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Awards Presented By the City of Santa Clara

"Those Who Inspire" Recognition Award
This award is presented to "community members who distinguish themselves for activity significantly above and beyond the norm of community activism; or individuals who have distinguished themselves in public service to the Santa Clara community, with exceptional performance and leadership under the ideals of the City's Code of Ethics and Values." This award is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not tied to annual recognition or other awards ceremonies.

David Ladd Anderson (PDF)
Emma Kaliterna (PDF)

Neil Henry Recognition Award
This award is presented to someone who "while serving in an official volunteer capacity, distinguishes themselves for activity significantly above and beyond the norm of volunteerism and who, through their own initiative and dedication, have performed exceptional or exemplary long-term service to the community of Santa Clara." This award is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not tied to annual recognition or other awards ceremonies.

Nominate someone for "Those Who Inspire" Recognition Award or Neil Henry Recognition Award.

Business Recognition Program

Awards Received By the City of Santa Clara

2013

California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) presented the City with two awards: the Excellence in Capital Budgeting Award for 2012-2013 (this is the seventh year of receiving this award), and the Excellence in Operational Budgeting Award for 2012-2013 annual budget (this is the thirteenth year in receiving this award). To be awarded these exellence in budgeting awards, a governmental entity must satisfy state and nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
Arbor Day Foundation names the City of Santa Clara Tree City USA. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. This is the 26th year the City has earned the national designation.
Livability.com, a national website that ranks quality of life amenities of America’s small and mid-sized cities, ranks the City #15 and names the City as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live.

2012

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States of Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report year ending June 30, 2011 (2010 – 2011 CAFR). This is the 20^th consecutive year the City has received the GFOA award for its CAFR.
California Municipal Revenue & Taxation Association (CMRTA) presented the City with the 2012 Lighthouse Award for Excellence for the Business Tax Online Renewal Program. The award recognizes and promotes the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions by a local government revenue professional for new technological enhancements that made the city more efficient and resulted in cost savings.
Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal presented the Santa Clara City Council, the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, and the San Francisco 49ers with the 2012 Structures Award in the category of “Most Creative Deal” at an awards dinner held September 27, 2012. The Santa Clara Stadium was honored as one of the best projects in Silicon Valley real estate and development.
Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) presented the City with the Silver Excellence Award for the success of the Santa Clara All Purpose Landfill Gas to Energy Facility (LFGTE). The Santa Clara plant utilizes an otherwise wasted energy resource with a net positive air impact.
Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal presented the Santa Clara City Council, the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, and the San Francisco 49ers with the 2012 Structures Award in the category of “Most Creative Deal” at an awards dinner held September 27, 2012. The Santa Clara Stadium was honored as one of the best projects in Silicon Valley real estate and development.
International Institute of City Clerks (IIMC) presented the City with the Program Excellence in Governance Award for the City Clerk’s Office’s role in creation of the California Ethics and Democracy Project, a consortium of City Clerks and municipalities in the State. The award recognizes the Boards collaboration to create guidelines, best practices and examples of good-government efforts and voter and community engagement programs.
American Public Works Association (APWA) presented the City with the Project of the Year Award for the South of Forest Neighborhood Street Improvement Project. The award recognizes the complexity, innovation and the coordination with several City Departments, outside agencies and residents throughout the design and development of the project. The entire project was completed one year ahead of schedule and under budget.
American Public Power Association (APPA) gives Silicon Valley Power (SVP), the City’s public power utility, the Reliable Public Power Provider Recognition for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service. SVP is one of 176 power utilities, out of our nation’s more than 2,000 public utilities, to earn this recognition. This is the third cycle in which SVP has achieved this recognition which runs for a two-year period.California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) presented the City with two awards: the Excellence in Capital Budgeting Award for 2011-2012 (this is the sixth year of receiving this award), and the Excellence in Operational Budgeting Award for 2011-2012 annual budget (this is the twelfth year in receiving this award). To be awarded these excellence in budgeting awards, a governmental entity must satisfy state and nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC) presented the City the Award of Excellence in Information Technology Practices for 2010/2011. The award acknowledges local government efforts of exemplary performance that exceed industry IT practices.
Santa Clara Methodist Retirement Foundation, Inc., presented to the City a Certificate of Benefactor in appreciation of the City’s funding contribution for solar panel replacement and electrical panel upgrade work at Liberty Tower.

