Report to City Council
ID: 25-0377 Page 1
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brian Mohan, City Manager
AGENDA DATE: September 2, 2025
TITLE: APPROVAL OF THE MORENO VALLEY CITIZENS
ACADEMY PROGRAM – FALL 2025 SESSION AND
AUTHORIZATION FOR ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION
OF FUTURE SESSIONS (REPORT OF: CITY
MANAGER) (DISTRICT: ALL DISTRICTS)
TITLE SUMMARY: Approval of the Moreno Valley Citizens Academy
DISTRICT: All Districts
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Approve the implementation of the Fall 2025 Moreno Valley Citizens Academy program and authorize the implementation for future sessions.
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to coordinate all activities related to the Academy, including outreach, registration, department participation, event logistics, and post-program evaluations to enhance program delivery and community impact.
SUMMARY
This report recommends approval to launch the Moreno Valley Citizens Academy, a civic engagement initiative designed to educate residents on the structure and operations of local government. The program is designed to promote transparency, public trust, and community involvement by providing residents with direct interaction and access to City leadership.
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DISCUSSION
For several years, under the leadership of the Mayor and City Council, City Staff have embarked on various learning cohorts with a primary focus of increasing resident engagement, participation, and civic pride. The outcome of these learning cohorts has provided staff with a portfolio of ideas aimed at improving the way we interact and engage with residents, businesses and community stakeholders.
The Moreno Valley Citizens Academy is a six-week civic engagement program designed to educate and empower residents and business owners by providing them with a deeper understanding of how the City operates. Through direct interaction with City departments and presentations, participants gain insights into municipal operations, decision -making processes, and public service delivery. The program is open to Moreno Valley residents age 18 and older, free of charge, and limited to 15 participants per session.
The Citizens Academy aligns with the City’s broader goals for resident engagement, community education, and transparent governance. By creating accessible opportunities for residents to engage with City leadership and operations, the Academy contributes to this strategic initiative and reinforces Moreno Valley’s commitment to civic innovation.
The Fall 2025 session will feature topics covering the City Manager’s Office, City Clerk, and City Attorney; Public Works and Community Development; Public Safety (including Police, Fire, and Emergency Management); Economic Development; Parks and Community Services (including the library); Human Resources and Finance. The program concludes with a Graduation and Recognition Ceremony. Each session includes department-led presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and opportunities for questions and answers (Q&A), helping participa nts build meaningful connections with City staff while learning how services are delivered throughout Moreno Valley.
Outreach efforts to engage interest and participation will include flyers, announcements on City website, social media posts, and a press release.
Based on anticipated interest and positive outcomes, staff recommends continued implementation of the Citizens Academy in future years. With Council authorization, the City Manager or his designee would be permitted to adjust session content and logistics as needed to reflect evolving priorities, resource availability, and participant feedback.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve and authorize the recommended actions as presented in this staff report.
Staff recommend this alternative.
2. Do not approve and authorize the recommended actions as presented in this staff report. Staff does not recommend this alternative.
FISCAL IMPACT
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The estimated cost to implement the Moreno Valley Citizens Academy program is $3,500 and would cover materials, meals, refreshments, and supplies. No new appropriations are requested. If approved, expenses will be budgeted through the Moreno Valley Community Foundation.
NOTIFICATION
Publication of the agenda 72 hours prior to the meeting.
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Vanessa Leccese Brian Mohan
Management Analyst City Manager
Concurred By:
Angel Galache
Deputy City Manager
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Community Image, Neighborhood Pride and Cleanliness : Promote a sense of community pride and foster an excellent image about our City by developing and executing programs which will result in quality development, enhanced neighborhood preservation efforts, including home rehabilitation and neighborhood restoration.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Public Safety
3. Library
4. Infrastructure
5. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
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Report Approval Details
Document Title: STAFFREPORT_CM_CITIZENS ACADEMY .docx
Attachments:
Final Approval Date: Aug 27, 2025
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Brian Mohan
No Signature found
Angel Galache
Patty Rodriguez
Natalia Lopez
Dena Heald
Launa Jimenez
Patty Rodriguez