Council approves supplemental bridge agreement and opens discussion on naming rights

Augusta— The City Council approved Supplemental Agreement No. 3 to Agreement No. 01823 concerning the city's responsibilities for the Red Bud (transcribed also as "Redbed") Trail Bridge over U.S. 54 and held a preliminary discussion about naming rights after staff disclosed an unsolicited donor offer.

Staff said the bridge is the city's responsibility and that the supplementals outline maintenance and operational duties such as monitoring embankments and snow removal on sidewalks. After describing previous supplemental agreements with similar maintenance language, staff answered council questions and moved approval of Supplemental Agreement No. 3; the motion passed by voice vote.

Separately, staff reported that ARDY (the nonprofit partner working on trail buildout) had received an unsolicited $100,000 offer from an anonymous donor who requested naming rights in exchange for the contribution to finish the trail. Staff suggested establishing a formal naming-rights process similar to models used by larger venues (time-limited agreements, contracts with right-of-refusal language, or multi-year naming contracts) and recommended a work session or policy development so the city can respond to donors while protecting community standards.

Council directed staff to express interest to the donor and to create a formal process for naming proposals to ensure appropriateness and clarity on terms; council members suggested a right-of-refusal and reviewed examples such as arena naming contracts that include time limits and payment schedules.