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Strategies to I mprove 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 />channelsto help inform residents both old and new <br />alike about the history and different amenities in <br />their community. <br />I n addition to this social media outreach campaign, <br />Ankeny publishes an interactive siteto let residents <br />learn about the results of The National Citizen <br />Survey on the Qty website ( www.ankenyiowa.aov ). <br />_ ke <br />Ankeny showcases slice of life with social media campaign <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 morethan adecade. 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 ofthecity, 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 isthe nature of <br />democracy at its best. <br />CONTACT: <br />Deb Oyer <br />City of Ankeny <br />515.965.6414 <br />ddyar@ankenyiowa.gov <br />AN1rENY, Iowa (August 7, 2013) - Residents who live In Ankeny frequently Cite quality <br />schools, growing buslness 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, it's sometimes easy to overlook the little <br />things that make Ankeny a friendly and cohesive communi <br />In respo <br />Citizen 5 <br />new son <br />Walkaba <br />0 Font size U share a Bookmark & Pont <br />Utilizing <br />Twitter in National Citizen Survey <br />Departm <br />photos th - S —eying citizens is a fundamental method for communication between the public and local <br />within An 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 />'The Citio life. <br />were op <br />Ankeny's There are several key benefits to conducting a survey every two years: <br />and to he <br />Ccunitruill 1. The survey measures opinions of residents on city services and quality of life Issues <br />se mpaign over time which is Important to prioritizing services and focusing attention on any Issues <br />demorstir needing addressed. <br />2. The City gains benchmark comparisons from local governments across the country. <br />On Thug, a.' The Survey is used as an internal management tool for improvement and monitoring. <br />to ask re 4. The survey Is used for community planning and resource allocation, program <br />course a 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 Cc lorado, polls citizens an Information <br />ranging from public safety, development, parks and recation, economic development, <br />Infrastructure, administrative services and leadershlp. <br />If you have questions about this page contact Deb Dyar at 515.965.6414 or email Deb Dyer <br />According to the 2013 Citizen Survey, <br />95% of respondents rated Ankeny as a great place to live. <br />Free viewers are required for come of the attached documents. <br />They can he downloaded by clicking on the imps. helpw. <br />a `090 <br />bas! upd-: 814/20/3 7:17:25 PM <br />Besides its rich history with citizen surveys, the City <br />of Fort Collins has partnered with M indmixerTM to <br />create a websiteto promote civic engagement online <br />called I dea Lab ( http: // idealab.fcaov.com/ ). They <br />operate the website as a "town meeting" allowing <br />residentsto respond at atimeand place convenient. <br />After creating an account, residentscan shareideas, <br />join discussions and help local government and <br />other community organizations take action around <br />an issuethrough shaping decisions, impacting policy <br />and spreading awareness. <br />This vi rtual town hall has posts about sustai nabi lity, <br />transportation, community engagement, diversity, <br />and quality of lifeto 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 />AP—, ,,z ft,vE pas #1T •z <br />Sidewalks along busier sheets like Timberline and lemay should be widened to <br />encourage biking for the many of us that aront comfortable riding in the bike <br />ands. <br />t cwnmenrs <br />. r..e r ears wim an m,a„e. n �a_ h�tlwru,kt A nn mxi 1m.:Ie,..ehonld. <br />6, 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 />Great ideal And you can always apply forgmrd money from Neighborhood <br />Services to help offset costs. fegov.corNneighhorhoodgrants <br />gins sawyer S Administrator <br />Marketing and Advocacy <br />Publicoutreach can also beabout branding. With <br />traditional marketing outlets and the advent of social <br />media, local governments are now choosing to <br />© 2014, National Research Center, I nc. Page 16 <br />