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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Public Service Award Selection Criteria____________________________________________________________________________________ FOR CITY CLERK ONLY Council Meeting: 04/07/2025 Disposition: Accept report Agenda Item No: 4.d Meeting Date: April 7, 2025 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: City Manager Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk City Manager Approval: ______________ TOPIC: PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEE CRITERIA SUBJECT: REPORT ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEE AND UPDATE ON CHANGES TO THE SELECTION GUIDELINES & CRITERIA RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommend that the City Council accept the report. BACKGROUND: In March 2001, J. Michael Mahoney established an endowment in honor of former Planning Commissioner Richard O’Brien and his wife, Mary Ferrario O’Brien. This endowment funds an annual Public Service Award to recognize an individual in the San Rafael community who has made exceptional contributions to improving the City as a place to live and work. In addition to public recognition, the award includes a cash prize for the recipient. In September 2001, the City Council adopted formal procedures for the Public Service Award program (formerly the Citizen of the Year Award), including the establishment of a Selection Committee responsible for reviewing nominations from the public and recommending a recipient to the City Council. The committee consists of two City Council members: Vice Mayor Maribeth Bushey & Council member Eli Hill, two Planning Commissioners: Samina Saude & Jon Haveman, a member of the O’Brien family: Rick O’Brien, a representative from the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce: Karen Strolia, and neighborhood community representatives: Vickie Hatos. ANALYSIS On March 5, 2025, the Selection Committee convened to review the nomination process and Selection Criteria, making several updates to improve clarity and effectiveness. Key modifications include: •Committee Composition Update: The North San Rafael Coalition of Residents was removed as a participating entity, as the organization is no longer active. •Process Refinements: The option for a tied vote was eliminated to ensure a definitive SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 selection process. • Selection Criteria Enhancements: Language in the criteria was refined to encourage responses that better reflect the qualities sought in award nominees. • Nomination Process Improvements: The questions on the nomination form were reworded to be less formal and more inviting, encouraging broader community participation. Additionally, Mary Ferrario O’Brien’s name was added to the submission form. These updates aim to streamline the selection process, enhance engagement, and ensure that the award continues to highlight individuals who make meaningful contributions to the San Rafael community. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommend that the City Council accept the report. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Selection Committee Guidelines and Criteria (redlined) Richard P. O’Brien and Mary Ferrario O’Brien Public Service Award Selection Committee Guidelines & Criteria Guidelines 1. The Selection Committee shall be composed of two City Councilmembers selected by the Mayor, two Planning Commissioners selected by the Planning Commission chair, Mary O’Brien or a designated family member, the President or designee of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, and a representative of the Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods and a representative of the North San Rafael Coalition of Residents. 2. The Selection Committee shall hold at least one meeting to discuss the qualifications of the award nominees and to select an award winner. 3. Nominees must be current residents of San Rafael. 4. At the committee’s discretion, two outstanding residents may be selected to receive an award in the event of a “tie”, or the award may be given to a group representing a team accomplishment. 5. If a committee member or a family member of any committee member is nominated for an award, then that committee member must withdraw from the committee and that position must be replaced. A committee member may also not be a nominator for the award. 6. Deliberations of the committee are confidential and should not be discussed. This includes any announcement of the award winner, which should be announced by the Mayor. 7. Past recipients of the award are ineligible for future nomination. 8. Selection of the award winner shall be based on the following criteria: a) The significance impact of the individual’s accomplishments, whether past or present; b) The quality, scale and duration of the benefits to the community resulting from the individual’s accomplishments; c) The amount of time and energy, effort and creativity devoted to the community beyond the scope of normal person responsibilities; d) The nature of the obstacles overcome to achieve their accomplishment; challenges faced and overcome by the individual; and e) The extent of previous recognition received by the individual (e.g., the extent to which the nominee is an “unsung hero”). Richard P. O’Brien Public Service Award Nomination Form Nominee: Name: Address: Phone: Nominator: Name: Address: Phone: Selection Criteria: On an attached sheet, please answer as many of the questions below which apply to the candidate you are nominating. Since the committee may not know them personally, please share as many details as you can to highlight their contributions.Please provide as much information as possible to allow the selection committee to make the most informed decision possible. The selection committee may not know the person you are nominating, so please be descriptive in your answers. 1. What contributions has this individual made to the community that are beyond the scope of normal civic responsibilities?What actions or initiatives has this person led or participated in to support our community? 1. 2. What impact on the community did this individual’s activities make? How has this person made a difference?What lasting impact or positive change has resulted from their efforts? 2. 3. Discuss the time and energy this person has devoted to community projects or efforts.In what ways have they shown dedication, creativity, and passion in serving the community? 3. 4. Discuss the challenges met and overcome by this individual.What obstacles did this person experience on their path to achieving this accomplishment, and how did they push through? 4. 5. To what extent has this individual’s efforts been previously recognized by the community?Has this person been recognized for their efforts before? If so, how? Nominations must be returned to the City Clerk’s office and may be submitted in the following formats: In Person Mail Email Lindsay Lara Room 209 1400 Fifth Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 Attn: Lindsay Lara Room 209 1400 Fifth Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 Lindsay.Lara@cityofsanrafael.org Questions may be directed to Lindsay Lara at (415) 485-3065.