CIPA (Citizen Initiated Performance Assessment)

On December 18, 2000, City Council approved the City’s participation in Citizen Initiated Performance Assessment ( CIPA ). The team participating in the project includes citizens nominated by the Des Moines Neighbors, a member from the City Council, and City staff. The project's funding came from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation through Iowa State University. Training and technology were provided by the ComNET (Computerized Neighborhood Environment Tracking) through development from the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY).

The purpose of CIPA is to enhance citizen participation in performance assessment. The team has examined various issues relating to nuisance control and has worked to develop performance measures for the City. Currently, the team is developing a survey of neighborhood infrastructure and conditions. Neighborhood representatives from Gray's Woods and Indianola Hills volunteered to pioneer this project.

This spring volunteer citizens from these neighborhoods, assisted by representatives from Fund for the City of New York, Iowa State University and the City of Des Moines, used handheld computers (PDA's) to identify and record problems located in the participating neighborhoods. Examples of areas of concern recorded were curb repair, potholes, weeds, junk cars, and graffiti.

The data gathered was then entered in to the City's Citywide Citizen Response System (CCRS). This system allows participating city departments to more accurately and effectively track and respond to requests for information and then expedite services. CCRS has increased the city's ability to gain knowledge about citizen expectations, management of services and measurement of performance.

With the information in the CCRS, the neighborhood groups can then access the information entered into the system through the city's web site at
http://hss.dmgov.org/heatselfservice/blueballoon/en-us/ to check on the progress of the surveys taken.