Learn about city government from the inside in Snoqualmie’s Citizens Academy, starting Sept. 7
Published 5:24 pm Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Snoqualmie’s new session of the Snoqualmie Citizens Academy starts Wednesday, Sept. 7.
This seven-week course, free to residents, is an introduction to how city government works. Sessions are led by Snoqualmie city leaders, officials and department heads. Classes are informal and interactive. Some will include a tour of the facilities.
Sessions are generally 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Snoqualmie City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie, with the exception of the police services session, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Snoqualmie Police Station, 34825 S.E. Douglas St, Snoqualmie.
The opening session, Sept. 7, will cover the history of the city, presented by Dave Battey, the city’s official historian. Then, Mayor Matt Larson will talk about “A Political Perspective,” after which participants will join a mock city council meeting, let by City Clerk Jodi Warren.
Parks and recreation is the focus of the Sept. 14 meeting, which starts with a presentation from Parks and Public Works Director Dan Marcinko, followed by a tour of the city facilities.
On Sept. 21, the theme is Public Works. Marcinko will discuss city infrastructure, streets, water and wastewater, then participants will tour the city facilities.
For the Sept. 28 session, City Attorney Bob Sterbank will discuss the authority of cities, the separation of Mayor and City Council powers, open government laws, public meetings and the Public Records Act. Next, Finance Officer Nicholas Lee will cover city revenue sources, where property tax dollars are spent, and how voter initiatives affect the city’s budget.
Police services are the subject of the only Saturday session, which starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the police station. Interim Police Chief Jim Schaffer, will discuss department operations and lead a tour of the facilities.
Learn about planning and community development at the Wednesday, Oct. 5 session at City Hall. Community Development Director Mark Hoffman will cover the city’s long-range planning, land use management, zoning code development, and the development review processes, as well as the Growth Management Act vs. the city’s Comprehensive Plan, state shoreline management and environmental policy, floodplain management, and sustainability.
Next, building official John Cooper will discuss the city’s building code, fire protection, prevention, and suppression related to building inspections with the purposed to protect life and property.
For the final session, Wednesday, Oct. 12, participants will hear from Fire Chief Mark Correira at the Snoqualmie Fire Station about the department operations, and tour the facilities.
Participants who complete the course will be recognized at an Oct. 24 graduation ceremony, receiving their certificates of completion during the Snoqualmie City Council meeting.
To apply, visit http://www.ci.snoqualmie.wa.us/CityGovernment/CitizensAcademy.aspx, or contact City Clerk Jodi Warren, at jwarren@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us, or (425) 888-1555 ext. 1118
For more information, visit www.ci.snoqualmie.wa.us/CityGovernment/CitizensAcademy.aspx.
