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
What best describes your relationship with McMillan Mesa Natural Area? Note: Please select the relationship that is most relevant.
How do you primarily access McMillan Mesa Natural Area?
Where do you primarily park?
With each pin, in the corresponding comment box, we invite you to share why you visit that area, what activities you engage in there, and anything else you feel is important about that location.
What do you value MOST about McMillan Mesa Natural Area?
What recreational activities do you engage in on McMillan Mesa Natural Area? (Choose as many as applicable)
What recreational activities would you like to engage in on McMillan Mesa Natural Area but feel the facilities are inadequate for? (Choose as many as applicable)
If you feel that the facilities are inadequate, how could they be improved to meet your needs?
No response.What are the most important issues affecting McMillan Mesa Natural Area? Please rate each option from “Least Concerned” to “Most Concerned” to help us understand how you rank these.
If you selected other, please specify:
No response.What types of improvements do you think are most important in McMillan Mesa Natural Area? (rank priorities in order of importance from not at all to highly important)
Ecological restoration and forest health improvements within forested areas
Provide opportunities for visitors to rest and enjoy the Natural Area (e.g. benches, picnic tables, shade)
Maps/interpretive information/signage
Trash and recycling facilities
Develop additional FUTS and single-track trails within the Natural Area
Decommission or revegetate social trails within the Natural Area
Establish a formal parking area for visitors to access the Mesa more easily
Provide opportunities for visitors to rest and enjoy the Natural Area (e.g. benches, picnic tables, shade)
Provide restrooms at the primary access point
If you selected other, please specify:
No response.Is there anything else you would like to add regarding how you feel McMillan Mesa Natural Area should be managed or recommendations for projects that could enhance the area?
Wildlife corridor connections