FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Recreation and Parks
SUBJECT: DESIGNATE DOWNTOWN PLAZA AS TERESA MACHADO PLAZA RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution adding Teresa Machado to the resource list from which City facilities are named and designating Chapel Street Plaza as Teresa Machado Plaza.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Santa Maria Park and Facility Naming Procedure allows for the dedication and naming of newly acquired or developed unnamed park and recreation facilities for living persons, based on at least one of the following criteria:
1. The honoree contributed a cash or in -kind donation that without the contribution or donation the project would not have been able to be completed.
2. The honoree initiated and contributed a significant amount of time to the establishment and development of the project.
3. The overwhelming belief (public opinion) that the honoree would likely be honored posthumously with a park or facility being named after them.
4. The honoree has given extraordinary service to the City and the community.
5. The honoree has attained national or international prominence and achievement.
It is recommended that the newly constructed Plaza on Chapel Street be named after former City Employee, Teresa Machado (Reyburn) based on criteria 3 and 4 above.
DISCUSSION:
Teresa began her enthusiastic service with the City of Santa Maria as a Recreation Leader in the Recreation and Parks Department on May 9, 1979.
Over the following 39 years, Teresa developed her skills as a recreation professional resulting in her promotion to Recreation Program Coordinator and then to Facility Manager of the Veterans' Memorial Community Center.
Director of Recreation and Parks
Teresa was promoted to new positions in the Human Resources Division and then to the Utilities Department where she served as Business Services Manager.
Teresa returned to the Recreation and Parks Department as the Recreation Services Manager in 2011. In this role, she expanded after -school and summer youth programs, and initiated the City's first Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Teresa freely shared her experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm with her staff developing leaders for the future.
The Machado family came to the Santa Maria Valley in the early 1900s from the Azores and were well-known dairy and cattle ranchers in the Valley. Teresa attended St. Mary's School and graduated from Santa Maria High School. An avid entertainer and guitar player since her youth, Teresa would often perform at local venues, churches, and weddings.
Teresa's legacy includes being a leader in the successful 1998 All -America City designation granted by the National Civic League and assisting in the development of the 2017 Mayor's Task Force on Youth Safety initiative.
Shannon Seifert, CEO, of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA said, "Teresa served in the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary (SMBR) and was the key liaison with the City of Santa Maria for the annual Parade of Lights, as well as a myriad of other community partnerships with SMBR. Teresa's service brought the City and community together in ways that benefited all. The SMBR volunteered for 15 years to serve at the Special Olympics dinner the City used to conduct at the Veteran's Memorial Community Center. This was all due to Teresa's remarkable relationship -building skills and her willingness to reciprocate. Teresa also chose to serve on the Santa Maria Valley YMCA Board of Directors and, once again, was a key link between the City and a fellow community partner. Her hard work for the City was mirrored by the energy she put into bringing us all together for a greater good." Teresa retired from City service on December 28, 2018.
Fiscal Considerations:
Signage for the Plaza would be paid for using the current budget.
Alternatives:
The alternatives to designating the Chapel Plaza as the Teresa Machado Plaza would be to not name the park at this time and push the decision to a future date or wait for another name to be added to the resource list.
Impact to the Community:
Naming/dedicating Chapel Plaza as Teresa Machado Plaza enhances the values and heritage of the City of Santa Maria and is compatible with community interest. In addition, the locati.. .. : - easily identified as to the function and provides recognition of Teresa's achie ments of c nits c• tribution.
2 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA ADDING TERESA
MACHADO TO THE RESOURCE LIST FROM WHICH CITY
FACILITIES ARE NAMED AND DESIGNATING CHAPEL STREET
PLAZA AS TERESA MACHADO PLAZA
WHEREAS, for nearly 40 years Teresa Machado enthusiastically served the City's residents working in Recreation and Parks, Human Resources, and the Utilities Department; and
WHEREAS, Teresa Machado's legacy includes being a leader in the successful 1998 All -America City effort from the National Civic League and assisting in the development of the 2017 Mayor's Task Force on Youth Safety Initiative; and WHEREAS, Teresa Machado served the residents of the City of Santa Maria as a community volunteer and service club member; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Commission, after reviewing the nomination materials, has concluded that Teresa Machado has met the criterion to be added to the resource list from which City facilities are named; and WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Commission recommends that the new plaza be named Teresa Machado Plaza.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California,
1. That Teresa Machado's name shall be added to the resource list from which City facilities are named, and that the plaza on Chapel Street is designated as:
TERESA MACHADO PLAZA
recognizing Teresa Machado for her dedicated service to the residents of the City of Santa Maria, and her leadership and countless contributions to the community.
2. That the Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary. /1/
11/
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 17th day of January 2023.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Department Director
Ciy Man ger