Vancouver city council is scheduled to discuss expanding which city-owned assets can be renamed by private sponsors Tuesday.
On the agenda for the next council meeting Tuesday morning is a recommendation by city staff to rescind the 2006 Naming Rights Policy and the 2019 Sponsorship Policy and implement a new framework for both.
A report by city staff claims their proposal will “optimise non-tax revenue and value-in-kind benefits to support city facilities, infrastructure, programs, and services.”
The proposal says the 2006 Naming Rights Policy limits the type of potential assets and eligible sponsors and requires a lengthy approval process. It says the 2019 Sponsorship Policy has “advanced any new, substantial corporate sponsorship opportunities” since it was approved by council.
“The proposed new policy applies to a broader range of city-owned assets and programs — including real property, services, publications, vehicles, and digital platforms — to maximize revenue generation opportunities,” the report said.
City staff explicitly say the expanded scope will not include the following:
- Assets managed by the Vancouver Police Department,
- Vancouver Public Library,
- General naming of streets and parks,
- City Hall,
- Senior government funding programs,
- Neighbourhood groups, service clubs, non-profit community organizations, or agencies that provide continuous support and leadership to city programs, services, facilities donations or gifts.
The proposal includes that the City Manager will be authorized to approve sponsorship agreements up to $3 million, and a City Manager designate will approve agreements up to
$50,000 — But “naming rights are subject to approval by council.”
Staff acknowledge that “the sponsorship solicitation process will likely be quicker and have less administrative burden, but may expose the city to reputational or legal risk arising from non-competitive sponsorship solicitations.”
They claim the new proposal aligns closely with ethical standards for renaming as outlined in the 2019 Sponsorship Policy.
As the Kitsilano Pool underwent repairs this summer, Mayor Ken Sim and Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung motioned that the city consider it a “prime, priority sponsorship opportunity.”
Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m.