Participation Guidelines
The City of Flagstaff (the “City”) has partnered with OpenGov, a third-party online forum provider, to create a civic engagement platform that will allow the citizens of Flagstaff get more involved in City government. Flagstaff Community Forum is a forum for the discussion of proposed City projects and upcoming policy topics related to local government in the City and its partner agencies. The topics are generated by City staff, commissions, and Council for the purpose of public participation in current government decision making.
To ensure that all voices are heard and that forum participants are able to speak freely about the posted topics, participants who register to use the forum must agree to not post disruptive statements. Disruptive statements include the following:
- Statements that do not relate to the posted topic;
- Personal attacks and statements that threaten or abuse other forum participants, members of the public, City staff or City officials;
- Statements that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual preference, age, region, disability, etc.
- Hate speech of any kind;
- Statements containing any sort of commercial advertising or soliciting funds, goods, or services;
- Repetitive or meaningless messages (“spam”);
- A statement from a user who has falsified their registration information with the intent to post multiple statements in one topic or to misrepresent their city of residence; and
- Statements that include obscene, pornographic, abusive, or otherwise illegal material.
OpenGov, acting as the forum monitor, will remove any disruptive statements that are posted on the forum. Forum participants who post disruptive statements may lose their posting privileges.
Frequently asked questions about the participation guidelines
Why does Open Town Hall monitor for disruptive statements?
OpenGov is a non-partisan company dedicated to building public trust in government and broadening civic engagement. Many people will not participate, if the forum has disruptive statements.
Does Open Town Hall find many disruptive statements?
No. Disruptive statements are quite rare - less than one in a thousand statements on OpenGov moderated topics nationwide are disruptive.
What does Open Town Hall do if they find a disruptive statement?
OpenGov
- moves the statement to a different web page,
- describes the problem in an email to the author, and
- invites the author to change the statement.
Does Open Town Hall ever edit or delete statements?
Never. Only the statement's author can edit or delete a statement. If a statement is removed from the public website, it will still be seen by the City of Flagstaff and be part of the public record.
If I disagree with someone, can I post my opinion?
Yes. Open Town Hall encourages open dialog and debate which, by necessity, includes disagreements.
How do I know if my statement is a 'disagreement' or a 'personal attack'?
Personal attacks are disparaging remarks which impute motives to a person's action. Statements of fact, or of your own opinion are generally not personal attacks.
Here are some examples of statements which are, and are not, personal attacks.
Personal Attack v. Not A Personal Attack
He is a liar. V. He said he did X, but in fact he did Y.
She misrepresented the truth. V. I don't believe what she said.
He is greedy. V. He is making money from this project.
It is merely a power play on her part. V. She will announce her candidacy soon.
Thinking about your neighborhood, what are the biggest issues that you see related to property care? (Select all that apply)
Now, thinking about the city as a whole, what are the biggest issues that you see related to property care? (Select all that apply)
Thinking about the property care items you selected, could you describe how those items impact your quality of life?
The longer it goes on the easier it is to collect more junk/ debris/broken vehicles on properties and it negatively impacts home values as well as quality of life
And, more generally speaking, how much of an issue would you say property care is to you personally?
How often would you say you notice property care issues in your neighborhood?
Thinking about both your specific neighborhood and the city as a whole, how important do you think adopting this type of ordinance is for health, safety, and welfare in Flagstaff?
What issues would you like to see covered in the property care ordinance? (Select all that apply)
Do you have any concerns about the City adopting a property care ordinance?
If you answered yes – please describe your primary concerns about the City adopting a property ordinance?
Enforcement, well stated ordinance that would give land/property owners the chance to comply when initiated. Not to make it a "HOA" environment with neighbors calling in for every little issue.
Is there anything else you would like to share about the development and adoption of a property care ordinance?
No response.Please select the general area that best describes where you live:
Do you currently pay dues to a Homeowners Association in your neighborhood?
What is the highest grade of school or year of college that you have completed?
What best describes your current employment situation?
Which of the following best describe you? (Select all options that apply)
Which of the following age groups do you fall within?
What is your gender identity?
The city is putting together a working group to oversee the development of the property care ordinance. The working group would meet twice a month for roughly 3 months. Would you be interested in participating in such a group?
If yes or maybe, which of the following meeting types would you prefer?