Fife council approves park-naming resolution, holds first reading on park interior naming-rights policy; splash pad sponsor announced

The Fife City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Monday naming the 7.25-acre park property on 70th Avenue East “Salzmann Park” and gave first reading to an ordinance (No. 2138) that would add a formal process for sponsorships and naming rights for interior park features.

The action recognizes a land gift from the estate of Georgine Salzmann and opens a new revenue path for park projects. Assistant City Manager Megan Gendrick told council members the naming-rights policy is intended to help the city score higher on competitive grant applications by demonstrating community partnerships and matching commitments.

Gendrick summarized the proposed ordinance, which would add a sixth criterion allowing “a sponsorship or naming right granted under a formal agreement with the city,” provided the naming follows the city’s interior feature naming policy, is approved by council, and meets standards on signage, term limits and community standards. She said proceeds from any program would be placed in the city’s park capital fund (referred to in the packet as the park acquisition fund) to support future park development and projects.

Gendrick answered council questions about process and safeguards. She said the policy includes existing restrictions to exclude sponsors whose activities conflict with city values and that signage standards would follow established park-sign conventions (examples shown in staff slides). The draft also provides that sponsorship proposals would be reviewed by the Parks, Recreation and Aquatics Department and recommended to the Parks Advisory Board prior to council consideration when applicable.

During council discussion, Gendrick described how grant scoring for a recent playground application showed room for improvement in the “project engagement/partnership” category. She told council the draft naming-rights program is designed to build documented partnerships and help secure matching funds on future grant rounds.

The council approved the ordinance’s first reading by voice vote. Council Member Fagundes moved for first reading; Council Member Holsey seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Council members then considered and unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2201 naming the 70th Avenue property Salzmann Park. Gendrick said the Salzmann family asked only that the family name be included; the Parks Advisory Board recommended the single-word park name Salzmann Park in its April 2 recommendation letter included in the packet.

Gendrick also announced that the city has secured a title sponsorship for the splash pad at the old cannery site (the forthcoming Fife splash pad). She said the sponsor — a well-known Pierce County business based in Sumner — has agreed a five‑year sponsorship at $30,000 per year with cost escalators. A ribbon-cutting and formal sponsorship agreement will be presented to council at a future meeting.

A member of the public, Nicholas Carlson (Fife resident), offered one brief comment during the ordinance hearing pointing out grammatical issues in the ordinance language; staff acknowledged the comment and indicated edits could be made for clarity.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (payroll, claims and minutes): Motion passed unanimously. Payroll and benefits: $743,348.17. Claim vouchers and checks: $2,551,694.30. ACH transactions: $194,661.91. Motion to approve consent agenda by Council Member Wolfram; second by Council Member Hulsey. Passed unanimously. - Ordinance No. 2138 (first reading) — amendment to Fife Municipal Code to adopt a park interior naming-rights policy (adds sponsorship/naming-rights provision): motion for first reading by Council Member Fagundes; second by Council Member Holsey. Passed on first reading (voice vote, unanimous). - Resolution No. 2201 — naming of park located at 3408 70th Avenue East as Salzmann Park: motion by Council Member Wolfram; second by Council Member Holsey. Adopted unanimously.

Why it matters: Council members said the naming-rights policy is intended both to preserve community values (with screening criteria) and to create a reliable, policy-driven approach to attracting private funds for park projects. Staff framed the policy as a tool to improve competitive grant scoring by documenting partnerships and matching funds.

What’s next: Ordinance No. 2138 will return for subsequent readings as required; a formal sponsorship agreement and ribbon-cutting for the splash pad sponsor will be brought to the council in a future meeting. The Salzmann Park name is effective immediately as adopted by resolution; staff will begin next steps in acquiring and integrating the parcel into park planning.