Introduction
On Jan. 12, 2021, the City Council passed by minute motion a Council Recognition program (Exhibit A), the San Marcos SMILE Award (San Marcos Inspiration, Leadership and Excellence). This program was designed to recognize community members who rise to the top - clearly reflecting the San Marcos ‘Spirit of Service.’
San Marcos Municipal Code section 2.12.040 (a) allows two City Council members or the Mayor to put an item on the City Council agenda for consideration and action. Under this provision, Mayor Rebecca Jones has requested that the City Council consider a new Council policy governing the SMILE Award.
Discussion
This report provides background information on the SMILE Award program, and a proposed Council Policy to formalize the award’s intent and procedures.
Current Process
Five times each year a community member would be chosen by a specific City Council
member to receive recognition during a City Council meeting. The process is as follows: The first recipient would be chosen by the Mayor. The next Council Member’s name would be randomly drawn by the City Clerk Department, and that Council Member would then select the recipient of their choice to recognize at an upcoming meeting. Successive random draws of the names of remaining Council Members would be conducted by the City Clerk Department to determine which Council Member would select the next recipient; this process would be repeated when all Council Members have selected a recipient.
City staff are not involved with the selection of recipients - this award is driven entirely by the City Council.
Recipients of this recognition receive a certificate from the City Council, either in person at a meeting or via mail.
SMILE Award Proposed Policy
Each December, after the regular meeting schedule has been approved, the City Clerk will draw names to establish the order in which the City Council will have the opportunity to recognize a community member and will choose the meeting dates for the five award ceremonies (one for each City Council member), so they are spread out over the calendar year.
The City Councilmember will choose an honoree based on the intent of the award which is to celebrate groups and individuals who have made a positive impact on the San Marcos community. Councilmembers are encouraged to select San Marcos residents; however, non-residents who have made significant impacts to the community are also eligible. City staff shall not be involved in the selection of recipients.
This award is not intended to recognize candidates for public office, officers or employees of a political party, or individuals representing organizations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation, ballot measures, or the election or appointment of public officials.
No later than two weeks before the recognition date, Council Members will submit a photograph and paragraph of up to 400 words explaining the selection.
Awards will be given during the presentations portion of the agenda. The nominating City Councilmember will introduce their honoree and the reasons for the selection. The honoree will then have an opportunity to make remarks of up to three minutes. Afterwards, city staff will distribute a news release announcing the honoree.
Conclusion
Following this policy will ensure the SMILE Award remains a positive, unifying celebration of community service.
Environmental Review
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Sections 15000 - 15387), and is therefore not subject to environmental review pursuant to Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact to adopting this policy.