What is the Citizens Academy? 

The City of Snoqualmie is offering a free seven-week course for citizens to get a first-hand look at how Snoqualmie's government works. The sessions will be led by Snoqualmie city officials and department heads. Sessions will be informal, interactive, and a lot of fun.

Most sessions will be in the City Hall Council Chambers. Some will include tours of city facilities.

Application

Course starts September 14, 2011. Space is limited to 30 participants. Apply Now.

Citizens Academy Curriculum

Wednesday - September 14, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
City Hall, 38624 SE River Street

• Welcome and Introductions
• Dave Battey, Local Historian: A look back at our history and a look forward to our future.
• Mayor Matt Larson: A political perspective.
• Bob Larson, City Administrator: How the city provide services that meet the needs of the community.

Wednesday, September 21, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
City Hall, 38624 SE River Street

• Rob Orton, Finance Officer: Finance 101 - Budget Basics
  Where city revenue comes from and where your property taxes go. Learn how tax dollars support city services and programs and how voter initiatives impact the city’s budget. Take the budget challenge and see how difficult budget decisions are made. 
• Pat Anderson, City Attorney: Municipal Legal Challenges
• Bob Cole, Economic Development Coordinator: Bringing Economic Wealth to Snoqualmie

Wednesday, September 28, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
City Hall, 38624 SE River Street

• Gwen Voelpel, Director of Parks & Recreation
  Parking Lots to Paradise
  Learn more about theparks in your city and the people who maintain them. This session includes a tour of some of the city facilities and a game to test your knowledge.

Wednesday, October 5, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
City Hall, 38624 SE River Street

• Dan Marcinko, Director of Public Works
  Infrastructure: How Snoqualmie Works -- streets, water, wastewater, wastewater treatment
  Participants will tour city facilities.

Saturday, October 8, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (lunch provided)
Police  Department, 34825 SE Douglas St.

• Police Chief Jim Schaffer
  Protecting Our Community

Wednesday, October 12, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Fire Department, 37600 SE Snoqualmie Parkway

• Fire Chief Bob Rowe 
  Fire and Emergency Management
  Protecting life, property and managing disasters

Wednesday, October 19, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
City Hall, 38624 SE River Street

• Nancy Tucker, Director of Planning 
  Citizen Decision Making: How to be involved in Land Use and Capital Projects Planning.
  This informative session presents how your input and involvement influences land use management, zoning code development and Capital Improvement Plan. From neighborhood development to building design standards and from crosswalks to new road construction, learn how you can be a part of the important processes that shape Snoqualmie’s future. Learn how the decisions that influence and impact quality of life evolve and become reality.
   
• Dan Thomason, Building Official
  Building/Code Enforcement - "The Silent Defenders"
  This is in line with the various aspects of fire protection/prevention/suppression in the built environment that the Building Dept. / Fire Marshal's Office perform in inspections to protect life and property that most people never see.

Monday, October 24, 7:00 p.m.
City Hall, 38624 SE River Street

• Certificates of Completion presented at City Council meeting