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Strategies to Improve Communities <br />Because The NCS indicated that 3 in 4 residents had <br />access to social media such as Twitter and Facebook, <br />City staff proactively launched a social media <br />campaign called `Wednesday Walkabout' — a video <br />series promoted through the City's social media <br />channels to help inform residents both old and new <br />alike about the history and different amenities in <br />their community. <br />In addition to this social media outreach campaign, <br />Ankeny publishes an interactive site to let residents <br />learn about the results of The National Citizen <br />Survey on the City website (www.ankenviowa.gov). <br />Ankeny showcases slice of life with social media campaign <br />CONTACT: <br />Deb Dyar <br />City of Ankeny <br />515.965.6414 <br />ddyar@ a n ke ny l owa.gov <br />ANKENY, Iowa (August 7, 2013) - Residents wino live in Ankeny frequently cite quality <br />schools, growing business opportunities, access to amenities and its neighborly, small- <br />town feel as reasons they enjoy living In Iowa's fastest growing city. <br />But as ou community continues to grow, it's sometimes easy to overlook the little <br />things that make Ankeny a friendly. and cohesive community. <br />In respog <br />Citizen Sy <br />Commun& <br />new socld <br />Walkabou <br />utilizing tt <br />Twitter ad <br />Departure <br />photos the <br />within Ant <br />'The Citizf <br />were app4 <br />Ankeny's <br />and to het <br />Commun <br />campaign <br />demonstril <br />On Thurso <br />to ask re <br />course of <br />National Citizen Survey <br />Q el Font Size CI share a Bookmark dr Print <br />National Citizen Survey <br />Surveying citizens is a fundamental method for communication between the public and local <br />government. The City of Ankeny has conducted biennial citizen surveys since 2004 in an effort <br />to enhance communication and receive feedback from citizens on City services and community <br />life. <br />There are several key benefits to conducting a survey every two years: <br />1. The survey measures opinions of residents on city services and quality of life Issues <br />over time which is Important to prioritizing services and focusing attention on any issues <br />needing addressed. <br />2. The City gains benchmark comparisons from local governments across the country. <br />3. The survey is used a5 an internal management Welter improvement and monitoring. <br />4. The survey is used for community planning and resource allocation, program <br />Improvement and policy making. <br />The statistically valid survey, which is conducted by the National Research Center, Inc., an <br />independent research organization based in Boulder, Colorado, polls citizens on information <br />ranging from public safety, development, parks and recreation, economic development, <br />infrastructure, administrative services and leadership. <br />If you have questions about this page contact Deb Dyer at 515.965.6414 or email Deb Dyar <br />According to the 2013 Citizen Survey, <br />g5% of respondents rated Ankeny as a great place to live. <br />Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents. <br />They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. <br />i�r.rr 0 g <br />Last updated, 8/4/2013 7:17:25 PM <br />© 2014, National Research Center, Inc. <br />A Case Study in Online Resident Outreach and <br />Communication <br />Fort Collins, Colorado <br />Fort Collins has been conducting biennial citizen <br />surveys for more than a decade. Clearly the voice of <br />residents is intended to help steer the direction of <br />the city. Biennial budget documents are salted with <br />scores of references to the citizen surveys among <br />many measures that managers use to set targets for <br />improving community quality. By putting residents <br />central in the strategic direction of the city, Fort <br />Collins takes the risk that unscripted "reviews" and <br />resident perspectives may not match the preferences <br />of staff or elected officials. Such is the nature of <br />democracy at its best. <br />Besides its rich history with citizen surveys, the City <br />of Fort Collins has partnered with MindmixerTM to <br />create a website to promote civic engagement online <br />called Idea Lab (httn://idealab.fcuov.com/). They <br />operate the website as a "town meeting" allowing <br />residents to respond at a time and place convenient. <br />After creating an account, residents can share ideas, <br />join discussions and help local government and <br />other community organizations take action around <br />an issue through shaping decisions, impacting policy <br />and spreading awareness. <br />This virtual town hall has posts about sustainability, <br />transportation, community engagement, diversity, <br />and quality of life to name a few. Conversations <br />occur between residents, city staff and community <br />organizations. <br />Widen our sidewalks and incorporate them <br />into the trail system. <br />AMIS3MamaE <br />043 *17 ♦2 <br />Sidewalks along busier sheets like Timberllne and lemay should be widened to <br />encourage biking to the many of us that aren't comfortable riding in 1he bike <br />lanes. <br />t Comments <br />rlwa[:ld t aeraa wall tin sarenacnnn_ hutlwnukl ntld thMlMcitv.cheuki <br />Maybe a little obvious, but having an annual block party is a great way for <br />neighbors to get to know each other. We have a group that does the planning <br />which builds extra connections. <br />IiiiGreat idea! And you can always apply for grant money from Neighborhood' <br />Services to help offset costs, fcgov.00ndneighhorhoodgranls <br />ginny sawyer S Adminislretor <br />Marketing and Advocacy <br />Public outreach can also be about branding. With <br />traditional marketing outlets and the advent of social <br />media, local governments are now choosing to <br />Page 16 <br />