HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-13; Citizens Academy Program Update (Districts - All); Patnoe, GeoffTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date ~CA ✓.CC ✓
CM _L_ACM .JL._DCM (3) ✓
Council Memorandum
May 13, 2021
To:
From:
Via:
Re:
Honorable Mayor
Geoff Patnoe, Assis
Scott Chadwick, City a
Citizens Academy Pr
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pdate (Districts -All)
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID #2021100
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update to the City Council regarding the
resinstatement of the Citizens Academy Program in 2021 ..
Background
The City of Carlsbad has historically offered a Citizens Academy Program designed to provide
Carlsbad residents with an opportunity to learn about their local city government, various
services that are offered within the community, and directly interact with various department
staff that support those services and operations. The Citizens Academy Program has historically
been held twice a year, in the spring and fall, on consecutive Thursday evenings from
5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the exception of one midday session that included a citywide bus tour at
noon.
Discussion
On March 12, 2020, staff postponed the Spring 2020 Citizens Academy, scheduled to take place
from March 12 -April 23, 2020, due to public health guidance from San Diego County health
officials in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fall 2020 Citizens Academy was
subsequently postponed, and no additional academies were scheduled for future dates, in
accorandance with San Diego County Public Health Orders. All residents previously enrolled in
the Spring and Fall 2020 Citizens Academies were contacted by city staff to inform them of the
postponements.
On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the governor announced that the State of California is currently on
track to fully reopen on J.une 15, 2021, and provided the state's plan, referred to as
"Beyond the Blueprint". In addition, and in accordance with new health guidelines, the City of
Carlsbad is continuing to expand in-person services provided to the community.
As part of the expansion of city services, and due to the continued, significant interest in the City
of Carlsbad's Citizens Academy Program, staff are preparing to resume the Citizens Academy
Program in Fall 2021. Sessions will likely be scheduled from mid-September to
late October, 2021, and will take place at various city facilities on Thursday evenings, for seven
consecutive weeks. Staff will plan to contact previously enrolled participants from the
Policy & Leadership
City Manager Department
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2820 t
Council Memo -Citizens Academy Program Update (Districts -All)
May 13, 2021
Page 2
· Spring 2020 Citizens Academy first, then the Fall 2020 Citizens Academy second, to confirm their
attendance availability. The Fall 2021 Citizens Academy will accommodate a 45 resident total
capacity, which has been the typical, historical volume of participants in prior Citizens
Academies.
Appropriate modifications will be made to the Fall 2021 Citizens Academy event format, to
ensure that staff continue to adhere to all current and applicable health order requirements.
Some possible modifications under consideration include:
• Locations: Utilize meeting spaces that maintain social distancing requirements
• Meal Service: Provide individually pre-packaged or pre-boxed meals & drinks
• Start Time: Schedule all sessions in the evening (5 p.m. check-in, 5:30 p.m. session start)
• Indoor Presentations: Reduce time indoors, keep timeframe to 60 mi.nutes or less
• Outdoors Demonstrations: Promote and provide visual social distancing guides
• Handouts: Minimize printed handout materials, utilize email where possible
• Unique Components: Remove bus tour, and/or any other presentation features where
social distancing cannot be maintained
Next Steps
Internal preparations for the Fall 2021 Citizens Academy Program are currently underway. After
June 15, 2021, once the Governor's reopening of the State of California has been put into effect,
staff will notify prior enrolled participants to inform them of the Citizens Academy Program
reinstatement, and confirm their attendance in the Fall 2021 Citizens Academy Program. In
addition, the city's web page will also be updated at that time to reflect the reinstatement of the
Citizens Academy Program, and to serve as an informational resource for all Carlsbad residents.
Staff are pleased to resume the Citizens Academy Program, and are eager to once again offer
Carlsbad residents an engaging, rewarding learning experience that highlights key programs,
services and operations provided within the city.
cc: Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Laura Rocha , Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Neil Gallucci, Police Chief
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director