VALLEJO, CA [March 18, 2024] – On Monday, March 18, more than 30 members of City of Vallejo staff and City Council gathered at the Vallejo Filipino Community Center for a collaborative team-building session aimed at strengthening internal relationships and aligning efforts to improve public service delivery.
The half-day event featured an engaging blend of activities—starting with a lighthearted icebreaker where participants discovered shared interests ranging from horseback riding and musical talents to Hawaiian travel. This sense of camaraderie set the tone for a meaningful dialogue on the City’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
Facilitated by an external consultant, the session centered on core principles essential to effective governance:
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Honesty
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Clear Communication
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Consistency
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Process Streamlining
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Mutual Respect
As Vallejo navigates leadership transitions and operational change, attendees expressed a shared commitment to building trust, enhancing transparency, and supporting one another through professional development and cross-departmental collaboration.
“Coming together in this way allows us to reaffirm our purpose as public servants,” said a city official. “We’re focused on improving how we serve the people of Vallejo—through teamwork, accountability, and a spirit of continuous improvement.”
The session concluded with a unified “thumbs-up” as both Council and Staff pledged to move forward in partnership, dedicated to shaping a brighter future for the Vallejo community.
Attendees included:
Sharon Lund, Alicia Jones, Mike Malone, Naveed Ashraf, Stephanie Sifuentes, Mina Loera-Diaz, Peter Bregenzer, Narcissa Wilson, Gillian Haen (Hayes), Tina Arriola, Christina Ratcliffe, Rekha Nayar, Dawn Abrahamson (and Every the Wonder Dog), Terrance Davis, Beth Schoenberger, Mike Nimon, Charles Palmares, Diosdado J.R. Matulac, Kyle Long, Melissa Tigbao, Veronica Nebb, Robert McConnell, and Jason Ta.
Also contributing to the success of the day (not pictured): Manny Angel, Natalie Peterson, Kristen Bennett, and Jason Ackley.