The City of Yorkton will be consolidating and expanding the awards it may bestow upon local citizens after a decision by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.
鈥淭he Citizen Recognition Awards (CRA) Committee was established in January 2018 in efforts to revitalize the City of Yorkton鈥檚 Meritorious Service Awards Policy which had a purpose to establish criteria for recognizing citizens to be presented with a civic award, new awards as well as special Saskatchewan Centennial awards for 2005,鈥� explained Jessica Matsalla 鈥� Director of Legislation and Procedures, with the City at the meeting.
The original policy, created in May of 2005, set terms of reference for calling nominations for Awards for a citizen鈥檚 awards and Youth Citizen Award.
鈥淭he Meritorious Service Award policy sat stagnant for many years when in 2017, it was reviewed and revised into what is now the Citizen Recognition Awards Policy. The revised policy offers more breadth to process for the same basic concept, including the nomination criteria, timelines, and provision of a panel to adjudicate nominations,鈥� said Matsalla.
As a result revisions and consolidation were being suggested.
鈥淚n February 2019, the Citizen Recognition Awards Committee held the first celebration for winners of the Citizen Recognition Awards for the year 2018,鈥� said Matsalla.
鈥淒uring the nomination period, and adjudication process, the CRA Committee suggested that a group category be added to for recognition of a group within the community that has contributed towards the betterment of the city.
At a meeting of the CRA Committee on Monday, September 23, 2019, it was suggested that a third plaque could be prepared for this, which would have award winners鈥� names inscribed on a plate to remain at City Hall. In addition to that plaque, the award winning group would be presented with a plaque to take back to their respective meeting places.
Upon reviewing the Citizen Recognition Award policy, Administration recognized that the Certificate of Achievement (COA) Policy, created in 1991 and last revised in May 2015 had never been used.
The policy was developed to provide the Mayor and City Council with a meaningful and enduring way to recognize citizens of extraordinary achievement. Yorkton residents who achieve international, national or provincial excellence in business, education, academics, science and technology, community service, the arts or sports may be considered for this special honour.
Matsalla said there is now an opportunity to let the new committee do more.
鈥淏ecause Council has appointed the CRA Committee to adjudicate the Citizen Recognition Awards, it may be appropriate for the same committee to be responsible for review and adjudication of the Certificates of Achievement as well. Since the COA policy revision in 2015, there have not been any Certificates of Achievement handed out to date. Both policies are geared towards recognition of excellence and contribution within the City of Yorkton. Therefore, should聽 City Council approve the CRA Committee to be the adjudicating body for the Certificate of Achievement nominations, it is recommended by Administration that these policies be combined, and re-named 鈥淐ivic Recognition Awards.鈥� Having Certificate of Achievement nominations adjudicated at the CRA Committee level would provide an efficient way to manage nominations for both sets of recognitions, and help to centralize and streamline the process for this,鈥� she detailed.
The Certificate of Achievement nominations would be accepted at any time by the City Clerk鈥檚 office and upon receipt, a CRA Committee meeting would be called in order to review and recommend approval to City Council.
The changes were unanimously supported by Council.
