City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Find Answers Ask a Question Make a Request My Action Center Additional Information Creating an Account - How and Why Instructions for Creating an Account: • From the Login screen, click the CREATE AN ACCOUNT link. • On the next screen, enter your e-mail address, Name (Last, and First) and address information.   These are required fields and are marked with a red asterisk *   You may also choose to enter your   phone number, although it is not required. • Click SUBMIT • You will then see the message “Your account has been created and your password sent to the email   address you provided. Retrieve your password and click below to login”. • Retrieve your password from your e-mail, and return to the login page to log into your account.   The Citizen Action Center is a web based service where users can find information, ask questions, file complaints, and request service from the City of Sault Ste. Marie.  The Citizen Action Center is used for routine matters.  Call 911 in case of an Emergency. A quick overview of the Action Center is provided here, so you know what to expect when you get there. Once you arrive at the Citizen Action Center you can choose from the 4 options below: Users can view the answers to many Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s).   Users can view the entire list, or find the answer to their specific question by either choosing a category from the dropdown list, or by entering their own search term. Once a Category is chosen from the dropdown list, or a search term has been entered, simply click the SEARCH button to view only those answers that pertain to your search. If, the answer to your question cannot be found in the FAQ’s, simply click on the “Ask a Question” link, and you will be prompted to Log In, or to Create an Account if you are a first time User.  (More on Creating an Account- How and Why - can be found below.) After you log in, you will be asked to choose a category.  Choose the category that you think most closely matches the topic of your question - the categories are used to help the system direct your question to the most appropriate staff member.  Type in your question, and click “Submit Your Question”.  You will receive an e-mail when the question has been answered. Use this section to report a problem, register a complaint, or request certain city services.  Users may choose the Request Type from the entire list, or choose a category from the dropdown menu.  Once a category is chosen, and the user clicks the ‘Find Request Type’ button, only those request types that pertain to the chosen category will be shown. Once the user clicks the ‘Select’ button next to a Request Type, they will be asked to log in.  A few of the request types include a ‘Submit Anonymously’ link at the bottom of the login page; however, most types require a login. (More on Creating an Account - How and Why - can be viewed below) This is where users check the status of Requests Submitted and Questions Asked.  Registered users may also use this section to update their customer account information (i.e, address, phone, e-mail), and change their password. Once you choose either “View my Issues”, or  “Edit Customer Account Information”, you will be prompted to log in. Choosing “View my Issues” results in a list of all of the Requests and Questions that have been initiated by you. Click on the Reference Number to see the details of the Request or Question and a history of the communications by you and/or City Staff concerning the issue.  At any time, you may choose the “New Message” button on the bottom of this screen to add more information and/or upload a file.  An email will be sent to you when your issue has been updated by City Staff.  The e-mail will prompt you to log in and view the new information; so always make sure that your e-mail address is current. WHY? A few of the Request Types will allow the user to submit a report anonymously.  However, most Request Types require the user to create an account and log in prior to submitting the report or request.  Creating an account is easy and confidential.  We never sell or give away your e-mail address.  In order to avoid spam and other nuisance uses of the system, when the user registers, their initial password is e-mailed to them. This verifies that the user has entered their e-mail address correctly so that communications back from City staff will be successful, and it also stops mass registrations and abuse of the system by malicious sources.  You can still make a report anonymously by calling City Hall; City staff can enter your information directly into the system without requiring you to register.  Keep in mind, though, that creating an account, allows you to return to the Citizen Action Center to view the status of your request or report; submitting anonymously does not. HOW? Wherever you are prompted to Log In using your e-mail address and password, you will also see a link where first time users can Create an Account.  You only have to register once.  After that, if you need to change any information such as address, phone number or e-mail address, you can use the “Edit Customer Account Information” link in the “My Action Center” section of the website to make your changes.  This allows all of your issues to remain associated with your account, even though some of your personal information may change. Attaching a File - How and Why WHY? Many of the request types allow the user to attach a file to their request.  This feature enables the user to transmit files such as photos and other electronic documents along with their written request.  A user may wish to attach a photo or scanned document or drawing to their request.  This is particularly useful when the photo or other document might make the description of the situation easier to understand. HOW? At the bottom of many of the request forms, you will find a spot where you can ‘Attach a File’.  Only one file can be attached to your request at that point. The following step-by-step instructions how you how to attach a file to your request, as well as how to add more files and messages.  Files and messages can be added to a request at any time; even if the request has already been completed.   • Click on the BROWSE button and browse to the file on your computer that you wish to transmit.  • Double click the file and the path to the file will be entered on ther request form. • Click the SUBMIT button and your file will be uploaded and attached to your request.  • To add more files: Re-open the request in the “My Action Center” • Click the NEW MESSAGE button located below the service request details. • A new window will open where you can add another file and send another message.