A brief agenda for the Riverbank City Council last week started off with a surprise recognition of an employee.

Just after the roll call, flag salute and other beginning activities, Mayor Richard D. O’Brien interjected an unscheduled presentation for City Manager Marisela Garcia. It was a surprise, because O’Brien managed to sneak it by her, since she’s in charge of overseeing the assembly of the agenda for each meeting.

The mayor and council had prepared a special certificate to present to her, a Recognition of Achievement.

The citation reads “Proudly presented to Marisela H. Garcia. It is both the quality of work and of your heart that make you a great role model and an invaluable individual to the City of Riverbank. Today, (Oct. 25), you are celebrated for everything you have accomplished!”

The citation recognizes Garcia for her 25 years of service to the citizens of Riverbank, working with city hall.

First, she became an aide in the Recreation Department, while still a student. Then, she worked in the Finance Department, ultimately becoming its director. Garcia had served as interim city manager twice before, a few months in 2016 and more recently, after Sean Scully left the post.

And she served as Scully’s assistant city manager while he was here. She was named Riverbank City Manager at the April 12, 2022, council meeting.

Garcia was raised in Riverbank, going through the school system here, and staying local while attending college.

In other business at the meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Sue Fitzpatrick proposed to the council that a new park/basin being added to the Diamond Bar East development near Riverbank High School be named Bruin Park.

She noted that the move would come just after the council named the first park to be built in Crossroads West Centennial Park. And the last park dedicated in town was Countryside Park, south of the high school, on Sept. 17.

The council adopted the proposal, 4-0, then Fitzpatrick added that she thought the city should draft a list of prospective names for upcoming parks, to make the naming process easier.

The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, Nov. 8, election day, but the Nov. 22 meeting has been canceled for the Thanksgiving holiday.