Communications & Outreach

Thank you for participating on one of the City of Ames' social media sites (including CyRide, Ames Public Library, and Furman Aquatic Center). We ask that you treat others with respect, even if disagreements occur. Please do not post material that could be considered an infringement on the rights of others. The City of Ames reserves the right to delete postings, or block users, that it deems to be slanderous, obscene, soliciting or threatening.

If you find inappropriate content on one of our social media sites, please notify an administrator immediately by emailing printern@cityofames.org or by calling the Communications and Outreach department at 515-239-5204. The City of Ames is not responsible for inappropriate content submitted by other users.

Remember that these are public forums and whatever information you share will be viewed by others. Consider this carefully before posting detailed personal information. We caution you against posting any information that could make you vulnerable to identity theft. Even if your privacy settings are set to the maximum, never assume anything you post is private. The City of Ames has no control over the policies and practices of these third-party sites.

The City of Ames, IA has adopted a policy on links from the City's website. The City of Ames limits links to those sites that promote the economic welfare, tourism, and industry of the city, as well as links to government and educational institutions.

 The City will not permit an electronic link from its website except upon the following conditions, and only after written application to the City is approved by the Communications and Outreach department based upon information in the application showing that the applicant meets at least one of the following criteria:

• The State of Iowa or the federal government or an agency thereof;
• An educational institution in the State of Iowa funded with public funds;
• A not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Iowa which promotes the economic welfare, tourism and industry of the City of Ames;
• A commission or agency funded in whole or in part by the City of Ames, Iowa;
• A party that has an established partnership with the City of Ames and which promotes the economic welfare, tourism, and industry of the City. 

Placement of the link is at the sole discretion of the City of Ames.

Links to many web sites are not controlled, maintained, or regulated by the City of Ames or any organization affiliated with the City of Ames, and the City of Ames is not responsible for the content of those web sites. Use of information obtained from those web sites is voluntary, and reliance on that information should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy. Reference at those web sites to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by the City of Ames.

Links to websites may be terminated if the City of Ames determines in its sole discretion that the linking party ceases to meet the criteria as outlined in this policy.

For additional information, contact:

Communications and Outreach, City Hall, 515 Clark Ave, Ames, IA 50010

Phone  515.239.5204 or email sgwiasda@cityofames.org

Policies:

In order for a program to be aired on Ames Television, it must meet one or more of the following criteria. The program must:

• Promote Ames City Government
• Be produced or sponsored by one of the following:
  (a) Ames Mayor and City Council
  (b) City of Ames Departments
  (c) City of Ames Boards & Commissions
  (d) If the program does meet the above requirements, coverage would be at the direction of the Ames City Council

Goals:

• To provide quality programming to the citizens of Ames that educates and informs about city government issues
• To provide live coverage and rebroadcasts of council and commission meetings

The purpose of Ames Public Access TV (Mediacom Channel 121-16) is to provide residents the opportunity to broadcast locally produced programs on cable television.  APATV provides cablecasting of non-commercial, public access programming independently produced by professionals or non-professionals in an electronic format.  This service is provided on a first-come-first-served, non-discriminatory, non-monopolistic basis.

Political promotions are prohibited on APATV.

APATV is administered by the Communications and Outreach Staff in conjunction with the Ames City Council.

Program Submission and Program Scheduling

Instructions for program submission:

1. Program MUST be accompanied by a signed APATV Program Agreement(PDF, 110KB) . Submit forms to the City Manager's Office in City Hall at 515 Clark Avenue.
2. Program must meet technical standards requirement and files must be labeled with program title and total running time (duration of the event/show).
3. Final decisions regarding specific airtime(s) are made by Communications and Outreach programming staff.

In the event that Communications and Outreach staff receives a complaint which indicates that the Program Agreement has been violated, the producer/sponsor agrees to allow staff to retain and review any production-related material which was submitted by the producer for cablecast on the Ames Public Access Television channel. The producer further agrees that program playback will be postponed until APATV staff can verify contract compliance.