Links Policy
Overview:
In the interest of our residents, businesses and visitors, the City of Urbandale may post on its website (www.urbandale.org/) links to, or the web addresses of, an external website. All links to an external website will be made in accordance with the following guidelines and with authorization of the City Manager, or the City Manager's designate.
Acceptable Links:
Links to the following types of a website may be authorized, provided that they are consistent with the purpose of the City's website to provide its residents, businesses and visitors with news and official information. The City may authorize links to an external website of an organizations that:
- are local, state, federal, tribal. or other governments or agencies of them
- are not-for-profit or public organizations that have some relationship to the City
- are recognized neighborhoods associations, organizations or similar groups
- are arts, cultural, sports, festival or similar organizations or general interest to Urbandale citizens, businesses or visitors
- are professional trade organizations that are relevant to the mission of the City
- provide information to visitors who are interested in Urbandale or the central Iowa area
- help to further the goals of the City of Urbandale
The City reserves the sole right to determine what external links are provided from the City's website. These links or references to an external website do not constitute an endorsement by the City. The City is not responsible for the nature or accuracy of content or services on these external websites, including linked websites.
Unacceptable Links:
Typically, the City will not post links or references to an external website for the following categories or organizations, except in rare cases where doing so would further the goals of the City of Urbandale.
- candidate sites or sites advocating a position on City or other ballot issues
- corporate commercial sites, except those that meet one or more of the criteria listed above
- individual or personal home pages
- sites that could pose a risk to the security of the City's computer system or networks
- sites that include content that violates community standards or property and decency
Reverse Links:
The City does not object to links from external website o the City website, provided that:
- no relationship with the City is implied or expressed by the link or the context in which the link appears
- the link opens the City's website in a full browser window and not within the content of the linking site, such as in an HTML frame.
Right of Appeal:
Persons or organizations that request a link from the City's website to an external website, and whose request is denied by the City Manager or the City Manager's designate, may appeal in writing to the City Council for a review of the request. In the case of such an appeal, the City Council shall consider the request during open session. A simple majority o the Council shall determine whether the request is granted or denied. In all cases, the Council's decision to grant or deny a request for a link to an external website shall be final.
Additional Information:
For additional information on this policy, please contact the City at (515) 278-3900.
