Ready for anything

Call 911 any time there is a life-threatening emergency — situations where someone's life, safety, or property is in immediate danger and a rapid response is needed. This includes:

• Medical emergencies – unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, stroke symptoms, or seizures
• Fire or explosion – in a home, vehicle, or public space
• Crime in progress – robbery, assault, break-in, or any violent situation
• Serious accidents – car crashes with injuries, falls from height, or industrial accidents
• Missing person in danger – especially a child or vulnerable adult

Most non-emergency issues can be reported online, by phone, or through the city's service request system — and you'll receive a tracking number so you can follow progress.

For immediate threats or danger, call 911 right away.

Common requests include:

• Streets and sidewalks — potholes, damaged curbs, blocked storm drains
• Streetlights and traffic signals — outages or signal timing problems
• Sanitation — missed pickup, bulk item collection, illegal dumping
• Code compliance — overgrown lots, abandoned vehicles, unpermitted work
• Water and sewer — leaks, low pressure, or backups

For urgent but non-emergency concerns outside business hours, use the city's non-emergency line.

Public records are available to any resident on request. Here's how to get one:

Step 1: Identify the department that holds the record Records stay with the department that created them — the City Clerk for council minutes, ordinances, and contracts; Public Works for permits and inspections; Finance for budgets and expenditures.

Step 2: Submit your request You can request records through any of these methods:

• Online – Use the records request form in the Forms Center
• In person – Visit the City Clerk's office during business hours
• By mail – Send a written request describing the records you need
• By phone – Call the Clerk's office if you are unsure which department to ask

Step 3: Track your request You will receive written acknowledgment and an estimated response date. Most requests are fulfilled within a few business days; larger requests may be released in batches.

Can City Staff Attend My Neighborhood Meeting?

Yes — city staff and elected officials regularly attend neighborhood and community meetings as part of the city's commitment to transparency, education, and resident engagement.

In Neighborhoods: Departments can send a representative to speak about:

• Capital projects — road work, utility upgrades, and park improvements planned for your area
• Budget and planning — how to read the city budget and comment before it is adopted
• Permits and code — what requires a permit and how inspections work
• Town halls and community meetings — regular forums where residents can raise concerns and ask questions

Requests are coordinated through the City Manager's office, so availability varies by department and time of year.

In Schools: Staff also support classroom and youth programs, including:

• Career day and classroom visits — staff speak about public service and how local government works
• Youth council and internships — hands-on programs for students interested in civic work
• Facility tours — visits to City Hall, the water treatment plant, or the public works yard

Schools coordinate directly with the city, so visit frequency and program availability vary by campus.