Milwaukie council adopts updated naming, memorial and donation policies after public outreach

Milwaukie — The City Council unanimously approved a new set of policies governing the naming of city assets and a parallel memorial and donation policy after staff presented outreach results and recommended procedures.

Gabriela Santoyo Gutierrez, the city’s equity and inclusion coordinator, and Adam Moore, parks and green space development manager, told council the changes were developed over about a year with community members, city departments and boards. "Adam and I have planned tonight to provide an update and adoption of our city's naming policies," Santoyo Gutierrez said during the presentation.

Moore described the rationale for updating city guidance, saying the city previously relied on a parks policy and an older 2000 policy. "This policy is based on what we consider the best practices from the region," he said, noting staff reviewed multiple municipal policies including examples from NCPRD and the City of Portland.

The adopted naming policy establishes a 45-day public solicitation period for name proposals, a staff and subcommittee review process and a final decision by council. The policy defines five naming categories — geographic or special features, Indigenous or cultural names, native flora and fauna, historic names, and outstanding individuals — and specifies that only deceased individuals may be considered for honors as named people.

For donor-linked naming, the policy limits "significant donations" to specific thresholds (staff described examples such as majority interests in land, substantial capital contributions or long-term endowments) and requires that donor recommendations still go through the public notification and review process rather than automatically securing naming rights.

The memorial and donation policy, which staff said largely mirrors regional parks guidance, clarifies that recognition can include nonfinancial contributions (such as volunteer hours) and that plaques will be time-limited (20 years). Staff also raised a modest design change to increase the maximum plaque size to 8 by 11 inches and emphasized that right-of-way permits must be obtained before placing any plaque or physical donation in a right-of-way.

Council and staff highlighted the city’s outreach results: a survey run Nov. 4–Dec. 1 produced 82 completed responses (staff noted about 331 visitors who did not complete the survey), and roughly 65% of those respondents said they were satisfied with the proposed naming categories. Staff also said they met with tribal staff from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and incorporated feedback intended to avoid contentious public contests between naming choices; the tribe offered translation and research support for Indigenous-name proposals.

Councilors debated whether limiting naming rights might reduce fundraising incentives. One councilor said the memorial policy already allows recognition without selling a name, and staff argued the combined approach levels the playing field between monetary donations and volunteer or in-kind contributions.

An Unidentified Councilor (Speaker 5) moved to approve the resolution adopting policy and procedures for naming assets and facilities; an Unidentified Councilor (Speaker 3) seconded the motion. The council voted aye with none opposed; the resolution passed unanimously.

Following adoption, staff said they will form a naming subcommittee of up to six people to review nominations and make recommendations. Staff identified Bowman Bray and Belfero Parks as near-term candidates for subcommittee review and noted Scott Park is deed-restricted to honor Richard Landa Scott; staff indicated the deed restricts how the park may be used and preserves the name unless a compelling reason is presented.

City leaders said the policy will be evaluated after implementation and can be revised as needed if it creates unforeseen consequences for fundraising or community engagement. The named policies and supporting materials were included in the council packet and will be posted on the city’s website for public reference.