SANDPOINT — A proposal to name five blocks of Ontario Street for Sandpoint native and NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer may be in the city's future. It is not going to happen this week, however, as was the hope of longtime local businessman and Green Bay Packer fan John Elsa.

"I'm disappointed in the city of Sandpoint not moving forward in honoring one of its most memorable residents," Elsa said, adding that the city "failed to do anything" after Gov. Butch Otter declared Jerry Kramer Day back in August, which he said was "very disappointing."

"Once again they're putting it off," Elsa said.

Elsa contacted city officials last Thursday about either an official street renaming or an honorary street designation of Jerry Kramer Way on Ontario between Boyer and Ella avenues. He asked the city to put it on the agenda for Wednesday, as a documentary crew is in town this week and Elsa heard rumor that Kramer would be in Sandpoint for filming on Friday.

City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton said the city is not taking the request lightly and while it didn't make it onto Wednesday's City Council agenda, the topic will be addressed by Mayor Shelby Rognstad during announcements.

"It's not going to happen this week, which is not taking away from (Kramer's) many accomplishments," Stapleton said.

It was a good suggestion, she said, and in moving forward, the city will look toward a clear process and criteria that can be used for these types of honorary designations for Kramer, as well as other "significant" community members, Stapleton said.

While a number of streets have been named for notable individuals, Stapleton said, Sandpoint has never done an honorary street designation, so there is no guidelines in place for such a request. Council members adopted a strategic plan, and in keeping with those initiatives, Stapleton said it is about having a process with "clearly delineated criteria, rules, equity and fairness."

Some city's across the country have done such designations, she said. Stapleton referenced the city of Chicago and how they handle honorary designations, and said the City Council there adopted an ordinance with a process for honorary street signs. Chicago also has a guide book for people to tour the various designations and learn more about the individuals, she said. This is similar to a walking tour developed by Sandpoint's Historic Preservation Commission, she said.

During Wednesday's meeting, Rognstad will acknowledge the request, Kramer's accomplishments and the documentary being filmed in town. Stapleton said she believes Rognstad plans to direct staff to come up with a criteria and process for recognizing important individuals from the community who make the history books. This could include working with a commission, such as the Historic Preservation Commission, to create a process for street renaming and honorary designations.

Stapleton said there is also the question of whether it should be an official renaming of the street or an honorary designation, which would require discussion among council and community members before a decision is made. If the street were to be officially renamed, it would also require address changes for residents along the street.

Stapleton said the timing of the request also would not allow enough time for the city to have a sign in place or notify the community for a celebration.

"When doing something to recognize an outstanding individual, it really needs to be thought through so that they are given the recognition that they deserve," Stapleton said. "And certainly we appreciate the suggestion by John — it has instigated a whole discussion about something that hasn't been a discussion of recent, nor historically been taken up about 'What is our process? What is our criteria? How do we do things?' Because we've had a lot of notable people in the community over the years."

In his youth, Kramer played football for Sandpoint High School as a three-sport standout for the Bulldogs before heading to play for the University of Idaho. From there he went on to win five NFL championships as an 11 year NFL guard with the Green Bay Packers from 1958-68. Kramer was named to three Pro Bowls, selected All-Pro six times and named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s. Most recently, Kramer was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in August of this year.

In addition to his accomplishments in the NFL, Elsa said Kramer is a motivational speaker, works with Wounded Warriors, goes with vets back to Washington, D.C., and attends charity golf tournaments to raise money for others. In Bonner County, he took part in three fundraisers for the DayBreak Center, Elsa said, helping to raise about $30,000.

Caroline Lobsinger contributed to this report.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.