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 do you think about Flagstaff setting an 80x50 target?
What are the most important resources, systems, or populations that you think Flagstaff should pay attention to in preparing for climate change?
Protecting agains forest fires is huge. There needs to be a focus on creating programs that help create homes that are less likely to be vulnerable to fire. Creating affordable water collection systems and xeriscaping would also be incredibly important.
Why?
Poorer members of the community are least likely to be able to implement these measures.
Please rank the energy strategies from your highest to lowest priority.
Clean energy generation presents a key opportunity to cut emissions.
Constructing and upgrading buildings to meet the highest thresholds for green building performance can dramatically reduce long-term energy use and emissions.
Reducing peak energy demand can have a big impact on electricity emissions because energy providers can reduce total electricity generation. Simple behavior change can reduce emissions.
Other comments related to Energy? Did we miss strategies or actions you would like to see in the Plan?
Flagstaff is blessed with solar and wind; we must use them and move away from any coal power generation.
Please rank the strategies from your highest to lowest priority.
Offering electric vehicle charging infrastructure enables the Flagstaff community to use zero emissions vehicles.
Land use planning can minimize the distance people have to travel by car. This can reduce transportation emissions and promote vibrant downtown areas.
Biking and walking instead of driving personal vehicles presents an opportunity to reduce emissions.
Traveling by public transit has far less of a climate impact than traveling by personal vehicle.
Other comments related to Transportation and Land Use? Did we miss strategies or actions you would like to see in the Plan?
I think Flagstaff needs to strive to create 20% affordable housing. I think we can do it if create market rate rentals with affordable housing and use the profits to grow affordable housing
Please rank the strategies from your highest to lowest priority.
Diverting waste keeps material out of landfills, where it would break down and generate greenhouse gases. Recycling, reuse, and composting offer climate-positive alternatives to sending waste to the landfill
Maximizing the efficiency of waste processing can reduce emissions associated with solid waste.
Consuming goods, services, and food can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting sustainable business practices and educating consumers can reduce emissions.
Other comments related to Waste and Consumption? Did we miss strategies or actions you would like to see in the Plan?
No response.Please rank the strategies from your highest to lowest priority.
Ensuring the forests in Flagstaff are healthy can reduce wildfire risk and sequester carbon.
Public engagement and education can help prevent wildfires.
Environmental systems provide benefits to the Flagstaff community. Protecting ecosystems can increase resiliency to climate change.
Other comments related to Environmental Planning, Conservation and Open Space? Did we miss strategies or actions you would like to see in the Plan?
No response.Please rank the strategies from your highest to lowest priority.
By promoting a sustainable local economy, Flagstaff can support businesses reducing emissions and adapting to climate change.
Ensuring Flagstaff’s ecological resources can sustain tourism improves climate and economic resiliency.
Other comments related to Economic Prosperity and Recreation? Did we miss strategies or actions you would like to see in the Plan?
Is the summer busier for tourism?
Please rank the strategies from your highest to lowest priority.
Reducing water use through conservation reduces emissions and protects vital resources.
Maintaining forest health is vital to watersheds.
Water infrastructure that enables water reuse can help conserve water resources. Potential actions include:
Other comments related to Water Resources? Did we miss strategies or actions you would like to see in the Plan?
Charge more for water! That is the most effective way to change behavior.
Please rank the strategies from your highest to lowest priority.
The elderly, homeless, and low-income populations are most vulnerable to climate change. Identifying and protecting vulnerable communities now will reduce the impacts of climate change.
Preparing for climate change hazards and developing public services will allow the Flagstaff community to be resilient to climate impacts.
Other comments related to Public Health, Services, Facilities, and Safety? Did we miss strategies or actions you would like to see in the Plan?
No response.Among the seven focus areas discussed, what are your highest priorities? Indicate which areas you think need the most focus using a 'budget' of 7 dots. If you think all focus areas are equally important, put one dot on each item. If you think an area is not important at all, do not award a dot.
Do you have any other feedback on the goals, strategies, or this process?
Affordable housing needs major change and major focus!