During the meeting, the council addressed the awarding of a contract to Civic Plus for the redesign of the city’s website. Elka Johnson, the administrative and communications coordinator, outlined the need for an overhaul, as the last major update occurred in 2021. The redesign aims to create a user-friendly platform with a flexible content management system to provide timely information and ensure compliance with new web content accessibility mandates from the Department of Justice. Johnson highlighted that the redesign would improve community engagement and provide an intuitive online experience.

The selection process for the website redesign was careful. An initial request for proposals issued on April 9 attracted 43 submissions, which were narrowed down based on budget constraints, municipal experience, adherence to accessibility guidelines, and the quality of training and support provided. Civic Plus emerged as the preferred vendor, known for its competitive pricing and strong compliance with accessibility standards. The familiarity of Civic Plus’s website design was seen as beneficial for residents transitioning to the new site.

The proposed website features include an agenda center, emergency alerts, and a newsletter module called CivicSend, which would streamline communication with residents. Johnson presented the costs, estimating initial expenses of $9,661 without CivicSend and $12,035 with it, alongside annual costs of $8,676 and $11,000.50 respectively. A 5% technology fee would apply from the second year onwards. The council showed support for the transition, with members reflecting on past difficulties with the current vendor and the anticipated improvements with Civic Plus, particularly its accessibility features through AudioEye.

The council also discussed a new communication strategy, proposing that residents could select specific topics for notifications, such as crime alerts or neighborhood updates, directly through the city’s website. This change aims to address the slow and cumbersome current sign-up process, with approximately 1,600 subscribers to the city’s email newsletter system.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the importance of maintaining the new website’s compatibility with existing online payment and registration systems. Concerns about budget increases due to the new website were addressed, with Civic Plus’s subscription model offering a more manageable financial framework, including a free redesign every four years.

Multilingual capabilities were another focal point, as the current reliance on Google Translate was questioned for its accuracy. Civic Plus’s measures to ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines were presented as a solution to ongoing concerns.

Following these discussions, the council unanimously passed Resolution 25-72, officially awarding the contract to Civic Plus. Other council decisions included the adoption of a finance department assessment proposal from ABDO Financial Solutions and approval of the Ramsey County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The meeting also featured a review of a consent agenda, including a resolution to refund excess gambling taxes collected from Roseville Area Youth Hockey. The council acknowledged the current tax rate as higher than necessary and recommended a reimbursement.

Community engagement initiatives were discussed, with the scheduling of a joint workshop with the Planning Commission on August 6. This workshop will focus on stakeholder engagement regarding the potential sale of the Les Bolstad Golf Course property. Additionally, the council emphasized the importance of civic participation in upcoming projects involving the University of Minnesota and other stakeholders.

In the announcements segment, council members expressed gratitude for a successful ice cream social organized by the Community Engagement Commission, which facilitated connections with residents, including those in apartments. The event exceeded expectations, with 450 ice cream servings distributed, and was praised for its organization despite logistical challenges.

Further updates included public works projects, such as storm drain replacements and utility locates, with progress reported in Falcon Woods and Northholm. The council commended the responsiveness of public works staff in addressing community concerns.