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<br />City Council Regular Meeting - 11/13/06 <br />Minutes - Page 13 <br /> <br />4) Consider using an off-site web site host. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller reviewed the status of the City's website; quality; need <br />for a greater presence as e-govemment solutions continue to <br />evolve; and desire for a dynamic, robust website that is capable of <br />greater functionality for the average user; and more consistency <br />among departments for organizational structure and identity. <br /> <br />Staff recommended City Council direction for staff to prepare and <br />distribute a Request for Proposals (RFP's) to an established list of <br />design firms; based on recent redesign costs incurred by other <br />cities, at an estimated cost of approximately $20,000. Mr. Miller <br />noted that there were no current monies appropriated in the 2007 <br />Budget for the purpose, but suggested that money be taken out of <br />the City's Cable contingency at the Council's direction. Mr. <br />Miller advised that the City staff didn't have the resources or <br />expertise to do the updates and redesign in-house, and to <br />customize the marketing and information aspects of the website, <br />while preserving the flexibility among departments and <br />recognizing the needs of users. <br /> <br />Discussion included use of funds; need for aesthetic <br />improvements and more consistency in design, flow and <br />organizational structure; increases in e-govemment services; <br />larger presence of the website to accommodate additional growth <br />and services; and investing in the website as a demonstration to <br />the public that the City is attempting to provide information in an <br />easy format and functional way. <br /> <br />Additional discussion included the overall savings in staff time <br />and money through electronic means; status and future of the <br />Cable Franchise Fund; and staff continuing ongoing maintenance <br />of the site. <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan offered her support of up to $20,000 in <br />funding from the Communication Fund for 2007, but noted she <br />would not support taking any funds from the General Tax Levy <br />revenues. <br /> <br />Councilmember Maschka offered his support; and use of the <br />Communication Fund as appropriate. <br />