2011

Santa Clara Methodist Retirement Foundation, Inc. presented the City with a Certificate of Benefactor plaque in appreciation of the City’s recent funding contribution for solar panel replacement at Liberty Tower.
California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) for the eleventh year awarded the City with the Excellence in Capital Budgeting Award for the fiscal year 2010-2011 Capital Improvement Project Budget. The CSMFO also awarded the City for the fifteenth year with the Excellence in Operational Budgeting Award for the fiscal year 2010-2011 Annual Budget. This award program is designed for cities with separate document for capital appropriation and improvements. Both awards are the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.
The Housing Trust presented the City the Housing Champion Award plaque for its exemplary support for prevention of youth homelessness, affordable housing development and homeownership.
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors awarded the City a Certificate of Commendation in recognition of its commitment to supporting “Let Move!” America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids.
Sponsored by NICE Systems, the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Finest Communications Director of the Year award was given to John Mills, Communication Operations Manager for his exceptional performance and contributions to the filed of Public Safety Communications.
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States of Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report year ending June 30, 2010 (2010 CAFR). This is the 19^th consecutive year the City has received the GFOA award for its CAFR.
ESource Energy Business Intelligence of Boulder, CO., ranks Silicon Valley Power (SVP) second place in their national customer satisfaction survey. SVP scored well above industry standards in categories including reliability, environmental stewardship and fair treatment of customers.

2010:

Arbor Day Foundation presented the City with the 2010 Sterling Tree City USA award for the past 10 year’s achievement in earning the Tree City USA Growth Award. This marks the 23^rd year the City receives a Tree City USA award from the Arbor Day Foundation.
State Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) awarded the state's first individual Governor's Historic Preservation Award for 2010 to Lorie Garcia, City of Santa Clara Honorary Historian.
Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC) awarded the City's Information Technology Department with two awards: the MISAC Award for Excellence in Information Technology Practices; and the MISAC Quality IT Practices Award 2010.
Liberty Tower gave a Certificate of Recognition to the City's Fire Department's and Police Department's service men and women for their dedicated contributions.
U.S. House Appropriations Committee awarded the City $23,309 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to the Santa Clara Police Department. The grant supports projects that prevent and control crime by improving the quality of frontline law enforcement.
League of American Bicyclists awarded the City with the Bicycle Friendly Community Award certificate and designated the City as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the Bronze level.
U.S. Census Bureau gave a Certificate of Appreciation to the City for its "outstanding efforts" in achieving high participation rates from the community.
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the City's Finance Department a certificate Award of Achievement for Excellenec in Financial Reporting specifically the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2009.
Santa Clara Methodist Retirement Foundation, Inc., presented the City with a Certificate of Benefactor plaque in appreciation of the City’s recent funding contribution for upgrading the television cable network at Liberty Tower at their annual meeting
Library Journal Index of Public Library Service names Santa Clara City Library as a Star Library in its second annual index.
Arbor Day Foundation presented the City with the Tree City USA Recognition Growth Award and congratulated the City for achieving the Tree City USA status. It is the 23^rd year Santa Clara earns this national recognition.
The Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors Inc., presented the City with a certificate for hepling seniors stay independent.
Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR) has, for the eighth time, ranked the Santa Clara City Library among the top 10 public libraries in the nation. This ranking is derived from among the top 100 libraries in the United States.
Silicon Valley Concierge Association (SVCA) named the Santa Clara Convention Center the “Best Event Venue” at their 2010 Hospitality Awards
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) names the City of Santa Clara the Top Green Power Community in the United States the highest ranking in the EPA’s Green Power Communities rankings.
Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) ranks the City’s Silicon Valley Power as fourth in the nation for new solar electric installations.

