The City of Amarillo is seeking applicants for its Amarillo 101 class.
The popular Amarillo 101 class gives Amarillo residents an up-close and personal view of the functions of various City departments and functions. The program offers insight into municipal government, its services and its features.
According to the City of Amarillo, included courses for this year's course will be as follows:
"Session #1: Thursday, Sept. 7, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Orientation: The City of Amarillo Overview
City Hall, 509 S.E. 7th Ave., Room 306
The City’s senior management team will give a general overview of how our City government functions. Highlights include:
Welcome – Course Overview
History
City Charter
City Council
Organizational Structure
Open Meetings
Public Information Act
Session #2: Saturday, Sept. 16, 8 a.m. to Noon
Amarillo at Work
Service Center, 800 S.E. 23rd Ave.
During this first of three Saturday field days, there is an overview the City’s Public Works division and Transit Operations. After an orientation of the City’s daily field operations and a short tour, participants will have the opportunity to:
Observe City equipment and vehicles
Drive and operate a solid waste truck, drive a transit bus, operate a knuckle-boom truck and operate a backhoe – put your skills to the test with the soccer ball challenge!
Session #3: Thursday, Sept. 21, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Your Money at Work
Amarillo Emergency Operations Center – 808 S. Buchanan
From picking up your trash to delivering water to your home to providing public safety services and community needs – the City of Amarillo is one of the largest businesses in the Texas Panhandle. In this session, participants will learn how City funds are generated, managed, spent and why.
Budget & Operations
General Fund Operations
Enterprise Fund Operations: Utilities, Airport, Fleet, Drainage Utility
Tour: Emergency Operations Center & Amarillo Emergency Communications Center
Session #4: Thursday, Sept. 28, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Amarillo as a Growing City
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
10801 Airport Blvd., Air Terminal Building, Kritser Conference Room
Amarillo is experiencing growth in a variety of manners, including new subdivisions and new municipal facilities. Following a tour of the airport and presentation, participants will learn how the Comprehensive Plan guides Amarillo’s current and future growth. Managing the “built environment” is the responsibility of the Building Safety Department.
Tour and Overview: Airport
Planning
Building Safety
Session #5: Saturday, Oct. 7, 8 a.m. to Noon
Amarillo at Your Service
Osage Water Treatment Plant, 3701 S. Osage
Every Drop Counts. The process of bringing water to Amarillo and making it safe for your family is complex. Participants will follow that process during a tour of the Osage Water Treatment Plant.
Utilities Division Overview
Water Production
Surface Water Treatment
Water Transmission
Every Drop Counts
Tour
Displays
Session #6: Thursday, Oct. 12, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Amarillo as a Place for Fun, Recreation and Learning
Downtown Library, Harrington Regional Library Consortium, 413 E. 4th
In addition to providing the crucial day-to-day services it takes to run a City, there is time for some fun and games – and learning, too! This session, which will include a tour of the Downtown Library, will focus on the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Division, the opportunities afforded at the City’s various event venues and the wealth of educational opportunities provided by the City’s library system.
Civic Center: Hockey, Football, Concerts, Resident Companies, Events
Parks & Recreation: Zoo, Golf, Tennis, Recreation Programs, Swimming Pools/Splash Pads, Parks
Library: Overview of five locations plus online services and tour
Advisory Board Overview
Volunteer Opportunities
Final Q&A
Session #7: Thursday, Oct. 19, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Caring for the Community
Simms Municipal Building, 808 S. Buchanan, Training Room 275
This class provides an overview of how the City makes a difference in the safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods, for our children, and for the most vulnerable of our citizens. Presentations will include:
Public Health
Animal Management & Welfare
Environmental Health
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program
Community Development
Session #8: Saturday, Oct. 28, 8 a.m. to Noon
Amarillo as a Safe Community
Fire Training Center at Amarillo Airport, 12400 N.E. 8th Ave.12400 NE 8th Ave12400 NE 8th Ave12400 NE 8th Ave
Participants will be briefed on Amarillo’s Police and Fire departments. Other demonstrations and hands-on activities include:
Airport snow plows (largest plows in the area)
Fire equipment and capability demonstrations
Airport rescue and fire fighting truck
Police equipment and capability
Graduation and Recognition: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers, 509 S.E. 7th Ave.
City Council Meeting"