The Austin City Council is getting its ducks in a row when it comes to a new flood wall plaque program.

Council members are assembling names for people who should serve on a nine-person committee to come together each year and choose residents who have been nominated for the award. The award winners may also get a vote in choosing future winners as well.

Anyone will be able to nominate a current or former resident, but not everyone will be able to serve on the committee. Council members believe the group should serve more as a mayor’s task force rather than a city committee given how important and special the council hopes the plaques will become.

Mayor Tom Stiehm said the committee will be chosen based on people who know much about Austin and its history. However, the mayor encouraged residents to let him know who they feel should serve on the committee. Stiehm will also sit on the committee, but won’t get to vote on nominees.

“We’re trying to make this as uncontroversial as possible,” he said. “We’re keeping this open and transparent.”

The council will likely cement the committee, as well as the nomination process and criteria, over the next few months. Jeff Anderson of Anderson Memorials will also be invited to a future council meeting to discuss what kinds of plaques the city can use to honor residents, which could include digital codes with a description of accomplishments.

If all goes well, the city could start the program next year. City officials say the committee could honor five or more residents during the first year to jump-start the program.

“This is going to be a fun project,” Stiehm said.