2009:

Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC) awarded Santa Clara City's Department of Information Technology the 2008/2009 Award of Excellence in Information Technology practices. The award acknowledges local government efforts of exemplary performance that exceed industry IT practices. This is the fourth time that the department has received MISAC's Excellence in Information Technology Practices Award.
Library Journal recognized Santa Clara City Library as being among the Top Public Service Libraries. 7,200 libraries were being considered for this honor.
Esource, a national electric industry research group ranked Silicon Valley Power #1 in a research survey of over 750 major accounts. SVP's Key Customer Representative performance was rated among the best in both satisfaction and value.
Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR) ranked Santa Clara City Library third in the top 10 public libraries in the nation for the population group of 100,000 – 249,999, a total of 337 public libraries nationally. The rating was published in the American Library Association’s public journal. The City of Santa Clara was the only California City placed on this list.
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the City’s Finance Director Mary Ann Parrot a certificate Award of Financial Reporting Achievement for excellence in financial reporting specifically the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 (2008 CAFR). This is the seventeenth consecutive year the City has received the GFOA award for its CAFR.
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented the City with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the year ended June 30, 2008 (this is the seventh consecutive year in receiving this award). To be awarded this certificate, a governmental entity must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report.
Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture presented its 2009 Gold Leaf Award to the City for the 2008 outstanding Arbor Day activities at their 75th Annual Conference and Trade Show.
American Red Cross has selected the City with its inaugural Most Prepared City in Silicon Valley award for its emergency preparedness program, infrastructure and public outreach at their annual Everyday People Real Heroes breakfast.
Arbor Day Foundation presented the City with the Tree City USA Status and Growth Award and gave the City the name of Tree City USA for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program.
Optimist Club of Santa Clara recognized the City’s employees Jim Polizzi and Joseph Bolong from the Fire Department and Dominic Sandoval and Jeff Orlando from the Police Department at their 13th Annual Respect for Law and Fire Award Ceremony.
Aceterra presented the City the Susan Wilson Award for Pollution Prevention/Resource Conservation for our Santa Clara Green Power program at the 2009 Business Environmental Award dinner at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel.
California Municipal Utility Association presented the City with the 2009 community Service/Resource Efficiency Award for its Santa Clara Green Power program. This award gave state wide recognition to the City.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recognized the City as an industry leader in marketing its green pricing program: Santa Clara Green Power.
California Association of Parks & Recreation Commission and Board of Directors (CAPRCBM) recognized City Manager Jennifer Sparacino at their Annual Conference at the Marriott Hotel Santa Clara.
The Heart of the Valley presented the City with a certificate of appreciation at their Annual meeting for volunteer services to seniors in the community.
Santa Clara Methodist Retirement Foundation, Inc., presented a framed Certificate of Benefactor to the City Manager Jennifer Sparacino at their annual meeting for the City’s contribution over the years.

2008:

