Number
050197
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to the procedure for the renaming of streets.
Sections
113-3-1 am
113-3-3 am
113-3-4-0 am
113-3-4-a-0 am
113-3-4-a-1 am
113-3-4-a-2 am
113-3-4-a-5 am
113-3-4-a-7 rp
113-3-4-b rc
113-3-4-c am
113-3-4-d-0 am
113-3-4-d-2 rc
113-3-4-e am
113-3-5-0 am
113-3-5-d am
113-3-6-0 am
113-3-6-i am
113-3-8 cr
Analysis
This ordinance establishes a procedure for assigning honorary names to streets. The honorary naming procedure is an alternative to the existing procedure under which official street names can be changed. Under this ordinance, when an honorary street name is approved, the street retains its official name and legal status, but the honorary name is displayed on signs mounted below the official street name signs.
This ordinance also eliminates the requirement that a proposal to rename a street be accompanied by a petition signed by more than 50 percent of the owners of property along the street. It replaces this requirement with the directive that the appropriate city department or agency conduct a postcard survey of the property owners, residents and businesses along the street to determine the level of support for a street renaming proposal. A proposal shall not receive further consideration unless the postcard survey indicates that more than 50 percent of the property owners, residents and businesses support it.
This ordinance further provides that notice of a common council public hearing on a proposed street renaming or honorary street naming shall be mailed to each owner of property along the street and to each address along the street, including each individual apartment, unit, room or suite number.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee has established a street nomenclature and street numbering system that is rational and easy to understand; and
Whereas, This system is of immeasurable benefit to visitors and residents of Milwaukee unfamiliar with certain areas of the city; and
Whereas, An official street renaming imposes costs and other inconveniences on residents and business owners along the affected street; and
Whereas, Under the City's current procedure for street renamings, under which only property owners have a say in whether a street will be renamed, residents and business owners who do not support the renaming must bear the costs and inconveniences that result from a name change they do not favor; and
Whereas, By conducting a postcard survey of all property owners, residents and businesses along a street for which a renaming is proposed, the City would be able to more accurately gauge true sentiments about the proposed renaming than it could under the current petition procedure; and
Whereas, The Common Council finds that, in order to honor worthy persons, ethnic groups, neighborhoods and historical areas, it is in the best interest of the City and its residents, businesses and visitors to establish an honorary street naming system in which official street names are retained but honorary street name signs are mounted along with the official name signs; now, therefore
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 113-3-1 and 3 of the code is amended to read:
113-3. Naming of Public Buildings, Facilities and Streets. 1. POLICY. To preserve the city's heritage and protect the public safety and convenience, existing names of public buildings, facilities and streets may be changed only in exceptional circumstances and only when compelling reasons for change are evident. In the naming of new public buildings and facilities, >>in the assignment of honorary street names<< and in the exceptional cases of renamings of public buildings, facilities and streets, priority shall be given to names reflecting the city's cultural diversity and the contributions of groups underrepresented in the existing nomenclature.
3. CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE. There is created a citizen advisory committee on the naming of public buildings, facilities and streets which shall make recommendations to the common council regarding proposals to name or rename public buildings, facilities and streets >>or to assign honorary street names<<. The committee shall consist of 7 members who are residents of the city of Milwaukee and who hold no other public office or public employment. Committee members shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the common council to serve staggered 3-year terms. The mayor shall designate the chair. Members of the committee shall include at least one recognized local historian, one representative of a local business association or chamber of commerce and one employe of a local nonprofit community organization. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
Part 2. Section 113-3-4-0, a-0 to 2 and a-5 of the code is amended to read:
4. PROCEDURE. Proposals to name new public buildings and facilities [[or]] >>,<< to rename existing public buildings, facilities and streets >>, or to assign honorary street names<< shall be processed in the following manner:
a. A proposal to name or rename a public building, facility or street >>, or to assign an honorary street name,<< shall be submitted in writing to the city clerk, who shall refer the proposal to the citizen advisory committee, the appropriate standing committee of the common council and the relevant city department or agency. Each proposal shall include:
a-1. The specific building, facility or street being proposed for naming or renaming, >>or the specific street or street segment being proposed for honorary street naming,<< including a sketch showing its location.
a-2. The full form of the name being proposed, as well as the form suggested for use in the naming [[or]] >>,<< renaming >>or honorary street naming<<.
a-5. The rationale for naming or renaming the building, facility or street with the proposed name >>or for assigning the honorary street name<<, including, if applicable, an explanation of how the name or individual is or has been associated with the building, facility or street or the area in which the building, facility or street is located.
