Woodland’s Civic Fellowship Program, now in its second year, will be reviewed by the City Council on Tuesday.
Amanda Portier, marketing and business relations specialist, is scheduled to brief the council at its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday at City Hall, 300 First Street.
The cost of the 2024 Civic Fellowship Program was $39,766. The funds were provided as part of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act and were funded with general budget revenue recovery funds.
The Civic Fellowship Program is a fee-based service designed to provide public service opportunities to adults early in their careers.
“One aspect of the City Council’s goals is to prioritize local recruitment for public positions in all sectors,” said Portier. “The City’s Equity Action Plan includes the establishment of a Civic Fellowship Program as a strategic measure to further this goal.”
The City Manager’s Office of Equity, Engagement, Economics and Environment led this initiative with support from all city departments.
“During the 2024 Civic Fellowship Program, nine fellows completed major projects across the city and participated in weekly program-wide activities for eight weeks,” noted Portier. “In spring 2024, staff completed recruitment, hiring, and onboarding, and the program ran from June 17 to August 9.”
Staff contacted several community workforce and educational institutions to reach the widest possible range of potential candidates. The program received 140 applications. Approximately 58 applicants were invited to interview in each department for which they qualified.
During the eight-week duration of the program, the fellows worked primarily in their department.
The scholarship recipients’ respective achievements included:
Brittany Joe, Geographic Information Systems Engineer who worked in administration: Joe conducted field research and data validation at the city cemetery to create a GIS dashboard detailing the historical figures at Woodland Cemetery.
Jennifer Manseau, climate and equity analyst assigned to the Office of Equity, Engagement, Economy and Environment: Manseau created a sustainability dashboard to showcase the city’s progress on the Climate Action Plan, an American Rescue Plan community hub to highlight the city’s ARP investments, and a housing policies and projects page to showcase the city’s progress on housing.
Jesus Rodriquez, an assistant in the utility engineering department who worked in the Community Development – Engineering Department: Rodriquez supported the analysis of water quality test results and regulatory compliance, the sewer management plan, and the water reuse project.
Eduardo Velasquez-Solorio, a community outreach specialist While working with the fire department, Velasquez created an inventory of automated external defibrillators, designed and distributed educational materials on hands-free CPR and AEDs to the public, and observed several building inspections and investigations.
Monika Lepe, specialist for municipal services Assigned to the Department of Community Services: Lepe supported program development for Spanish-speaking seniors by creating a survey for the Woodland Senior Center, establishing partnerships with key area organizations, and laying the groundwork for a Spanish-speaking social group for seniors.
Jessica Rodriguez-Soto, who served as parking enforcement and public safety officer Police Department: Rodriguez handled abandoned vehicles by enforcing parking regulations, issuing alerts, and responding to vehicle complaints and inquiries. In addition, he assisted with receiving, processing, and storing property and evidence.
Evelyn Mandujano and Barbara Silver, co-directors of the STEAM Maker Camp assigned to the library: Mandujano and Silver prepared and managed the daily operations of Square One’s six-week STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) Maker Camp, a summer camp focused on STEM activities for youth.
Eliana Villanueva, Outreach Coordinator in the Building Department: Villanueva developed a customer approach survey after fieldwork by Building Department employees. Weekly activities introduced the fellows to various aspects of local government and expanded their professional development skills.
“Staff coordinated activities with various departments and local partners, including weekly lunches with department heads, a panel discussion with local elected officials, visits to local nonprofits, community programs and community facilities, and a professional development workshop led by YoloWorks!” said Portier.
City staff will review the results of the program evaluations conducted by fellows and department heads and then begin preparing the 2025 Civic Fellowship Program in December 2025.
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