Replacement of City Commissions with New Citizen Engagement Program.

The City of Sedona’s progressive approach to getting residents involved.

The HistorySix discretionary commissions

Possible reorganization – old system not workingYear-long process

Solution: new Citizen Engagement 

Program

• Operate in subject matter silos • Confusion about roles• Staff intensive• Not productive• Developed work plans before City Council approval and without resources to accomplish work items

• Open meeting laws cumbersome and inherently inefficient

• Frustration over misalignment between Council and Commission priorities

• 2 to 3-year commitment to monthly meetings limited who could participate

• Difficulty filling vacancies & getting quorums

• Flexible, efficient• Centers around task-oriented work groups that are results driven

• Interdisciplinary• Deeper and more meaningful engagement

• Unencumbered by open meeting requirements

• Broader participation• Innovative with digital platforms and use of technology

• Easy, open participation

What Does the Citizen Engagement Program Entail?

Two fundamental components• Idea Generation/  Solicitation of Input

• Work Groups – Tacticalo Staff Ledo Citizens participate alongside staff in a deeper more meaningful wayo Registry of citizen volunteers to draw from

Collecting Ideas and Input from the Community

Through the Website and 

using technology -Comment Box

City Council 

and staff 

interactions 

with citizens 

and other 

stakeholders

(Day to day 

and town 

halls)

Text message, 

email, phone calls, etc.

Citizens Connect App for mobile devices

Social M

edia 

Facebook, 

Twitter, and 

Instagram

Web-based polling and interactive idea lab: Engage Sedona 

Website

Ideas and Input go Unfiltered to City Council

City Council will hear every idea quarterly and then again at their annual priority 

setting work session

List of City Council Priorities for the upcoming year is established

Once Council sets their priority work items, staff/citizen teams work together to address each issue or project

• Current work group examples (15 work groups, 85+ citizens):– Bike Park Work Group– Citizens Budget Work Group– Service Contract Review Work Group– Roundabout Art Work Group– Land Use at Wastewater Treatment Plant– Development Review Work Group– Community Focus Area Work Groups– Uptown Parking and Traffic Work Group– Off Road Vehicles Work Group– Small Grants Review Work Group– Barbara’s Park Design Jury Work Group– Alcohol in the Parks Work Group

Contact

• Contact Karen Daines: 928-203-5067 or KDaines@SedonaAZ.gov

• Be a Fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SedonaCitizenEngagement• Follow the program on Twitter: twitter.com/EngageSedona• Follow the program on Instagram:

instagram.com/cityofsedonacitizenengagement