Part 3. Section 113-3-4-a-7 of the code is repealed.
(Note: The provisions being repealed read as follows:
a-7. In the case of a street renaming, a petition signed by more than 50 percent of the owners of property along the street, with a maximum of one signature per parcel. Signatures shall be obtained by the person or persons requesting the renaming. A street renaming proposal shall not be considered unless the number of signatures exceeds 50 percent of the number of parcels along the street.)
Part 4. Section 113-3-4-b of the code is repealed and recreated to read:
b. Following submission of a naming, renaming or honorary street naming proposal, the relevant city department or agency shall evaluate the proposed name in terms of the criteria contained in this section. In the case of a street renaming, the department or agency shall also conduct a postcard survey of residents, businesses and owners of property along the street. A street renaming proposal shall not be given further consideration by the city unless the results of the postcard survey indicate that at least 50 percent of all property owners, residents and businesses along the street support the proposal. One postcard shall be sent to each owner of property along the street and to each address along the street, including each individual apartment, unit, room or suite number.
Part 5. Section 113-3-4-c of the code is amended to read:
c. If the proposal was submitted in accordance with the requirements of par. a, the relevant city department or agency shall forward the findings of its review of the proposed naming [[or]] >>,<< renaming >>or honorary street naming<< to the common council committee. The department or agency's report shall include information on the number of signs or name plates that will be required, the number of residences and businesses that will be affected, the estimated public costs of the naming [[or]] >>,<< renaming >>or honorary street naming<< and an evaluation of the proposed name in terms of the criteria set forth in this section.
Part 6. Section 113-3-4-d-0 of the code is amended to read:
d. The common council committee shall conduct a public hearing on the naming [[or]] >>,<< renaming >>or honorary street naming<< proposal in accordance with the following guidelines:
Part 7. Section 113-3-4-d-2 of the code is repealed and recreated to read:
d-2. In the case of a proposed street renaming or honorary street naming, the city clerk shall mail notice of the hearing to each owner of property along the street and to each address along the street, including each individual apartment, unit, room or suite number.
Part 8. Section 113-3-4-e of the code is amended to read:
e. Each approved naming [[or]] >>,<< renaming >>or honorary street naming<< shall take effect 90 days after common council action on the proposal.
Part 9. Section 113-3-5-0 and d of the code is amended to read:
5. GENERAL CRITERIA. In reviewing a proposed naming or renaming of a public building, facility or street, >>or a proposed honorary street naming,<< city staff, the citizen advisory committee and the common council committee shall consider the proposed name in light of the following criteria:
d. When a new public building [[,]] >>or<< facility [[or street]] has been named, [[or]] when an existing public building, facility or street has been renamed, >>or when an honorary street name has been assigned,<< no name change >>or honorary naming<< proposals shall be considered for a period of 10 years following the effective date of the naming [[or]] >>,<< renaming >>or honorary street naming<<.
Part 10. Section 113-3-6-0 and i of the code is amended to read:
6. NAMES OF INDIVIDUALS. The following guidelines shall apply to the naming or renaming of public buildings, facilities or streets after individuals >>and to the use of the names of individuals as honorary street names<<:
i. Full names shall not be considered >>in the naming or renaming of a public building, facility or street<< unless use of an individual's last name only would render the building, facility or street unidentifiable or create confusion with other such buildings, facilities or streets. >>Full names may be used in honorary street names.<<
Part 11. Section 113-3-8 of the code is created to read:
8. HONORARY STREET NAMES. Whenever an honorary street name is assigned to a street or a street segment, the street or street segment shall retain its official name and its legal status. The honorary street name shall be indicated on a sign mounted directly below each sign bearing the official street name.
LRB
APPROVED AS TO FORM
____________________________
Legislative Reference Bureau
Date: _______________________
Attorney
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE
IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE
____________________________
Office of the City Attorney
Date: _______________________
Requestor
Drafter
LRB05212-3
JDO
06/08/05