FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2022
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Recreation and Parks
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION OF SANTA MARIA'S HOMETOWN HEROES
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive a presentation of the Summer 2022 Class of Honorees for the Hometown Heroes program recognizing Santa Maria residents who are actively serving in the military, veterans of the United States military, first responders, or essential workers by displaying a celebratory banner with the honoree's photograph and branch of service.
BACKGROUND:
The Santa Maria Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program was created by collaborative partners: Santa Maria American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars #2521, and the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. Cities across California have similar recognition programs which were used as models for the development of the City's own Santa Maria Style Hometown Heroes. This program began with recognizing active military and veterans of the United States military; however, with the recent and continuing public health epidemic related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the program has expanded to include the City's first responders and essential workers who have worked tirelessly to save lives and keep the City and its residents safe.
DISCUSSION:
In addition to the banner being displayed along south College Road in the Bradley Square area for a six-month period beginning in April 2022, each recipient or their family/sponsor will be provided with a City Council "Certificate of Acknowledgment and Appreciation."
The deadline for nominations for the "Summer 2022 Class of Honorees" was March 18, 2022; recipients will be announced at the April 5, 2022, City Council meeting.
Fiscal Considerations
This is a sponsored program where individual sponsors pay for the banners. There is no direct cost to the City.
Alternatives
The City Council could choose not to recognize the Hometown Hero program at this time.
Impact to the Community
Many communities across the country have developed similar programs to recognize local active and discharged military personnel, veterans, first responders, and essential workers to remind the public of the vital service provided by our neighbors protecting our freedoms, saving lives, and keeping the City and its residents safe from harm on a daily basis.
ALEX POSADA
Director of Recreation and Parks