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.
Translate
Please be as specific as possible and note which growth ideas you are referring to in your response.
1) Rural Activity Centers (Outfill): More housing and jobs in Bellemont, Doney Park, Kachina Village/Mountainaire, Winona, and better transportation links between them.
I think it makes sense for our region to develop these areas to support the basic everyday needs of residents, so folks who live there don't have to drive miles into Flagstaff for groceries and everyday items. I agree that job development should focus on where housing development already is and that we should try in minimize sprawl. Accessible transportation between these areas is very important. I think in general I am interested more in infill than out fill because of wildfire risk, and in terms of reducing driving.
2) Urbanize Flagstaff Greenfield Sites: Areas like JWP and the new hospital develop to become relatively dense, mixed use regional activity centers.
I believe that Flagstaff should develop greenfield sites with a focus on maintaining some open greenfield access areas, as the greenfield space access is such a part of the quality of life in Flagstaff and serves as a free to residents accessible activity area. I think zoning of commercial development should focus on supporting local businesses and include developed park spaces for families to use. These developments could be required by the city of the contractors building the developments and require that they are free to all residents. It also feels important that housing development is focused on low and middle income units and that there are accessible jobs where folks live.
3) Focus on Downtown and NAU: Downtown and adjacent areas like old hospital site see more redevelopment, but nothing taller than 6 stories. Minimize loss of historic buildings, maximize workforce and affordable housing.
I think that we need to have more campaigns for longtime Flagstaff residents to understand the less climate impact of multifamily development housing. There is simultaneously a desire for many residents in this area to want climate action and have a "not in my backyard" idea about larger housing areas. I agree that too tall is not for Flagstaff and that some views could be prioritized and protected in the redevelopment process.
4) Focus on East Flagstaff: Mixed use development along 4th Street corridor, more employment along Route 66 (retail, government, tech), improve the mix and variety of uses and housing on east side of Flagstaff
I think that a focus on developing a downtown feel on 4th street would be a huge benefit to our community with more professional employment opportunities.
5) Prioritize Conservation / Avoid Hazards: Preserve natural areas with high ecological values, reduce expansion into the wildland-urban interface.
I wholeheartedly agree
6) Attract Large Employers: Attract more large employers to the region as a way to diversify the economy and keep workers local.
It is very important to me to keep workers local and I think that attracting large employers who can pay a living wage in Flagstaff is essential. With the minimum wage issue it has felt like small businesses and workers have been pitted against each other. We need to find a way that folks can afford to live here, so focusing on employers who pay higher wages and have good labor practices.
Please be as specific as possible and note which growth ideas you are referring to in your response.
1) Rural Activity Centers (Outfill): More housing and jobs in Bellemont, Doney Park, Kachina Village/Mountainaire, Winona, and better transportation links between them.
Avoiding the 'sprawl' of more haphazard development is a concern here, but I think it could be planned well. Mass transit must be VERY robust and regular for folks to use it. Food production and developing regional food systems could be a development that is included in rural areas. Flagstaff is a great place to grow in scenarios with greenhouses.
2) Urbanize Flagstaff Greenfield Sites: Areas like JWP and the new hospital develop to become relatively dense, mixed use regional activity centers.
Natural space needs to be somewhat maintained to support quality of life. Transportation to and from the hospital and regional activity center must be robust and regular for folks to use them. Community gardens and outside spaces are important.
3) Focus on Downtown and NAU: Downtown and adjacent areas like old hospital site see more redevelopment, but nothing taller than 6 stories. Minimize loss of historic buildings, maximize workforce and affordable housing.
I answer the first question in a more general comment first, so I put some of the concerns in the intrigue area. But I think there is a communication issue with residents about planning for climate change and greenhouse gas impacts. I don't like developments that are targeted at students only but are aimed at a mixed of community members.
4) Focus on East Flagstaff: Mixed use development along 4th Street corridor, more employment along Route 66 (retail, government, tech), improve the mix and variety of uses and housing on east side of Flagstaff
I think that this is much needed and would benefit Flagstaff to have a sense of a town square on the east side. I don't like housing or townhome developments that don't have enough parking for residents and have controlling HOAs.
5) Prioritize Conservation / Avoid Hazards: Preserve natural areas with high ecological values, reduce expansion into the wildland-urban interface.
No concerns on protecting areas, very important.
6) Attract Large Employers: Attract more large employers to the region as a way to diversify the economy and keep workers local.
Concerned that they could have bad labor practices, we don't need things like an Amazon warehouse. We need things that tie into the university and develop skilled labor and career development and generational wealth for families, because the jobs pay enough for regular people to buy homes or townhomes.
Are we missing anything we should consider as we develop and model scenarios?
I think we are all aware, but affordability is key. Skilled folks are moving away from Flagstaff because they cannot afford to live here. Raising wages and controlling housing costs. Could child care centers be included or incentivized in schools or in new development areas. Streets all with separated bike and ped from cars with priority intersection crossing. Low speed limits. Adjacent neighborhoods to developments receive improvements such as side walks. An eye to integrate the look of newer and existing developments to support community cohesion. More hubs of community activity outside downtown for community connection and to reduce loneliness and despair. Design to increase public spaces. Development with unhoused community members as part of the plan not an afterthought.
Are you affiliated with any of the community organizations listed below? (Select all that apply) If you are affiliated with an organization not listed, please enter the name in the "Other" response option.