Resolution
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
COMMENDING MARK VAN DE KAMP
PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGER
FOR HIS NEARLY 22 YEARS
OF EXEMPLARY PUBLIC SERVICE
WHEREAS, Mark van de Kamp has worked for the residents of Santa Maria for nearly 22 years, continually finding opportunities to lift others and the City organization by listening, supporting , and contributing extra effort; and
WHEREAS, following a 17 -year award-winning newspaper career as a writer and editor where he met people from all walks of life, in March 2004 Mark joined the City Manager’s Office as the organization’s first Management Analyst, and was eventually promoted to become its first Public Information Manager; and
WHEREAS, to strengthen transparency and t rust, he coordinated City departments’ bilingual communications across a variety of platforms ; provided accurate resources, and institutional and budgetary knowledge; elevated the quality of City budget documents to earn mu ltiple national awards, was instrumental in launching the City on social media and television; coordinated the website; helped coordinate the Smart City, Safe City campaign; and led his team to usher in live captioning in English and Spanish for public meetings; and
WHEREAS, to maintain and enhance City services, he volunteered twice as co -chair of both successful Measure U sales tax add-on campaigns approved by voters in 2012 and 2018; and
WHEREAS, to help the community and mentor the next generation of City staff and leadership, Mark has volunteered as Secretary for Serve Santa Maria; led the City’s Census outreach in 2010 and 2020 to ensure a more complete count and representation ; Chaired the UCSB Economic Forecast Project North County Board of Directors; was founding President of the City Slickers Toastmasters Club and its first Distingu ished Toastmaster (DTM); a past President of the Central Coast Literacy Council and its first Lifetime Literacy Champion; is the City liaison for the Tourism and Marketing District; served on other boards; and organized many blood drives, United Way campaigns, and hosted tours of the historic Santa Maria City Hall; and
WHEREAS, Mark will retire on December 27th, and the Santa Maria City Council wishes to recognize him for his outstanding dedication and impactful contributions to the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED on this 2nd day of December 2025, by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, as follows:
MARK VAN DE KAMP, PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGER
is hereby recognized and commended for his dedicated service and his significant contributions to the Santa Maria community and wishes him and his wife Rina well in all their future endeavors.
Mayor Alice M. Patino Mayor Pro-Tem Carlos Escobedo
_______ ________________________________
Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez Councilmember Gloria Soto ___________________________
Councilmember Gloria Flores