of recognized historic importance, must be
supported by compelling reasons.
4. In the event the City-owned land or facility was formerly school property or had other ownership such
that the name of the school, building or site has community significance or community recognition,
consideration may be given to preserving that name.
5. The City encourages naming which reflects the City’s ethnic and cultural diversity.
6. No City-owned land or facility shall be named after a seated elected or appointed official.
7. No City-owned land or facility shall be named after a person whose contribution to the City of Palo
Alto was or is a part of that individual’s normal duties as an employee of the City. An exception may be
made for former such employees who have contributed volunteer services of an exceptional nature
beyond their normal duties.
8. When naming sub-facilities, such as rooms or playgrounds, after corporate or commercial
entities or foundations, these entities must abide by the City’s anti-discrimination policy.
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Criteria for renaming existing facilities of parks:
Each application for renaming a city park or facility must meet the criteria listed above, but meeting all
criteria does not ensure renaming.
Existing place names are deemed to have historic recognition. City policy is not to change the name of
any existing facilities or City-owned land, particularly one whose name has City or regional significance,
unless there are compelling reasons to do so. Further, the City will consider renaming to commemorate a
person or persons only when the person or persons have made major, overriding contributions to the City
and whose distinctions are as yet unrecognized.
City-owned lands and facilities may be renamed for an individual(s) under the following conditions.
Where the individual:
1. Has made lasting and significant contributions to the protection of natural or cultural resources of the
City of Palo Alto, or
2. Has made substantial contributions to the betterment of a specific facility or park, consistent with the
established standards for the facility, or
3. Has made substantial contributions to the advancement of commensurate types of recreational
opportunities within the City of Palo Alto.
Suggestions for naming or renaming City-owned lands or facilities shall be evaluated on the basis of the
above criteria and upon appropriate documentation. Person making the name suggestion (required): Address (required):_____________________________________________________________ Contact phone number (required):_________________________________________________ E-mail (not required):___________________________________________________________ Location of site or facility to be named:_____________________________________________ Suggested name (required):_______________________________________________________
Biographical information: (Explain) ________________________________________________
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Civic involvement: (Explain) ______________________________________________________
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POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1-15/MGR
Revised: April 2008
Page 3 of 3
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Connection to the facility: (Please explain in depth) ____________________________________
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Reason for Nomination (required): _________________________________________________
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Additional Comments (additional information may be attached): _________________________
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Date Received by the City Clerk: ____________________________________
Submitted to Palo Alto Historical Association: _________________________
Date scheduled for review by commission: ____________________________