Agenda #: 7.2
Meeting Date: February 20, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: ADDITIONAL CITY COUNCIL RECOGNITION OPTIONS.
STRATEGIC
GOAL: Open, Engaged & Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and provide direction as deemed appropriate.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
At the February 6, 2024 meeting, Mayor Liu proposed that the City Council consider recognizing community members and organizations that positively contribute to the City at Council meetings on a more regular basis. Based on consensus of the Council, this item has been placed on the agenda for further consideration and discussion.
By way of background, the City Council has established a formal Recognition Policy dating back to 1990, and was last updated in 2019. A copy of City Council Policy 2019- 02 is included in Attached 1 for reference. The Recognition Policy actively seeks to recognize noteworthy contributions and achievements of individuals and organizations that benefit the community. The Recognition Policy sets standards and criteria for such recognition including applicability, and the types of recognition whether by Certificate, Certificate Plaque, Proclamation, City tile or other forms of special recognition. Policy Section 3.1.3 indicates that: “Recognition may be only issued to individuals, organizations or businesses that have a clear nexus to Diamond Bar.” Requests for City Council recognition can be made on-line by members of the public and are approved at the discretion of the Mayor (Policy Section 3.1.1) provided they are consistent with the Policy. In some instances, requests come directly through individual Council Members and are coordinated with the Mayor for approval.
Over the past two years (2022 & 2023), a total of 508 Certificates, 46 Certificate Plaques, and 24 Proclamations have been issued. Many of the Certificates were presented at functions or events other than City Council meetings. However, the following is a list of those individuals or groups recognized at a Council meeting:
• Through My Lense Photo Contest Winners (2022 & 2023)
• Diamond Bar Girls Softball 10U All-Stars (2023)
• Diamond Bar Girls Softball 8U All-Stars (2023)
• Western States Champions Diamond Bar AYSO 14U Girls Team (2023) • VEX IQ Robotics World Championship (2023)
• American Association of University of Women Speech Trex Contest Winners (2023)
• Commemorating 70 years of service to the Greater Los Angeles Couty Vector Control District (2022)
• Armando Macias for reaching 100 Years of Age (2022)
The City has also established other recognition programs which include:
• Outstanding Volunteer Award Program - The Outstanding Volunteer Award Program recognizes the volunteer efforts of those individuals, groups, organizations and businesses that help improve the lives of community members. Nominations for this award are solicited from the community at large.
Award recipients are recognized at the City’s Birthday celebration, or the Winter SnowFest in alternate years. The nomination period is currently open through March 18, 2024 and can be made on the City’s website, with awards to be presented at the City’s 35th Birthday Celebration on April 6, 2024. • Veterans Recognition - As part of the Annual Veterans Celebration in November each year, the City recognizes and pays tribute to our local veterans, including special recognition and video highlights featuring several local veterans.
DISCUSSION:
The following options are offered to help frame the discussion and possible Council direction:
• Continue to work within Recognition Policy 2019-02. Each Council Member can request the Mayor to approve Certificates, Certificate Plaques, and Proclamations consistent with such Policy, and for such recognition to be presented at a Council Meeting. Council Members are encouraged to coordinate such recognition with staff for scheduling at an upcoming meeting which can be balanced throughout the year.
• Provide direction to develop additional opportunities for recognition as deemed appropriate.
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 7.2.a 2019-02 Recognition Policy