1. Thomas H. Muehlenbeck City Manager

2. Plano Citizens Academy Mission Statement Based on a “Government 101” concept: The mission of the Plano Citizens Academy is to familiarize citizens with the function and purpose of City of Plano government.

3. Plano Citizens Academy (PCA) Goals  Become acquainted with Mayor, City Council, City Manager, Department Directors and other City staff.  Obtain an overview of Plano’s history.  Learn about City of Plano’s form of government.  Visit and tour various City facilities.  Gain an understanding of how each Department supports the City of Plano’s Mission: To provide outstanding services and facilities, through cooperative efforts with our citizens, that contribute to the quality of life in our community. Class Members:

4. PCA Benefits Citizen, Community & City Promotes:  Citizen Education Government Operations  Community Interest Awareness  City Involvement Boards, Commissions and other committees

5. PCA Historical Timeline  January 2002 – Plano Citizens Academy Planning Committee formed. Group comprised of various City department directors along with coordinators of the current Citizen Police and Fire Academies.  March 2002 – Recruitment of pilot class members begins. In an effort to gain experienced feedback, the pilot class was restricted to graduates of Citizen Police and/or Fire Academies.  May 2002 – First Plano Citizens Academy (PCA) class is launched. Class critiques are submitted after each session.

6. PCA Timeline Continued  September 2002 – First PCA class graduates with 16 members.  October 2002 – Critiques of pilot class are reviewed. Minor changes are made in the course syllabus and public advertising begins for the recruitment of second PCA class.  January 2003 – Second PCA class begins and graduates in June, 2003 with 35 members.  February 2004 – Third PCA class is slated to begin.

7. Plano Citizens Academy Candidate Selection  Current resident of City of Plano  18 years of age or older  Can commit to attending 10 bi-weekly sessions, usually held on Tuesday evenings from 7 – 10 p.m.

8. PCA Outreach  Tri-fold informational brochure (including application) is printed in-house and made available at various City facilities and City- sponsored neighborhood meetings.  City website displays PCA information and printable application under our Community Outreach section.  City cable television displays information near time of enrollment.

9. PCA Logistics  A “class coordinator” (management level employee) oversees the entire program and attends each session.  An administrative assistant helps with organization, reminders and other clerical tasks associated with the course.  Directors and/or their immediate managers are expected to make their department’s presentation.

10. PCA Logistics Continued  After each presentation, class members are given an opportunity to ask questions and provide a written critique of the material.  Light refreshments (coffee and cookies) are provided at mid-break of each session.  Due to meeting room limitations, classes are kept to a maximum of 35 members.

11. PCA Logistics Continued Budget  One course held per fiscal year.  Personnel costs are absorbed by each participating Department.  Funding for supplies, operation and graduation is procured through the City of Plano’s “Community Outreach” budget at a cost of approximately $5,000 per course (35 members per course).  Course can be tailored to every city’s budget margins. Costs can be reduced by limiting class members, number of sessions held, supplies, refreshments and/or graduation mementos.

12. PCA Course Supplies  At first session, a 3” notebook initially stocked with course syllabus and session dividers, mission statement, contact info, maps to facilities, and business card holders is provided.  At each subsequent session, brochures, booklets and handouts are provided by each City department to “build” and ultimately complete the notebook as a keepsake and valuable reference tool.

13. Plano Citizens Academy Course Sessions Session 1:Orientation Mayor & City Council City Organization Session 2:Employee Training Budget & Finance Session 3:Economic Development Planning & Zoning, GIS Neighborhood Services

14. Sessions Continued Session 4:Engineering, Transportation Property Standards Building Inspections Session 5:Fire, Police Public Safety Communications (Tour) Session 6:Customer/Utility Services Pubic Works (Tour)

15. Sessions Continued Session 7:Parks and Recreation (Tour) Environmental Health Public Information Session 8:Information Services Human Resources Libraries Session 9:Legal Municipal Court (Tour)

16. Session 10: Graduation  Graduates and their families are honored by the Mayor, City Council, City Manager and City staff with a ceremony and reception.  Graduates receive a framed certificate, class photo and small gift for their service and interest in our City.  Three-time graduates of our Police, Fire and Citizens Academies are recognized and deemed Plano Diplomats. Plano Diplomats are presented with a special memento for their continued, dedicated service.

17. Comments from Graduates “The course was very informative and motivating. I have been sold on Plano for many years. What I have learned by being a class member has sealed my conviction.” “I have used the class notebook as a resource to advise friends.“ “Very informative and interesting in every aspect. Thank you.”

18. Comments from Graduates “Overall this was great, not only being informed about all the different aspects of Plano’s government, but being able to visit all the different locations that we otherwise would never see.” “This is a great learning experience! I’ve learned more about my city in these 10 sessions than I knew the entire time I’ve lived here. Wealth of information.”

19. Community Service  Five PCA graduates recently applied for City Boards and Commissions positions.  Four were appointed to positions beginning in November 2003: Building Standards Commission Transportation Advisory Commission (2) Board of Adjustment  In addition, one graduate currently sits on the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Committee.

20. For more information... Contact City of Plano Community Outreach (972) 941-7747 or cindyp@plano.gov

21. Questions & Answers