Ordinance 20-021 Naming City owned property CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY,WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE 20-021
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON,ADOPTING CHAPTER 3.33 OF THE SPOKANE VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE
TO CREATE A POLICY FOR NAMING CITY-OWNED PROPERTY.
WHEREAS, the City of Spokane Valley may desire, from time to time,to identify and designate
a name for particular City-owned parcels,parks, or buildings; and
WHEREAS,the City of Spokane Valley currently has no process or criteria for selection of names
for City-owned property other than streets; and
WHEREAS, the City of Spokane Valley recognizes that the additional Code provisions would
provide greater clarity, consistency, and guidance for naming City-owned property; and
WHEREAS,the City Council finds that it would be in the best interest of the City to create a policy
for naming City property that promotes the City's core beliefs; and
WHEREAS, the addition of chapter 3.33 SVMC is in the best interest of the health, safety, and
welfare of the citizens of the City.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Spokane County,
Washington, do ordain as follows:
Section 1. Adoption. Chapter 3.33 SVMC relating to the naming of city-owned property is
hereby adopted as set forth below:
3.33 NAMING OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
3.33.010.Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a procedure for the City to use when naming
or renaming a city-owned property.
3.33.020. Scope. The provisions of chapter 3.33 SVMC apply to all city-owned property, and ancillary
features within the city limits. Streets are expressly excluded from this chapter and shall be named pursuant
to chapter 22.135 SVMC.
3.33.030.Definitions.
"Ancillary feature" means individual exterior or interior features and/or facility within a city-owned
property including, but not limited to, meeting rooms, landscaped grounds, flower gardens, sculptures,
picnic shelters, play lots, ball field,and other similar items.
"City-owned property" means any real estate, facility, or building owned by the City, including parks and
park facilities as defined in SVMC 6.05.010. For the purposes of this section, "city owned property" does
not include streets or stormwater facilities.
3.33.040. Designation of Name by City Council. The City Council shall have sole authority to designate
the names of city-owned property,and any ancillary features, if it is determined that a name is appropriate.
The City Council will make its selection only after receiving a written recommendation from the city
Ordinance 20-021 Naming of City-Owned Property Page I of 3
manager. Such written recommendation shall state how the proposed names(s)meet the criteria in SVMC
3.33.050. The City Council shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the recommendation(s)
before taking action. The naming or renaming of city-owned property or ancillary feature shall be
memorialized through adoption of a resolution. The resolution shall state how the proposed name meets
the criteria pursuant to SVMC 3.33.050.
3.33.050.Naming Criteria.
A. The naming of city-owned property and ancillary features shall be made upon one or more of the
following criteria:
I. Geographic or neighborhood location of the city-owned property or ancillary feature.
2.Historical or cultural significance.
3.Natural or geographical features surrounding the city-owned property or ancillary feature.
4. A person who has made a significant land, building, or monetary contribution to the city for the
building or property being named.
5. An individual who has contributed outstanding civic service to the city, state of Washington, or
United States.
B. If the proposed facility name is for an individual, then the individual must be deceased for at least one
year. This subsection does not apply to plaques created in recognition of donors.
C.Consideration shall be given to any terms or conditions agreed to upon acceptance of a donation pursuant
to chapter 3.34 SVMC, including but not limited to any conditions or stipulations regarding naming.
D. The City shall attempt to avoid duplication or confusing similarity when adopting a name.
3.33.060.Naming of Ancillary Features.All portions of a city-owned property will have the same name
throughout the entire city-owned property. However, ancillary features, such as a playground or other
distinct feature of the property, may be named separately provided the name does not detract from the
intended identity of the city-owned property. Names of ancillary features are subject to the criteria pursuant
to SVMC 3.33.050 and to the selection process pursuant to SVMC 3.33.040.
Section 2. Other sections unchanged. All other provisions of Title 3 SVMC not specifically
referenced hereto shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 3. SeverabiIity. If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance shall be
held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause, or
phrase of this Ordinance.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after
publication of this Ordinance or summary thereof in the official newspaper of the City of Spokane Valley
as provided by law.
Ordinance 20-021 Naming of City-Owned Property Page 2 of 3
Passed by the City Council this 10th day of November, 2020.
AT + 4. uj)
L. / Ben Wick, Mayor
ristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
Office o he City'
i (A rney
Date of Publication: /l
Effective Date:
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