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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 Oyer <br />City of Ankeny <br />515.965.6414 <br />ddy a r@ e n k e n y i atva .goy <br />ANKENY, Iowa (August 7, 2013) - Residents who 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 our community continues to grow, a's sometimes easy to overlook the little <br />things that make Ankeny a friendly and cohesive community, <br />In respaq' <br />Citzen 5y <br />Common <br />new soda <br />Walked° <br />Utilizing • <br />Twitter a. <br />Departn <br />photos <br />within Anp <br />'The Citiz <br />were cppt <br />Ankeny'S <br />and to hel <br />Cpmmunk <br />ca mpalgia <br />demanstr <br />On Thum <br />to ask re <br />course of <br />National Citizen Survey <br />0 0 Font Size 0 Share a Bookmark di 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 as an internal management tool far improvement and manitering. <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 an 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 Dyar at 515.965.6414 or email Deb Dyar <br />According to the 2013 Citizen Survey, <br />95% of respondents rated Ankeny as a great piece to live. <br />Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents. <br />They can he downloaded by licking on the icons helow. <br />(�J �t71R <br />I� ©®El <br />Last updated, 2y4/2013 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 />PPR21,2012 Abgea <br />O43 *17 ♦2 <br />Sidewalks along busier sheets like Timberline and lemay should be widened to <br />encourage biking is the many of us that aren't comfortable riding in the bike <br />lanes. <br />t Comments <br />r,warad l aenw with an saanachnn_ duLL.vswdl sdetNMthacitesheuld <br />Maybe a little obvious, but having an annual block party is a groat way for <br />neighbors to get to know each other. We have a group that does the planning <br />which builds extra connections. <br />IIIGreat ideal And you can always apply for grant money from Neighborhood' <br />Services to help offset costs. tcgov.00mhleighborhoodgranls <br />gimy sawyer i Administrator <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 />