Arts Walk Santa Clara presented a certificate of gratitude to the City of Santa Clara for their commitment, support, and dedication to the Fine and Performing Arts in the Greater Santa Clara Valley and to thank the City and the Parks and Recreation Department for assistance with the inaugural Arts Walk Santa Clara event in 2007
Northern California Power Association (NCPA) awarded Council Member Pat Kolstad with the Spirit of Public Power” award for his tireless advocacy, his sense of humor, leadership, effectiveness, fairness and respect he brought to NCPA and it’s member communities.
California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) awarded the City of Santa Clara the CASQA award for the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Program’s Trash BMP Tool Box-Structural and Institutional Controls Project. The award was presented on September 23, 2008 at CASQA’s annual conference in Oakland, CA.
Solid Waste Association of North America’s SWANA’s Professional Achievement Awards Program awarded Richard J. Mauck, Director of Streets & Automotive Services the SWANA’s 2008 Robert L. Lawrence Distinguished Service Award at their awards luncheon.
Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) local Northern California chapter awarded the City of Santa Clara the Outstanding Public Agency Award 2007-08 for participation at the International and the local chapter Board and various Committees and for the City’s long-term, on-going support. Dave Staub, Superintendent of Solid Waste, Municipal Member of the Year 2007-08 was awarded for his accomplishments as Chapter Board Director, Chairman of SWANA California Chapters; Western Regional Solid Waste Symposium and Past Chapter President. Richard J. Mauck, Director of Streets & Automotive Services was awarded the SWANA’s 2008 Robert L. Lawrence Distinguished Service Award for service to the Municipal Solid Waste Management field.
Home Builders Association of Northern California, recognized and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Stephanie Gutowski, Staff Analyst, Housing & Community Services, Planning & Inspection Department at their Southern Division’s “Building Better Communities Night” event on October 9, 2008 for her ethics and highest standard of personal and professional conduct.
The Veterans Memorial Committee presented a plaque to the City of Santa Clara at the Veterans Memorial Service on November 11, 2008 thanking them for all they did in establishing the Veterans Memorial located in Central Park.
The California Library Association awarded the City of Santa Clara 3rd place for the California Library Association’s Public Relations Excellence Award for its "Free 2 Succeed at Your Library" campaign
Sustainable Silicon Valley recognized the City of Santa Clara/Silicon Valley Power with an award certificate "for its commitment during 2007 to a sustainable future by pledging to reduce its CO2 emissions and helping the region achieve a 20% reduction by 2010, based on 1990 levels."
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored each of the Santa Clara Valley District districts, including the City of Santa Clara, with a Resolution of Appreciation for the 2007 Water Efficiency Leader award recognizing their efforts in reducing, reusing and recycling water.
National League of Cities honored the City of Santa Clara with a certificate for receiving the 2007 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the category of Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, & Community Involvement recognizing the City of Santa Clara's project, Vote Ethics Campaign, as an innovative and exemplary plan demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the quality of life in our community.
City of Santa Clara has been added to the list of Green power Communities by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Currently only 14 cities (including Santa Clara) meet the US EPA Green Power Partnerships renewable energy supply requirements. Santa Clara is the second largest Green Power Community in terms of population and size of green power commitment. Santa Clara's commitment as a community is 57 million kilowatt-hours annually.
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented the City with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the year ended June 30, 2007 (this is the seventh consecutive year in receiving this award). To be awarded this certificate, a governmental entity must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) presented a plaque to the City of Santa Clara for being recognized as the Best All-Around Pavement Management Program. Out of all the participating agencies within the 9 Bay Area counties, the City of Santa Clara earned a multi-year average PCI of 84, indicating "very good" roads by the MTC – far above the all agency average score of 64.
American Public Power Association (APPA) awarded the City of Santa Clara's electric utility, Silicon Valley Power (SVP) the Energy Innovator Award and presented the award at the 2008 APPA Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The award is in recognition of SVP’s Outreach to Underserved Customers.
Golf Digest Magazine 2008-2009 edition of 'Best Places to Play' rated Santa Clara Gold & Tennis Club a 3 on a 5-Star rating scale which translates into an "Excellent" category.

2007:

Cal-ICMA publication featured Santa Clara's "Leadership in the 21st Century" as example of programs that help local governments prepare the next generation of workers for successful government management program
Santa Clara ranked 6th in all North America for best cities with WI FI
National Arbor Day Foundation presented Santa Clara as "2006 Tree City USA Award" and "Growth Award" (20th consecutive year)
National Environmental Excellence Award from the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) for Educational Excellence recognizing the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program for the Watershed Watch Campaign
International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) Inaugural Program Excellence in Governance Award for Innovative Outreach to Citizens Category for Council goal to "elevate the Ethics and Values Program to the Next Level" 2006 Vote Ethics Program
California Integrated Waste Management Board presented the WRAP Award (Waste Reduction Awards Program) to the Santa Clara Convention Center for conserving resources and reducing waste
Time Magazine listed the City of Santa Clara as the 10th Safest City in the nation in its population group.
The City's 2006 Vote Ethics Program won the 2007 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence in the Public Affairs Category-Government. The award was presented by the Public Relations Society of America.
An Award of Distinction was presented by the City Clerks Association of California for the Voter Outreach Program. The award was presented to the City Clerk but was also in recognition of the innovative work by City Manager's Office and City Clerk's Office on the 2006 Vote Ethics Program.
A Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting presented by the Government Finance Officers Association for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
The prestigious Helen Putnam Award was presented by the League of California Cities for the 2006 Vote Ethics Campaign Program. The Grand Prize Winner award was presented in the "Enhancing Public Trust and Community Involvement" category.
The Sister Cities International recognized the Santa Clara Sister Cities Association for the September 11, 2007 concert series.
Sustainable Silicon Valley recognized the City of Santa Clara for its commitment to reduce Green House Gas Emissions at City Hall facilities and government vehicle fleet.
U.S. Department of Energy presented the "Green Power Leadership Award, Green Power Program of the Year", to Silicon Valley Power for their Green Power Program.
Bill Wilson Center presented "Community Championship" Award to the City for its dedicated support to the Center programs.

Prior Awards Received by City of Santa Clara (partial list)

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