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Sunland Park unveils citizen-request app, promises faster tracking and YouTube streams
Summary
City staff demonstrated 'Sunland Park Connect,' a citizen-request app and website redesign that routes reports to appropriate departments, notifies residents and escalates unanswered requests; the city plans to begin streaming council meetings on YouTube and to publish meeting minutes online.
City staff showcased Sunland Park Connect, a new citizen-request app and a redesigned city website during the Jan. 20 council meeting, saying the tools will let residents report potholes, graffiti, animal-control issues and other local concerns directly to the right department.
The presenter described how reports filed through the app or website are routed to the responsible department and said the system sends an initial confirmation to the resident, staff gets an assignment notification, and supervisors receive alerts if a staff member fails to respond within the city's internal timeline. "When they do submit this request, it does go to the correct department" the presenter said.
Council members asked for an "other" category so residents can supply text descriptions for issues that do not fit preset categories; staff agreed to add a free-text option. Staff said the internal response target is for assigned staff to acknowledge a ticket within three days and for a supervisor to respond by day 10; the resident-facing communications include automated emails and app notifications noting ticket receipt and closure. Carla and the presenter said meeting agendas and minutes will be posted on the site and, soon, council meetings will be streamed to YouTube.
Counselors also requested written schedules and bulletin postings so constituents know regular meeting dates; staff said they will work with the clerk to deliver a consistent calendar or bulletin. The presenter encouraged council members to update their online bios to keep the site current.
The city framed the changes as a convenience and transparency improvement rather than a statutory public-notice mechanism: staff noted app notifications are courtesy reminders and that formal Open Meetings Act postings remain the city clerk's responsibility. The council did not take a formal vote on the app or website; staff said the new features will roll out in the coming weeks and the website redesign should be complete within 60–90 days.
