Councilors on Oct. 13 reviewed the city’s naming‑rights policy and a separate memorial bench program after staff reported that the existing rules are vague and that historic donations lack consistent documentation.

Community Services Director Chad Merritt said the current policy (last revised 2008) leaves unanswered questions about term length, whether naming rights are perpetual, how contributions are valued, and what happens to a named asset if it is rebuilt or damaged by storms. Merritt told council that many older memorial bench gifts lacked contact information or signed agreements, complicating replacement after Hurricane Ian.

Council discussed policy options Merritt outlined: set a 10‑year guaranteed term for donated benches (with an option to renew), require a written application and agreement for all naming requests, require background checks and letters of reference for facility naming, define exclusions (for example: no renaming of civic core facilities such as City Hall and the pier), and create clear maintenance and replacement obligations and funding pathways.

On the Naples Pier benches specifically, staff said dozens of donor benches were lost in the storm and the pier’s rebuilt design does not accommodate an identical number of individual benches. Council agreed the best immediate approach is to create a single, permanent commemorative plaque on the Pier that lists prior donor names rather than trying to re‑install an identical pattern of individual benches where the new pier configuration will not accommodate them.

Council asked staff to draft a revised memorial-bench application with a standard agreement that includes a term (staff recommended 10 years for coastal benches), a contact requirement and an option to transfer or decline replacement at the end of the term. The council also discussed prohibiting active solicitation for benches and said that any future bench or naming opportunities should follow a predetermined facility plan rather than be placed ad hoc.

Staff will return with a proposed ordinance or policy update and a roster of existing named facilities and agreements for council review.