HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 19- BetterTogetherEdinaLaunch1
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City launches new online engagement site
Edina, Minn., Feb. 19, 2019 – The City recently launched www.BetterTogetherEdina.org, a new online
engagement website.
The site replaces SpeakUpEdina.org, launched in 2012. Edina was among the first cities in Minnesota to use an
online engagement site. While Granicus’ Speak Up, Edina! platform had more than 1,900 registrants, the technology
slowly fell behind. After reviewing eight online engagement tools, Bang The Table’s EngagementHQ was selected to
host the City’s new engagement site, “Better Together Edina.”
“To create an engaging and inclusive community, we knew the City would need a robust engagement system
equipped with engaging tools and outreach methods and inviting to individuals who can’t always attend a traditional
meeting,” said MJ Lamon, who began her new role as Community Engagement Coordinator with the City in
December.
Lamon, who worked alongside Senior Communications Coordinator Kaylin Eidsness to select and launch the site,
said the tool is meant to make it easier for the public to give feedback and receive information.
“Whether it’s learning more about a street project or helping to decide what new playground amenities should be
built at a park, Better Together Edina should make it easier for residents to follow along with a project and share
their feedback,” added Eidsness.
The site boasts a variety of tools and resources to help meet the community engagement goals of nearly any
project.
“This tool won’t replace open houses and community meetings, but if people don’t want to or can’t attend a
project meeting, they can share their feedback on this site,” said Lamon. “Everything that’s presented at those
meetings will also be shared on this site.”
Eidsness and Lamon both hope that Better Together Edina will help to create a more informed public, which will in
turn help better City decision-making.
For more information on Better Together Edina, contact Lamon at MLamon@EdinaMN.gov or Eidsness at
keidsness@EdinaMN.gov.
-30-