Page last updated on March 19, 2024 at 9:47 am
The Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department developed the City of Bloomington Residents Academy in 1999 to encourage civic engagement and to educate residents about City government. Participants will learn about the challenges faced by City government as it balances budget limitations with community goals and service needs. Sessions will also cover topics such as day-to-day operations, the structure and function of City departments, the role of City Council, resident involvement in boards and commissions, innovative approaches to problem solving, and goals for the future.
In an effort to achieve the City of Bloomington's sustainability goals, the majority of materials and information for Residents Academy will be available online. You can access course materials each week by clicking on the links in the schedule below. PLEASE NOTE: 2024 course materials are updated weekly. Links will be added when updates are complete.
Weekly Schedule
Week 1: Thursday, August 15
- Welcome, Course Overview, Introductions
Week 2: Thursday, August 29
- Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department historic neighborhood walking tour
Week 3: Thursday, September 5
- Parks & Recreation Department Switchyard Park tour
Week 4: Thursday, September 12
- Bloomington Fire Department presentation & demonstration
Week 5: Thursday, September 19
- City of Bloomington Utilities tour of Monroe Water Treatment Plant
Week 6: Thursday, September 26
- Public Works Department tour
- Bloomington Transit tour
Week 7: Thursday, October 3
- Bloomington Police Department presentation
Week 8: Thursday, October 10
- Community & Family Resources presentation
- Information & Technology Services presentation
- Controller’s Office presentation
Week 9: Thursday, October 17
- Tour of The Mill
- Economic & Sustainable Development Department presentation
- Planning & Transportation Department presentation
- Engineering Department presentation
Week 10: Thursday, October 24
- City Council presentation
- City Clerk presentation
- Mayor's Office presentation
- Awarding of graduate certificates and class picture