Registration now in session for 'Roseville U'

About 40 Roseville residents are about to spend time in the slammer -- even though they haven't done anything wrong.

Their trip to the city jail is part of Roseville University, a seven-week course that begins April 7 and is designed to give a hands-on understanding of how city departments operate and how city government works.

In the coming weeks, participants will come face-to-face with K-9 unit police dogs, stand near burning cars, tour an ice arena, and get the lowdown on various topics such as how and when streets are plowed or repaired.

This is the fourth time Roseville has offered the free program, which has been so popular with residents that in the past there has been a waiting list to get in, said City Manager Bill Malinen. A few spots remain for the spring session, he said.

While many communities have long had classes to give citizens a behind-the-scenes look at their police departments, programs to help people gain insight on how various departments citywide function are still something of a novelty.

Hopkins, in 2000, was one of the first communities in the metro area to hold a Citizens Academy. In that six-week program, citizens get to participate in a mock traffic stop, don fire gear and handle hoses, and work through a hypothetical economic development project. Over the years similar programs have popped up in Minnetonka, St. Louis Park and Woodbury. Columbia Heights is pondering the idea.

What's going on

While the League of Minnesota Cities doesn't keep tabs on how many cities hold such programs, anecdotal evidence suggests that "cities are giving more educational opportunities to learn about what is going on in city government," said Kevin Frazell, the league's director of member services.

In Roseville, participants are given a three-ring binder replete with copies of power point slides, city maps and reference material to augment field trips to nature centers, the public works facility and City Hall. At the police station citizens can sit in a locked jail cell.

"They've fortunately never had to experience that," said Malinen. And yes, "we do let them out."

Malinen said the classes have a secondary benefit in that they can help reduce the skepticism and cynicism of what goes on at City Hall, and engage people to take ownership of their city and get involved.

Hopkins Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie said past academy participants have gone on to become City Council members and park commissioners.

"It's a great opportunity to educate folks on what we do and why we do it," said Pat Trudgeon, Roseville's community development director. "We talk about zoning issues, what authority we have and why we have them." As a city staff, we "learn to how to better reach out, make a personal connection and learn of issues we might not be aware of."

Those enrolled in Roseville U will play games such as "Jeopardy" along the way to test their knowledge -- and win prizes. At the end of seven weeks they will be rewarded with a cake and diploma. They also gain a better understanding of their city.

"We have a greater appreciation for how our tax dollars are being spent, and the many protective services available," one participant wrote in a course evaluation.

Said another: "I am extremely pleased that the City of Roseville has gone to such great length to teach their community about daily operations. Truly a city that leads by example."

Tim Harlow • 651-735-1824 Follow Tim on Twitter @timstrib