COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David W. Rowlands, City Manager
DATE: October 21, 2025
SUBJECT: Presentation –Certificate of Recognition to the GROW Cohort IV
The City Council will receive a presentation regarding GROW Initiative Cohort IV’s Paws in the Park capstone project and present Certificates of Recognition to the GROW Initiative Cohort IV graduates
BACKGROUND:
The City partnered with the University of California, Santa Barbara Professional and Continuing Education, to offer a professional certificate program on Management Training for Public Administrators. During the timeframe the program was offered from 2023 to 2024, four cohorts graduated, each creating capstone projects.
Known as GROW, the State -funded 15 -week programs were designed to equip City employees with the knowledge and skills to build and lead high -performing teams, strategically make decisions, and manag e a capstone project to have a positive impact on the City organization with a community benefit.
DISCUSSION:
GROW Cohort IV created a capstone project named Paws in the Park. This proposed event is designed to provide resources and education to promote responsible pet ownership so more pets can stay happy and healthy and with their families. The target audience for this event are current and prospective pet owners in Santa Maria.
The event would provide free educational pet health resources, tools to comply with local laws and ordinances related to domestic animals, and resources for responsible and safe pet ownership. There will be pet training and health vendors, local non-profits, and other animal-related agencies at the event to provide resources and information.
It is envisioned to take place annually, run by designated and trained department liaisons, in conjunction with external stakeholders and vendors to support the event. The first event is tentatively planned for late spring of 2026 to help pet parents ensure their pets are safe during fireworks season.