2.97.010 Purpose and introduction.
A. The city may, from time to time, decide to install permanent monuments on city property to provide the city’s commemoration of persons or events of note, or to otherwise convey the city’s position on various topics (referred to as “government speech”). The city retains, in its sole discretion, the rights to control the message of monuments in its city parks and on its public property. An application form shall be available from the city clerk and from the parks department for use by private individuals, groups and entities who wish to request placement of monuments in city parks or on city property.
B. By placing monuments on city property, the city intends only to engage in government speech and does not intend to open a public forum for free speech activity.
C. The purpose of this chapter is to establish criteria and guidelines for the consideration and installation of monuments on city-owned property deemed by the city to be appropriate to serve as the site for a monument. In doing so, the city recognizes the following considerations:
1. Monuments can convey a powerful connection between Auburn and its history, and in some instances its future.
2. It is therefore important that the placement of monuments be limited to circumstances of the highest community-wide importance, both to maintain the significance of such monuments and to minimize conflicts with the active and variable use of public spaces.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the city may decide, in its sole discretion, to reject a proposal for a monument and/or may determine the appropriate site for any and all city monuments. (Ord. 6480 § 1, 2013.)