City of Anaheim COUNCIL POLICY
Subject: Recognitions and City Proclamations Policy # 1.10 Adopted Date: 12/19/17
Amended: 08/28/18
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A. PURPOSE
Proclamations and certificates of recognition are ceremonial documents issued by the City of Anaheim and signed by the entire City Council to honor and celebrate events, observances or individuals in order to increase the public awareness of noteworthy causes or actions that enhance our community. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines and criteria for properly recognizing activities and individuals that are significant to the City of Anaheim. This policy also provides procedures that address how to process requests for proclamations and certificates of recognition, while defining those types of events and activities that are not eligible.
A proclamation is a ceremonial document issued by the City Council to commemorate a specific observance (day, week, or month) for the purpose of honoring, celebrating or creating awareness of an event, important milestone or an exemplary individual in Anaheim. A certificate of recognition is also a ceremonial document issued by the City Council to Anaheim individuals, businesses, or organizations recognizing group achievements and/or milestones that are significant to the Anaheim community.
B. CRITERIA
In order to qualify for recognition by either proclamation or certificate of recognition from the City of Anaheim, the following criteria have been established:
Proclamations or certificates of recognition must relate specifically to an interest of the residents of the City of Anaheim and have a nexus to events or achievements occurring within the City of Anaheim;
Proclamations and certificates of recognition may be adopted to recognize the achievements of individuals or groups with an Anaheim connection or to support and recognize the philanthropic works of those local individuals or groups;
Proclamations and certificates of recognition may be adopted for annual observances that raise public awareness on important initiatives that are of interest to the Anaheim community.
Proclamations or certificates of recognition will not be issued for:
Political Campaigns of any kind;
Events or organizations with no direct relationship to the City of Anaheim; Events contrary to City policies or any applicable law or regulation; Campaigns intended for profit-making purposes;
Attempts to influence government policy;
Certain holidays that don’t require independent recognition (Independence Day, Thanksgiving, etc.).
City of Anaheim COUNCIL POLICY
Subject: Recognitions and City Proclamations Policy # 1.10 Adopted Date: 12/19/17
Amended: 08/28/18
Page (2) of (3)
C. PROCEDURES
City Council members may request a proclamation or certificate of recognition to be placed on a future agenda per council policy 1.6 as long as it meets the criteria set forth in this policy. The proclamation or certificate of recognition will not be signed or scheduled for distribution until it is formally approved by the City Council. City staff may also initiate placing a proclamation or certificate of recognition on a council agenda for consideration.
Anaheim citizens and organizations can also request proclamations or certificates of recognition directly through the City Council Office. Requests must be transmitted to the city at least a month in advance of the desired completion date. All outside requests shall include either a sample proclamation to be used as a guide or shall provide sufficient information to assist the City Council Office in preparing the proclamation. It is important to note that these requests will be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration and approval and does not guarantee that a request will be approved by the City Council.
By default, all approved proclamations and certificates of recognition will be provided to an individual or organization either at an event, via the mail, or during the “Acceptance of Other Recognitions” portion of a City Council Meeting. The Mayor shall approve special requests to provide a proclamation or certificate of recognition via formal presentation during a City Council meeting.
D. LIST OF ANNUAL RECURRING RECOGNITIONS
The City Council shall establish a list of annual recurring recognitions that will be approved each December. Each observance that is included on the list must meet the criteria as established by this policy. At the conclusion of each year, staff will provide a draft list to council for their approval and attempt to include other appropriate proclamations and recognitions that were approved throughout the year.
Recognitions that are pre-approved via the annual list will not require separate council action in order to gather signatures and prepare for distribution. However, staff will not prepare a proclamation or seek council signatures unless there is a local entity or individual that has expressed an interest in receiving the recognition. These requests must be received by city staff no later than two weeks prior to the appropriate council meeting or recognition event.
City Council members may utilize other methods to acknowledge outstanding achievement or key milestones within the community without seeking formal council approval. Individual council members may provide a certificate of recognition to an individual or organization with their own signature only. Further, council members can provide personalized letters to individuals and organizations on their city letterhead. Both of these alternatives allow City Council Members to
City of Anaheim COUNCIL POLICY
Subject: Recognitions and City Proclamations Policy # 1.10 Adopted Date: 12/19/17
Amended: 08/28/18
Page (3) of (3)
expeditiously recognize individuals and groups, as opposed to the more formal requirements of proclamations and certificates of recognition that are signed by the entire City Council.
Reference: Resolution No. 2017-187
Resolution No. 2018-121