Communications & Outreach

Thank you for engaging with the City of Ames through our official social media platforms, including those operated by CyRide, Ames Public Library, and Furman Aquatic Center. These forums are intended to foster positive and respectful dialogue within our community.

To ensure a safe and constructive environment for all users, the following guidelines apply:

1. Respectful Communication

Users are expected to always treat others with courtesy and respect. Disagreements may occur, but all interactions must remain civil and constructive.

2. Prohibited Content

The City of Ames reserves the right to remove content or block users without notice if posts are determined to be:

• Libelous or defamatory
• Obscene or offensive
• Threatening or harassing
• Soliciting or promoting commercial products or services
• Infringing upon the rights, including intellectual property rights, of others

3. User Responsibility

Content shared on City of Ames social media platforms is publicly visible. Users should avoid posting detailed personal information that may compromise their privacy or security. The City strongly advises against sharing any content that could make you vulnerable to identity theft or personal harm.

4. Third-Party Platform Disclaimer

Please note that the City of Ames has no control over the data collection, use, or sharing policies of third-party social media platforms. Users are encouraged to review the privacy and security settings of these platforms and use caution when posting.

5. Reporting Inappropriate Content

If you encounter content that you believe violates this policy or is otherwise inappropriate, please report it to the Communications and Outreach Department:

Email: printern@cityofames.org
Phone: 515-239-5204

The City of Ames is not responsible for user-generated content posted by others on its social media platforms.

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.