Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Honorary Street Naming topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council debates draft ordinance on honorary street names, delays Renee Street dedication
Summary
Councilors reviewed a draft ordinance to govern honorary street-name requests and deferred action on a specific request to rename Goldberry as Renee Street while members consider application criteria, fees and sign standards.
Helena City Council reviewed a draft ordinance that would formalize application criteria, fees and standards for honorary street-name designations and agreed to delay a requested Renee Street dedication until the ordinance language is settled.
Councilors and planning staff said the draft ordinance is intentionally flexible in several places — notably on fee amounts, duration of a designation and sign design — and those blanks prompted extended discussion. Planning commissioners had earlier recommended a $150 application fee and a 10-year duration; councilors noted the planning commission’s recommendation and said the council may set a different fee. The draft gives the city authority to determine sign location, color, dimensions and font; planning commissioners had suggested a black-and-gold standard in a prior recommendation.
Several council members said petitioners should pay for initial sign costs and maintenance; staff advised that the ordinance could specify that all costs for placement and upkeep be attributed to the nominating party. Councilors discussed whether a designation should run for 10 years, 20 years or in perpetuity and asked staff to return with clearer draft language that incorporates planning commission input.
Because the ordinance establishes application mechanics and standards, councilors agreed it should be settled before acting on the specific Renee Street dedication request. The mayor and staff said the Renee Street nomination will be held until the council adopts the ordinance and the application process is made clear.
Ending: Staff said it would prepare a more complete ordinance and return with recommended application fee, waiver policy and sign standards for the next council meeting.
