An online survey system that has helped cities like Santa Cruz and Seattle collect bright ideas from citizens could make waves in Oakland if the city sees fit to apply for a grant program that would fully fund it.

Common Sense California and survey system creator UserVoice will help five grantees set up the program and train them how to run it, a service grantors say is worth up to $10,000 a pop.

The Online Public Engagement Program, deadline March 8, is open to city and regional officials, special districts and news organizations that are "looking for more effective ways to involve their publics in significant policy decisions. These can range from land use and budget questions on the municipal side to school regionalization and district visioning in the K-12 area."

Using the program, Seattle asked residents to suggest ideas for the future of the city. St. Louis wanted to know how its citizens felt about a crime map the police created.

The city of Santa Cruz solicited ideas from locals about its budget: "This is your city. Though these challenges are shared with a nation and indeed the world, we need to come up with our own solutions. How would you like to see the city handle these trying times?"

An empty box follows the prompt, allowing users to fill in thoughts and suggestions. Other users then vote up the most promising ideas. In Santa Cruz's case, Mayor Cynthia Mathews responded directly to many of the ideas. Other users also can comment. To make a suggestion or share an idea, users must create an account and log into the site.

According to Common Sense California's Web site, the organization developed this outreach program because many agencies "do not have a budget line item devoted to 'citizen engagement.'"

Reach out to Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums or your city council member if you think Oakland might benefit from the program.