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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — June 13, 2011 4 B. Discussion on Community Development vision and goals and discussion on redesign of the City's website (continued) Community Development Director Hutmacher stated the duties are split between three to four people and City Planner Beekman does a portion of it. Councilmember Holden stated the website is an important tool in communicating with the residents and should be updated and kept current. City Administrator Klaers stated the Cable Fund has funds available that could be used for the website. The City could also look at the possibility of hiring a person to maintain the website or contracting these services. Councilmember Holden asked if Staff could put together a Request for Proposals to find a person that could be put in charge of the project and make the calls and research needed for this project so that Staff would not have to do this. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated some of the websites that are easier to utilize have a division between business and visitor information and also by department and services. Councilmember Holden stated the City's current website was done with GovOffice. This package had been a good product at the time the City purchased it. She asked if Staff had looked into these updates for GovOffice. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated GovOffice is planning a major upgrade but at this time there is no release date and she does not know what the software entails at this time. Councilmember Tamble stated if the City is going to pursue a new website then the technology should be as new as possible. If GovOffice is planning major upgrades to their software it may be worth looking at it but he suggested looking at other products City Administrator Klaers stated Staff will contact other cities to find out what products they use, if they have an internal person to maintain the site, or if they contract out these services. Staff will compile the data and bring it back to the Council for further direction. Councilmember Holden suggested contacting a professor at Bethel University who may be able to help Staff in mapping out the direction that Staff should take, or the information that Staff will need to proceed. They may be able to tell Staff what options are available. She also stated the City could look at bringing in college students for the maintenance of the website. City Administrator Klaers stated Staff would be able to do the research and determine the options available to the City without hiring a contractor. Councilmember Tamble stated there are two costs involved with this project; the initial design of the website and the ongoing expense of maintaining the website.