Airway Heights applauded in public outreach

Airway Heights is being recognized nationally for its efforts over the past four years to bring innovation to public engagement.

The National Research Center has selected Airway Heights as one of three finalists in its 2015 Voice of the People awards in the “transformation” category.

“This distinction is given to communities that have demonstrated the largest positive change” based on citizen surveys, according to a news release from Airway Heights this week.

City Manager Albert Tripp said city staff and the city’s elected officials began revamping the city’s public outreach about four years ago.

In the past, the city relied largely on public meetings and hearings like most cities have done over the years.

Tripp said the city now conducts a random survey of residents every two years to gauge their opinions on a variety of issues.

In addition, city staff and City Council members have gone out into the community to hold forums in places such as apartment buildings, the city library or the local supermarket.

“We’ve come to the conclusion we need to go where the public is,” Tripp said. “This is a big deal for us.”

From the input, the city has established a series of priorities and goals that it tracks regularly.

For example, the city has been sampling citizen preferences on use of a new sales tax collection to fund projects for streets, sidewalks, paths and bicycle lanes.

Citizens have told the city they would like to see improved recreation opportunities, including the possibility of a swimming pool, space for classes and activities, and an exercise facility.

The public also endorses the addition of two police officers and two part-time firefighters to enhance public safety.

Airway Heights is working on increasing its presence online through social media, but also through an online community engagement website known as Open Town Hall.

The system developed by Peak Democracy Inc., of Berkeley, California, creates open forums and then moderates them. The city will receive the feedback on different policy issues. The company uses its analytic tools to provide geographic and demographic information as well.

The Voice of the People awards will be handed out at the International City/County Management Association’s annual conference in Seattle in September.