Politics & Government

Redmond Citizen Academy Gives Residents a Chance to Learn More About Municipal Government

A six-week series of seminars kicks off Thursday evening at city hall.

Some people learn about government by earning a degree in political science or a related field. But for everyone else, it can be a challenge to understand how all the different facets of a municipality like Redmond function together.

City officials hope to demystify the inner workings of local government through a six-week Citizen Academy program that begins Thursday and runs through May 26. Although the city has hosted similar neighborhood-specific programs before, this is the first time a Redmond-wide Citizen Academy has been held, said Kimberly Dietz, a senior planner with the City of Redmond.

Dietz said the weekly workshops will cover a diverse selection of topics and will help residents make more informed decisions when they weigh in on the city's plans and proposals. For example, Dietz said it's helpful for people to understand how traffic counts are conducted before they form an opinion about a traffic mitigation plan.

Find out what's happening in Redmondwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“For them to consider a policy at a conceptual level, they need to understand (how) the program or the science behind that discipline feeds into that (decision),” she said.

The Citizen Academy is also intended as a way for residents to become leaders and government liaisons in their neighborhoods, Dietz said. Several people who have participated in similar programs have gone on to serve on the city's board and commissions, she said.

Find out what's happening in Redmondwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Redmond Councilman Hank Margeson participated in the Education Hill Citizens Advisory Board — a program that is similar to the Citizen Academy — before he decided to serve on the Parks and Trails Commission and ultimately run for city council. Margeson said his experience with the citizens advisory board proved to be valuable training for his future roles in city government.

"Even if you don't plan to volunteer in the city ... it's an excellent opportunity," he said.

The series begins Thursday with a session on comprehensive planning set to begin at 6:30 p.m. at , 15670 NE 85th St. Participants are welcome to attend all or just a few of the seminars, Dietz said. The complete lineup and more information on the series can be found here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Redmond