REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Recommend a Nominee(s) as the 2025 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
Report
BACKGROUND
Each year, the City of Santa Clara hosts a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Central Park on the first Friday evening in December. For 2025, the event will take place on Friday, December 5. This ceremony is intended to open the holiday season in the spirit of community service.
To that end, a traditional component of the ceremony has been to recognize a Santa Clara individual, family, or business as the honorary “Holiday Tree Lighter”. As a function of the Parks and Recreation Department, the Department has traditionally asked the Parks and Recreation Commission to help identify and recommend to the Mayor a nominee (or nominees) for this honor. In addition to serving as the official Holiday Tree Lighter, the selected nominee(s) will receive a commendation during the event to recognize and thank them for their service to the Santa Clara community.
DISCUSSION
As noted above, the Holiday Tree Lighter is to be selected based on their service, generosity, and contributions to the City of Santa Clara. As such, the Commission should consider the following in evaluating potential nominees:
1. Is the nominee a resident of the City of Santa Clara?
2. What is the nature of the community service/community benefit that has been provided?
A list of prior nominees is enclosed as Attachment 1. At the October meeting the Commission will make a recommendation of the nominee(s) for the 2025 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter which will be forwarded to the Mayor for consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission’s agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at 408-615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend a nominee(s) to serve as the 2025 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter.
Staff
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Damon Sparacino, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter List 2008 to 2024