2024 Napa City Academy Concludes Successfully

The City of Napa proudly announces the successful completion of its 2024 Napa City Academy, a six-week educational program that offers residents an in-depth look at the inner workings of their local government. Through interactive presentations, hands-on learning, and direct engagement with City staff and leadership, participants gained a deeper understanding of how Napa operates and how decisions are made that impact the community.

"The Napa City Academy continues to be an excellent platform for fostering civic engagement and transparency," said Mayor Scott Sedgley. "We're excited to see so many residents participate and leave with a deeper connection to their community."

Each week of the Academy focused on a key aspect of City operations, introducing participants to a wide range of topics-from public safety to budget management-and providing firsthand insight into the challenges and successes involved in running a city. Participants also had the opportunity to meet City Councilmembers, and hear from them in person.

Here's a breakdown of the 2024 program:

Week 1: General Government and Administrative Services:
Residents learned about the City's organizational structure, the role of the City Manager's Office and other administrative departments, as well as key policies such as the Brown Act and redistricting.

Week 2: Infrastructure - Public Works & Utilities:
The Public Works and Utilities teams provided an in-depth look at Napa's infrastructure, including road maintenance, water services, waste management, and emergency response. Participants were also able to tour the Jamieson Canyon Water Treatment Plant.

Week 3: Community Development and Housing:
This session covered city planning, affordable housing, homeless services and economic development, offering insights into Napa's growth strategies and housing initiatives.

Week 4: Parks and Recreation:
Participants explored Napa's park system and recreational programs, learning about the City's data-driven approach to maintaining and developing green spaces.

Week 5: Public Safety: Both the Napa Police and Fire Departments gave presentations on their operations, equipment, and training, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience with the tools and vehicles used in these essential services.

Week 6: Finance and Budget:
In the final session, participants engaged in a budget exercise simulating the challenges City Council members face when allocating resources, providing a comprehensive view of how financial decisions shape city services. The finance and budget presentation was placed in the final week this year, allowing academy members to understand the challenges of balancing various department priorities with budgetary constraints.

This year's Academy included several additional enhancements based on participant feedback, such as increased interactivity and the addition of an executive roundtable session. Participants appreciated the opportunity to engage directly with department heads, with one attendee remarking, "I really liked the roundtables at the last session where we had small groups to ask our questions in a more intimate space."

"Napa City Academy is a unique program that allows us to connect with residents in ways our regular communications can't fully capture," said City Manager Steve Potter. "Our dedicated staff works hard every day to improve our community, and this initiative provides a direct glimpse into their efforts. I'm grateful for our participants and their positive responses, which truly reflect the culture of the City of Napa and the incredible impact of our team."

A cornerstone of the program is the opportunity to connect with the dedicated City staff who manage Napa's day-to-day operations. Participants valued hearing directly from City leaders and employees about their work. When asked about their favorite aspects of the program, one resident noted, "I enjoyed hearing from and meeting the City leaders and workers," while another shared, "The staff. I am beyond proud of you all." Many attendees also highlighted the friendly and welcoming atmosphere fostered by the presenters, emphasizing how these connections not only deepened their understanding of City operations but also cultivated a stronger sense of community pride.

Attendees also valued the field trips to City facilities and "sites that not everyone would know about," such as the water treatment plant and firehouse. While some members enrolled to understand a specific issue, the comprehensive structure of the program distilled the complexities of City operations into digestible sessions, leaving them with a broader understanding of how Napa works. One participant noted, "I went into the Academy wanting to understand Napa's plan for homelessness and the recreation department. I was pleased with what I learned about these and was surprised how much I enjoyed learning about the other functions of the City." This approach gives residents a deeper understanding of the interconnected nature of the City's operations, fostering civic engagement and promoting transparency.

"As we look ahead to next year, we are committed to making the Napa City Academy even more enriching and accessible for our residents," said City Manager Steve Potter. "Together, we can continue to strengthen our community and empower residents to be active participants in local governance."

The City encourages interested residents to apply for the 2025 Napa City Academy to gain firsthand knowledge of their local government and become more engaged in civic life. For more information or to apply, visit www.cityofnapa.org/283/Napa-City-Academy

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