TAMRMS#: B06
5.1
Information Item Only
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Municipal Naming Policy After Action Review
Presented by: Danielle Littlefair, Financial and Strategic Services, Strategic Business Advisor & Diane McMordie, Managing Director, Corporate and Emergency Services / CFO
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SUMMARY
The Municipal Naming Policy After-Action Review examines the process of reviewing and recommending a name removal application. Overall, the After-Action Review found that the Municipal Naming Policy was followed the first time it was implemented but faced confidence issues among some members of Council and the public. Key concerns identified in the review of the process include differing interpretations of public consultation, potential politicization of the Naming Committee’s role, resource challenges for future applications, and the need to mitigate psychological and physical safety risks. The After-Action Review is being presented to Standing Committee of the Whole to further discuss these findings and gather Council’s feedback on the Municipal Naming Policy.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On March 18, 2025, Council passed the following motion:
AR-25-136
That the name ‘Grandin’ be removed from the neighbourhood known as ‘Grandin’ and all municipal assets, effective September 1, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In July 2024, a proposal to remove the name Grandin from all municipal assets was submitted. The submission of the proposal triggered the Name Removal Criteria and Name Removal/ Renaming Process, as defined by the Municipal Naming policy C-CC-05 and the Municipal Naming Administrative Directive A-P&E-03, to be enacted for the first time.
Following the motion to remove the name Grandin from municipal assets, an After-Action Review of the Municipal Naming Policy was initiated to evaluate the process. This review focuses on the process that was followed by Administration to accept, substantiate, and make a recommendation related to the application in alignment with the relevant policy and administrative directive. It is not intended to focus on the specifics of the application that initiated the process, nor Council’s decision to remove the name Grandin from all municipal assets.
The objectives of the After-Action Review are to:
• Explore the intent of the Municipal Naming Policy against the perceived process outcomes;
• Identify notable findings associated with the name removal and renaming process;
• Facilitate a conversation to understand Council’s perspectives on what aspects of the process worked well, what could be improved, and how the City of St. Albert may approach similar efforts in the future; and
• Provide an overview of the direction provided by the Name Removal Criteria and Name Removal/ Renaming Process compared to the actual steps taken and associated outcomes.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Individuals involved in the Request to Rename Grandin Municipal assets (as part of the Naming Committee, or through their roles as departmental representatives or support) were engaged to gather their input and feedback on the name removal and renaming process.
Engagement activities consisted of a feedback survey administered to all involved individuals, interviews with select members of Administration, and a working meeting to share common insights and findings and validate report contents.
The information gathered during the engagement activities informed the findings shared in the Municipal Naming Policy After-Action Review.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Initiative aligned with Strategic Plan: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Not Applicable
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Report Date: June 10, 2025
Author(s): Danielle Littlefair
Department: Finance and Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher