The Bainbridge City Council passed a new ordinance unanimously that will install a systematic procedure for residents wanting to rename a street.
After the floor was opened to a public hearing about the proposed ordinance and no residents came forward, City Manager Chris Hobby informed the council members about several changes to the proposed ordinance before it came to a quick vote.
The ordinance has several key elements including placing the financial burden of the renaming on the applicant, and a percentage of residents must consent to the decision to change the street.
“We added that the applicant must submit all of the biographical and historical information about the honoree they want to rename the street after,” Hobby said about changes made. “The applicant has to present a written narrative about the honoree and their significance to that particular area and their connection to that street or facility.”
The council also added to the ordinance that the applicants will just pay a one-time application fee rather than waiting to pay for a cost estimate.
“That will help cover the costs of street signage we have to put out, ads we will have to run prior to changing the name and postage to notify residents,” Hobby said.
The ordinance came to a vote and was adopted unanimously.