Belvedere honors former council member as citizen of year

Belvedere has honored Nancy Kemnitzer, a former member of the City Council, as its 2025 “citizen of the year.”

The city recognized Kemnitzer at its 46th annual meeting on Jan. 27, citing her 18 years of public service, including 10 years on the Planning Commission and eight years on the council.

“It’s bestowed by a committee of all the former citizens of the year — that’s who decides the recipient — and I respect all of those people,” she said. “And they’re my friends and longtime neighbors.”

Kemnitzer moved to Belvedere in 1986 and became a planning commissioner in 2006. She was elected to the City Council in 2016 and was mayor from July 2019 to December 2020.

As part of the award, the city recognized Kemnitzer for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also recognized her contributions on climate issues at the city and county levels.

“She guided us through COVID during her time as mayor, and played a major role in shaping our Climate Action Plan and the Age-Friendly Belvedere initiative,” Mayor Sally Wilkinson said in an email. “Personally, what I appreciated most as a colleague was her sharp legal mind and rigorous analysis, which she applied to every issue and often raised points I would have missed.”

During the pandemic, Kemnitzer used demographic information to determine what residents might need. She found that 250 people were living alone, and she understood that seniors were particularly vulnerable.

“I felt that the 250 people living alone might be most at risk from isolation during this time,” she said. “I knew that they would have special needs.”

Kemnitzer created a Zoom group from her Age Friendly Belvedere email list. With the aid of a psychologist, Kemnitzer determined that those living in isolation would benefit from interacting with three or more people a week. She set up a phone tree for those residents to connect with each other and started a newsletter to help disseminate updated medical information.

“On the Council itself, and in every interaction with City staff, Nancy was a tremendous leader and motivator,” Councilmember Peter Mark said in an email. “She has a remarkable ability to bring people together, listen thoughtfully, and turn discussion into meaningful action.”

Kemnitzer said what kept her motivated over the 18 years was a drive to preserve, protect and enhance the community. She also felt consistently encouraged by the city’s strong sense of volunteerism.

“Really what inspired me and kept me going was that I did not do this alone,” she said, “Every effort was teamwork and it was teamwork with wonderful people who felt the same way as I did about having community here in Belvedere.”