07-10-2006 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Item No: 7H Meeting Date: 07/10/06 Type of Business: CB Administrator Review: _____ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Kimberly Blackford, Communications Coordinator Item Title/Subject: Resolution 6870 Approving Contract with Gov.Office to Provide Web Hosting Services Background: Included in the City’s major goals for 2006 is to “Improve Communications with the Public”, Continue to Provide Quality Services with Limited Resources”, and “Improve the City’s effectiveness in the delivery of Services.” Upgrading and improving the function of the City’s web page is seen as a means toward achieving these important goals. The City’s current web page is difficult to navigate for users and updates are time consuming and complicated for staff. The current web site also does not allow residents to submit forms and applications on-line. More and more people are relying on the internet for information and to conduct business. The most recent City survey indicated that the majority of households have internet access either at home or through work. Discussion: The proposed web upgrades will allow the City to provide the following: - On-line citizen opinion polling - On-line completion of forms and applications (e.g., licenses, job applications) - More timely posting of information by each department because system is easier to use - Web page with information that is easier to navigate, well-organized with convenient links - Bulk e-mail feature that will allow specific information to be distributed to residents upon their request - The pages will have more photographs because they will be easier to post The City has received two proposals to provide web-hosting services that would meet the City’s needs. Both of these firms (GovOffice and CivicPlus) have a number of local government clients and specifically tailor their services to local government needs. Attached is a chart comparing the services provided by each of these firms. The cost of this service for the remainder of 2006 will be approximately $2,780, including start-up costs. The annual cost for 2007 will be $1,170. It is recommended that the 2006 amount come from the Council Contingency Account and the annual cost for this service will be proposed as part of the City Central Services budget. Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution Resolution 6870 Approving the Contract with Gov.Office to Provide Web Hosting Services. Included in the proposed cost are the recommended optional services of a custom web banner design ($400) and a monthly on-line forms feature ($300, plus $32,50 per month).