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AD 13 - Municipal Facility and Asset Naming Policy and Procedure
MUNICIPAL FACILITY AND ASSET NAMING POLICY
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish the guiding principles and procedures
for naming municipal assets belonging to the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.
including roads, bridges, parks, trails, open spaces, memorials, buildings, and
any other municipal property.
2. POLICY STATEMENT
The Municipality recognizes that naming municipal assets in public spaces is an
opportunity to provide information and education and to encourage reflection on
significant histories and values. Asset naming reflects community values by
visibly demonstrating how the Municipality and its residents choose to honour the
past, acknowledge the present, and shape the future.
When naming municipal assets, the Municipality is committed to promoting a
broader awareness of history and its impact on communities in public spaces and
encouraging diversity and inclusion. This policy is intended to create and
promote a reflective and equitable community landscape, with particular
emphasis on honouring Veterans.
This policy applies where the Municipality seeks to name or rename municipal
assets. It does not apply to certain forms of recognition or acknowledgment
designed for specific objectives, including awards or tributes given to the
Municipality, donations, or fee-for-service programs such as the memorial tree
and bench purchasing policy.
3. DEFINITIONS
Clerk means the Clerk of the Corporation of the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.
Council means the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Mississippi
Mills
AD 13 - Municipal Facility and Asset Naming Policy and Procedure
Municipal Asset means any of the following that is situated in a Public Space
and is owned by the Municipality:
- Roadways
- Road Allowances
- Bridges
- Trails
- Open Spaces
- Parks
- Park Elements include walkways, bicycle paths, fountains, gardens,
landscape features, and playgrounds
- Buildings
- Rooms within buildings
- Any other land, structure, installation or item of tangible property that
belongs to the municipality
Municipality means the Corporation of the Municipality of Mississippi Mills
Significant Contribution refers to a substantial donation of funds, land,
resources, or volunteer service that directly benefits the community and aligns
with the Municipality's goals and priorities. The contribution must result in a
lasting positive impact and be clearly documented in scope or value.
4. GENERAL PROVISIONS
4.1. Guiding Principles
The Municipality's decision-making with respect to the Naming of Municipal
Assets will be guided and informed by the following principles:
a) Be Informed by Historical Research and Community Insights
Name selection will be grounded in historical and/or community-based
research that is carefully and ethically undertaken. Research may consider a
range of primary and secondary sources, such as the Archives Lanark,
history books, articles, peer-reviewed academic research, archival materials,
and artifacts.
b) Be Supported by Communities Through Meaningful Consultation
Name selection is supported by meaningful consultation with and input from
a wide variety of voices in the community, reflecting different perspectives
and experiences. This can be achieved through various methods such as
surveys, online engagement, and/or community dialogues.
c) Individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership or
cultural significance within the municipality.
Names may be added to recognize individuals who have made meaningful
and lasting contributions to the municipality through service, leadership or
AD 13 - Municipal Facility and Asset Naming Policy and Procedure
cultural impact. This principle supports the celebration of those who have
helped shape the municipality in positive ways, fostering a sense of pride,
inclusivity for current and future generations.
d) Include Names of Significance to Veterans, Indigenous Peoples, and
Equity-Deserving Groups
Naming should reflect the diversity of the Municipality's residents. To create
public spaces that are inclusive and representative of diversity, the
Municipality will ensure that it includes names of significance to Veterans,
Indigenous Peoples, and other equity-deserving groups. Priority will also be
given to celebrating untold stories currently not represented in public
spaces. Names can acknowledge a variety of subjects that are significant to
Veterans, Indigenous Peoples, and Equity-Deserving Groups, including but
not limited to:
i.
individuals or communities, whether living or deceased, young or
old, widely or locally renowned, Canadian, immigrants or
refugees;
ii.
historical events, whether tragic or triumphant;
iii.
values or concepts of importance to the populations as mentioned
above;
iv.
cultural principles; and
v.
languages.
e) Honour Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being
In alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's
Calls to Action, the Municipality is committed to Consultation with Indigenous
Peoples. Naming future roads, parks, and other infrastructure after
Indigenous peoples, concepts, and traditions is a potentially significant way
to further reconciliation and demonstrate appreciation for Indigenous ways of
knowing and being.
f) Connect to the Histories and Cultures of the Municipality, Province or
Country
Priority will be given to Names with historical or cultural ties to the
Municipality, followed by names connected to the Province or Country. By
emphasizing names relevant and connected to the local area, the
Municipality seeks to uncover the diverse histories and narratives that have
shaped the experiences and communities within.
AD 13 - Municipal Facility and Asset Naming Policy and Procedure
g) Reflect Prominent Natural Features, Landforms and Botanical Names
in the Community.
The municipality is rich in natural features and assets. The community
includes the falls, sugar bushes, rapids, and the Mississippi River. Names of
natural landforms, species and native/local wildlife flora and fauna should be
recognized.
4.2. Name Collection
a) Nomination Process
Any residents of the Municipality may nominate a Municipal Asset Name for
consideration.
Nomination forms will be available on the website and can be provided by
the Clerk in alternate formats upon request.
Nomination forms must be completed and accompanied by the following:
1) Information demonstrating the relevance and significance of the
proposed Name, which may include historical information about an
event and/or biographical information about a person or organization to
which the proposed Name relates.
2) Documentation demonstrating substantial support for the nomination,
including letters or other expressions of support from Veterans,
Indigenous Peoples and Equity-Deserving Groups.
