MEETING DATE:
November 10, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
CITY COUNCIL POLICY NO. 2025-14- POLICY FOR THE COUNCIL RECOGNITION (SMILE) AWARD PROGRAM
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
CONSIDER adopting a policy to clarify the SMILE Award program.
Body
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...
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