City staff introduced a policy to standardize how the city issues ceremonial recognitions — keys to the city, proclamations and certificates of appreciation — and outlined criteria, approval thresholds and timing for issuance.

The draft policy described three forms of recognition: a limited number of "keys to the city" (reserved for extraordinary contributions and typically presented at a city event), proclamations (to highlight local or national awareness dates or to honor organizations and individuals) and certificates of appreciation (for athletes, school groups or other routine honors). Staff recommended that keys require a supermajority (four votes) and be limited in number (staff proposed a cap of five keys annually) and that proclamations be limited per commissioner to prevent overuse (staff proposed up to two proclamations per month per commissioner; commissioners discussed moving to an annual cap instead).

Staff also proposed restrictions to reduce politicization: the draft would generally bar keys from being awarded to current or former elected officials of the city, political candidates or committees, lobbyists, members of the media, for‑profit entities, or anyone with criminal or ethical violations. Commissioners debated several points: some argued former local elected officials should be eligible for ceremonial recognition (one commissioner requested the former mayor receive recognition for his 90th birthday); others favored preserving the restriction to avoid politicizing keys. Commissioners also discussed allowing proclamations to be formally approved in advance by the commission and presented at off‑site events if the body is notified in advance.

Staff said the draft calls for a 30‑day lead time and submission requirements for keys (and a supermajority approval at a commission meeting) and that proclamations would require a simple majority vote. Commissioners asked staff to return with a proposed key design and with recommended numeric limits in annual terms rather than monthly limits so the policy can be applied consistently.

No vote was taken; staff will return with revised language, a proposed key design and recommended annual limits for proclamations and certificates.