Questions About City Services?

When I told a few friends and neighbors (and 500 of my closest friends on Facebook) that I was going to write a weekly column about San Mateo, I was surprised at the response.

Emails and phone messages came in, each suggesting a different topic about our town: What happened to the glittery sidewalks downtown? Why are so many streetlights out on El Camino? Why was the street next to mine resurfaced and not mine? Why were the trees cut down near my house? Why haven't the pot holes on my street been fixed? Why is the street sweeper always going down the middle of my street? And the only repeated question: Where do I find our city's disaster recovery plan?

Having not signed on as the answer-man about town, I laughed and pressed delete repeatedly. Then I got to thinking (you probably saw the smoke): Don't all these people know about the City Services Academy? It may not include the glittery sidewalks bit, but it will go a long way towards explaining what is and what isn't available as a city service.

The City Services Academy is a hands-on, 12 week program that begins Aug. 31 this year. It is available to anyone over 18 who lives or works in the city of San Mateo. Its goal is to provide a better understanding of the evolving principles of San Mateo government through interactive classes.

You will find out just how San Mateo is managed and operated, and walk away with a much better understanding of why things happen as they do in our community, and the challenges ahead for San Mateo. Even better, it is free!

You may also see/learn about: Drug sniffing dogs (no, not a YouTube viral video of a poor pooch on drugs, but a police dog demonstration that will impress); the Fire Department's heat-sensitive goggles, which can make out a body from behind a wall; a Code Enforcement presentation that is guaranteed to make you a believer in code enforcement (if not, then you have to move next door to one of the homes shown); a SWAT team demo that will leave you gasping at what it takes to qualify for SWAT; a Public Works vehicle and equipment display that fills an entire parking lot.

The departments involved range from City Council to Parks and Rec, and everything in between. You will meet with department heads, such as the police chief or public works director, to learn how new programs are implemented -- and you may have time to pose some of those personal agenda questions.

If there's ever a Jeopardy category on San Mateo, you will be able to run the board!

Just as our city has evolved, so has the City Services Academy. What was relevant when I participated may not be happening now (we had fire back then but the wheel was still to come). So look for the latest and greatest in this year's program. And when you find out what happened to the glittery sidewalks downtown, let us know.

Here's the where, how and when:

You can download and print the application online, or one can be mailed, faxed or emailed to you by calling Laurie at (650) 522-7000 or Vicki at (650) 522-7419. Class size is limited. Those not selected for the current Academy will be considered for subsequent academies. Applications are due by Aug. 22, 2011.

Please return your completed application to:

San Mateo City Services Academy
c/o Office of the City Manager
330 West 20th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403

• The Academy sessions will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday between Aug. 31 and Nov. 16, with one Saturday session to be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Participants who complete the Academy will attend a reception, receive a graduation certificate, and be recognized by the City Council.
• The Academy will be held at different locations throughout the course of the program.
• A full meeting schedule will be supplied to participants at the first meeting.