(a) Proposal. A proposal to assign an honorary street name shall be submitted by application along with the fee to the Mayor's office who will refer the proposal to the Council Infrastructure committee. Each proposal shall include:
(1) The applicants name, representing business/organization, address, phone number, fax, website and email address.
(2) The specific street segment being proposed for honorary street naming, including how many intersections and total signs.
(3) The full form of the name being proposed preceeding the word "WAY".
(4) The origin or meaning of the proposed name if not a familiar Proper Name.
(5) If the proposed name refers to an individual, a brief biography of that individual.
(6) The rational for assigning the honorary street name, including an explanation of how the name or individual has been associated with the area or street where they are to be located.
(7) If approved by council, the applicant will at their expense, pay the designated costs per sign and hardware for installation.
(8) Any letters from appropriate organizations or individuals which provide evidence of local support for the proposed honorary street name.
(b) Criteria. In reviewing a proposed honorary street name, the council committee shall consider the proposed honorary street name using the following criteria:
(1) An honorary name shall not duplicate any official street name.
(2) When an honorary street name has been assigned, no other honorary naming proposal shall be considered for that segment of the street for a period of twenty (20) years following the effective date of the honorary street naming.
(3) Names that could be considered derogatory to a particular person or organization or to any racial, religious or ethnic group or to disabled persons shall not be considered nor shall names that could be considered obscene, blasphemous, insulting or offensive.
(4) The name of any individual may be considered only if it is determined that it is in the public's interest to honor the individual or the individual's family for historical or commemorative purposes.
(5) This designation shall not be given consideration unless the individual has been a positive influence and exhibited outstanding character.
(6) Names of individuals who have made contributions in arts, science, religion, entertainment, business or generously volunteered their time and efforts for the betterment of the city, state, nation or world, or have served with distinction in the U.S. armed forces or community safety forces for the protection of the community and country along with the those known for outstanding careers of public service, shall be considered.
(7) The individual may be considered only if retired from the career of note or is deceased.
(8) The honorary naming of streets is limited to two approved applications per year.
(c) Submittals and Approvals. Suggestions for honorary street names for the given year shall be submitted to the Mayor's Office. Upon application to the Mayor, City Council will have 90 days to approve or disapprove the request by ordinance. The Mayor, under extraordinary circumstances, may approve the consideration of more than two honorary street names in a given year.
(d) (1) Legality. Whenever an honorary street name is assigned to a street or street segment, by ordinance, the street or street segment shall retain its official name which shall be used for all official and legal purposes. Addresses using the honorary street name must include the current assigned street name.
(2) The honorary street name shall be indicated on a sign mounted at the intersection and shall meet the current edition of the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The City shall have the right to determine the locations, sizes, colors, dimensions, fonts, font sizes, insignia and materials used for signs. The City shall determine if signs may be attached to existing sign posts or whether it will be a standalone post with placard.
(e) Honorary Street Sign Maintenance and Care. The applicant shall be responsible for paying all replacement costs for any sign damage, vandalism or environmental events affecting the sign.
(f) Fee. The application fee is payable at the time of submission. The fee is one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each proposal.
(g) Right of Revocation. The City reserves the right without notification, to revoke the honorary designation and remove the signs, should there be a later discovery of information that violates any of the criteria in subsection (b) hereof. There will be no reimbursement of fees and costs to the applicant. A vote of council to rescind the original ordinance is required.
(Ord. 22-15. Passed 7-13-15.)