3) If applicable, documentation from an authorized family member or legal
representative of the person or organization to which the proposed
Name relates, supporting and/or authorizing the naming request.
b) Consultation
In addition to receiving nominations under paragraph 4.2.a, the Municipality
will consult with the local Veteran organizations and Indigenous Peoples to
gather input and propose Names that reflect those communities.
The Municipality will accept Name submissions from Veteran organizations
and Indigenous Peoples as frequently as they are provided and will add
them to the Approved Name Registry.
4.3. Name Selection
Proposed Names will be assessed by the Clerk's Office, in conjunction with the
Development Services & Engineering Department, based on the Guiding
Principles contained within this Policy. All Names accepted for use will be listed
in the Approved Name Registry and identified as being in immediate use or
available for future consideration. The Municipality will select Names from the
Approved Name Registry as and when required. If the Approved Name Registry
no longer contains available Names, the Municipality may seek additional
names in accordance with the Guiding Principles in this Policy.
AD 13 - Municipal Facility and Asset Naming Policy and Procedure
Road names submitted for proposed developments are subject to review and
approval by the Development Services & Engineering Department to ensure
compliance with this policy and the County of Lanark for road addressing
purposes.
The Development Services & Engineering Department will provide developers
with the Approved Name Registry for consideration.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Policy, Names will not be accepted for use
if they:
- incorporate, include, or refer to the name of any tobacco, alcohol or
cannabis company;
- lend themselves to inappropriate short forms or modifications;
- are discriminatory in relation to any protected grounds under the Ontario
Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8; or
- reflect persons or groups that have a documented history of misconduct
or actions that do not align with the Municipality's values and principles
- refer to an event or to someone who has died within the past two (2)
years.
4.4. Renaming Municipal Assets
Municipal Asset Names that are approved and in use cannot be changed
without Council approval. Council shall assess any request or proposal to
change the Name of a Municipal Asset in accordance with the Guiding
Principles outlined in this Policy.
5. NAMING PROCEDURES
5.1. For Naming of a Particular Facility or Asset.
5.1.1 Where Council or its Administration are the proponent for naming, the name
may be drawn from the Approved Name Registry or as otherwise
determined by Council.
5.1.2 Developers shall submit all proposed road names to the Municipality during
the draft conditions stage. Any road names submitted with a proposed
development are subject to review and approval to ensure compliance with
this policy and the County of Lanark for rural addressing purposes.
5.2. Naming of Donated Land
5.2.1 Parks and park facilities donated to the Municipality can be named by deed
restrictions by the donor. The naming and acceptance of land are subject to
recommendation by the Committee of the Whole and approval by Council.
AD 13 - Municipal Facility and Asset Naming Policy and Procedure
5.2.2 Naming rights are not guaranteed if the donation of parkland is a dedication
as required by the subdivision agreement. If a developer requires naming
rights, these shall be negotiated as part of the subdivision agreement.
5.2.3 If naming has not been negotiated as part of the subdivision agreement,
Council shall choose a name from the Approved Name Registry list or seek
proposed names in accordance with Section 5.4.
5.3. Naming by Other Means
5.3.1 Council may decide to name a particular facility or asset by involving the
public at large, i.e. a citizens' contest.
5.3.2 Input shall be sought through the Municipal website, social media and
community boards
5.3.3 The Clerk's department shall add the recommendation as a public meeting
on an upcoming agenda to allow the members of the public to provide
comments on the proposed name to Council. In addition, advertisements
will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed
naming for a period of at least 30 days.
5.3.4 A report shall then be prepared for Council's consideration, providing a
recommendation on the proposed name resulting from the public
consultation process.
The report may be considered "in camera" in accordance with the Municipal
Act 2001, c. 25, s. 239(2)(b) "personal matters about an identifiable
individual, including municipal or local board employees."
6. SCHEDULE A
Municipality of Mississippi Mills - Municipal Facility and Asset Naming- Nomination
Form
Please refer to Policy AD 13 regarding eleigibility and criteria
Name :
(Individual or Organization)
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Home:
Cell:
Email:
Affiliation to Nominee:
Name:
(As you would like it to appear)
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Home:
Cell:
Email:
Nominee Signature or two(2) signing authorities of the organization being nominated:
Nominee:
or
Signing Authority 1 Name:
Signing Authority 1 Signature:
Signing Authority 2 Name:
Signing Authority 2 Signature:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Nominee's Information
If the proposed name is intended to honour an individual or organization, please complete the
section below. If the proposed name is not related to an individual, please proceed to Section
3.
Municipal Facility and Asset Naming
Nomination Form
Nominator's Information
Section 3:
Name Request:
Meaning of Name or Translation:
Section 4:
Yes
No
Yes
No
**Personal information contained on this form is collected under the authority of Section 11 of the
Municipal Act 2001, SO2001, c.25. The information will be used for the purpose of administering the
Municipality of Mississippi Mills Municipal Facility and Asset Naming Policy. Questions about this
collection should be directed to the Clerk's Department. **
Description demonstrating how the proposed name is consistent with the
Guiding Principles contained within this Policy.
Documentation including letters from organizations and individuals providing
substantial support for the request.
Documentation from the next of kin or legal representative supporting and/or
authorizing the naming request.
Named unlreated to an Individual or Organization
Background information demonstrating that the proposed name is of
significance to the community and/or the Municipality.
Description demonstrating how the proposed name is consistent with the
Guiding Principles contained within this Policy.
Please provide the following information to the Clerk's Department together with the complete
application form.
Supporting Documentation
Included
Background information and/or biographical information (if named after an
organization or an individual) demonstrating that the proposed name is of
significance to the community and/or the Municipality
Individual and/or Organization Names
Names unlreated to an Individual or Organization