The city of La Cañada Flintridge has launched FlashVote, a public input mechanism to quickly and efficiently receive input from the community on city-related topics.
The idea, which came from City Manager Daniel Jordan, is a method for residents to share their thoughts on a variety of topics through a survey format.
“I first heard about and started using FlashVote when I was city manager of the city of Duarte,” Jordan said. “We had been looking for some way of reliably surveying our residents and getting broadly representative feedback on the quality of city programs and services.”
Director of administrative services Arabo Parseghian told the Outlook Valley Sun that the city is constantly looking at ways to get public input outside of a simple public meeting format and hopes that residents get involved.
Currently, 68 residents are signed up and Jordan is excited to get the program moving.
“FlashVote is a relatively quick and inexpensive means of getting input for a wide array of residents,” he said. “Given the current City Council’s interest in expanding the city’s level of communication and dialogue with the community, FlashVote provides another tool to facilitate that dialogue and will, ultimately, enable us to better tailor our programs and services around the needs of our community.”
Parseghian agreed with Jordan and said FlashVote is a simple, quick, non-biased way to participate in the community and allow the community to speak on various matters, and who they believe should tackle those issues or subjects.
Topics can include anything related to public safety, parks, programs and much more, Parseghian said.
He added that various people, including staff, management, city commissions and the City Council, will be reviewing the responses.
“Again, it would depend on the topic,” Parseghian said. “For example, if the topic is related to parking and the item is going to the commission, the city may conduct a survey which then the commission can include as part of their consideration and deliberation.”
According to the city website, signing up can take less than one minute and any input always remains anonymous.
“When residents sign up, they can determine how surveys are received — whether by email, text or phone call,” reads the city website.
Residents are expected to receive a notification whenever there is a new survey, and they will have 48 hours to participate before voting closes. Once the survey closes, participants will automatically receive a summary of overall results and will be able to see how their responses compare with the group’s.
Parseghian said that the goal is to try to send out a survey at least once a month to generate engagement.
To sign up, visit flashvote.com/cityoflcf to participate by phone or text only.
First published in the June 13 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
