(a) Community standards. The naming of city property, space or program shall be considered by the members of City Council and shall fulfill at least one of the following community standards for recognition:
(1) A person, living or deceased, or group is to be recognized by the city for an action of historical or cultural significance or demonstrated excellence to the City of Solon, the State of Ohio, the United States or the world.
(2) A person, living or deceased, was associated with the City of Solon as either a resident, elected official, or volunteer in the city community, and was instrumental in furthering the interests of the city through leadership or civic responsibility, and engaged in activities beneficial to the city.
(3) The person, living or deceased, risked their life to save or protect others.
(4) Recognition of a certain person, group or event is consistent with the public policy of the city.
(5) The requirements of philanthropic considerations, as discussed in division (b) of this section, have been met and merit recognition.
(b) Philanthropic contractual agreements and plans. The naming of city property, space or program may be considered as a part of a contractual agreement between the city and a party for the provision of significant funding toward the cost of renovation of city property or the construction of public property and shall be referred to as a philanthropic contractual agreement. Significant funding provided to the city under a philanthropic contractual agreement shall be broadly construed but shall include substantial contributions that completely or significantly enable a city property renovation or construction project to occur. Significant funding under this section shall include, but not be limited to, monetary donations, donations of real property and sponsorship agreements. The naming of city property, space, or program as a condition of a philanthropic contractual agreement shall be reviewed as a part of any city project and shall be exempt from the general process requirements of § 212.05. The Mayor shall review and present any proposal for a philanthropic contractual agreement to City Council for its review and approval, and a philanthropic contractual agreement shall not be effective without the approval of City Council.
(1) City property, spaces or programs may be named after an individual, group, entity or event pursuant to the terms and conditions of a philanthropic contractual agreement meeting the requirements of this division (b) so long as the philanthropic contract agreement provides the term, or length of time, the city property, space or program shall hold the name specified, as well as one of the following:
A. Real property donated to the city is, or shall be, deeded to the city, and such donation or transfer of property is not required by a separate agreement, or by reason of any ordinance, law or regulation.
B. The amount of the contribution of capital funding toward the city project, by way of a donation, a series of donations, or sponsorship agreement, is clearly specified in the philanthropic contractual agreement, and such donation or sponsorship agreement is not required by a separate agreement, or by reason of any ordinance, law or regulation.
(2) The city may establish philanthropic naming rights plans, approved by City Council, for components of city facilities, including but not limited to rooms within a building, athletic fields, gardens, playgrounds, bricks for a path, walkway or building, subject to the following:
A. Assets for naming opportunities may be offered and may be valued and allocated as donations towards capital costs, operating costs or maintenance costs, and the same shall be determined based on the desirability or marketability of the project and naming opportunity.
B. City Council shall approve the comprehensive naming rights plan for a certain city project or facility, as the case may be, listing the naming rights offered by the city in exchange for certain levels or values of funding donated to the city.
C. Any naming rights plan or agreement enter into pursuant to this subsection shall be consistent with this Policy.
(c) Limitations and restrictions on the naming of city property, spaces and program.
(1) Naming rights may be approved by City Council for a specific term, which may not be longer than the useful life of the property, space or program.
(2) Names that are contrary to public policy, such as discriminatory or derogatory names, will not be considered by the Mayor or City Council.
(3) The receipt of a donation in exchange for the naming of city property, space or program, shall be consistent with the public policy.
(4) The approval of naming rights for city property, spaces or programs pursuant this Policy shall not entitle the naming person or entity, or donor, to any preferential treatment by the city and all terms and conditions of receipt by the city of a donation or sponsorship in exchange of the naming of certain city property, space or program shall be contained within the agreement between the parties.
(Ord. 2022-220, passed 12-5-2022)