Bell Citizen’s Academy
Presented by:
Javier Ochiqui, Asst to the City Manager/Interim Community Development Director April 8, 2026
Welcome to
The Citizen’s Academy is an eight-week
program offered twice per year, with two (2)
cohorts annually. Participants are required to
attend all eight sessions to be eligible to
receive a certificate of completion .
*All presentations will take about 60 minutes .
CITIZEN ACADEMY PRESENTATION
Purpose for Academy
The purpose of the Citizens Academy is to
strengthen the relationship between the City
and its residents by increasing awareness of
municipal services and departments. The
program is designed to promote
transparency and encourage informed and
engaged community participation.
Eight (8) Week Overview
Week 1 - City Council/City Manager’s Office/City Clerk’s Office Week 2 – Finance Department
Week 3 – Public Works/Sewer/Waste Management
Week 4 – Utility Companies (SoCal Gas, SCE, Gloden State Water, etc.)
Week 5 – Police Department
Week 6 – Community Services (Parks and Recreation)
Week 7 – Community Development/Bell Community Housing
Authority (BCHA)/Code Enforcement
Week 8 – Final Capstone
CITIZEN ACADEMY PRESENTATION
Week 1 – City Council
The Bell City Council is composed of five (5) at -large representatives who serve a four -year term on a part -time basis. If you would like to speak to a member or schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact them directly by sending an email or leaving a message at Bell City Hall.
1. Organizational Chart
2. Annual Budget
3. Core Functions/Responsibilities
CITIZEN ACADEMY PRESENTATION
City Council
Mayor Ali Saleh
Vice Mayor Monica Arroyo
Councilmember Ana Maria Quintana
Councilmember Alicia Romero
Councilmember Francis Flores
CITIZEN ACADEMY PRESENTATION
The City Manager’s Office serves as the chief administrative a rm o f a city g o ve rnme nt. The City Ma na g e r is a p p o inte d b y the City Co uncil to ma na g e a nd run the d a y-to -d a y o p e ra tio ns o f the city.
The City Ma na g e r a ct a s the CEO o f the city, imp le me nting the p o licie s a nd the p rio ritie s se t b y the e le cte d o fficia ls.
1. Org a niza tio na l Cha rt
2. Annua l Bud g e t
3. Co re Functio ns/ Re sp o nsib ilitie s
Week 1 - City Manager’s Office
CITIZEN ACADEMY PRESENTATION
The City Clerk’s office is one of the oldest and most essential offices in local g o ve rnme nt. It se rve s a s the o fficia l re co rd ke e p e r a nd tra nsp a re ncy hub o f the city.
The co re re sp o nsib ilitie s includ e b ut no t limite d to p re p a ring a nd d istrib uting City Co uncil a nd Pla nning Co mmissio n a g e nd a s, o fficia l re co rd s ma na g e me nt, city co uncil sup p o rt, e le ctio ns a d ministra tio n, p ub lic re co rd s re q ue st, le g a l no ticing , o a ths a nd ce rtifica tio ns, a nd co d ifica tio n o f la ws.
1. Org a niza tio na l Cha rt
2. Annua l Bud g e t
3. Co re Functio ns/ Re sp o nsib ilitie s
Week 1 - City Clerk’s Office
CITIZEN ACADEMY PRESENTATION
Questions?
CITIZEN ACADEMY PRESENTATION