HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-06; City Website Update; Ray, KristinaTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date'Stlo/::>.J CA ✓ CC ✓
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May 6, 2021
To: Honorable Mayor Hal
From:
Via:
Re:
Kristina Ray, Commu
Scott Chadwick, City
City Website Update
ncil Memorandum
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID #2021096
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an overview of upcoming changes to the City of
Carlsbad's website.
Background
The city website uses a "content management system," which is a cloud-based software that lets
users without specialized technical knowledge manage website content. The current version of
the city's website was launched about six years ago, in 2014.
The content management system used for the current website has become obsolete and is no
longer supported by the vendor. As a result, staff has moved the website into the vendor's next-
generation content management system. This new version of the website is scheduled to launch
May 17, 2021.
Update vs redesign
The new city website is an update of the existing one, rather than a redesign. As such, users
should not notice a significant change. However, staff has taken this opportunity to refine the
navigation, simplify the visual design, and update content based on the most recent analytics,
city priorities and community feedback.
The project was funded by Information Technology Department FY 2018-19 budget carryfoward
and approved in FY 2019-20 at a cost of $69,715 for website design, migration, implementation ·
and hosting services. The costs included an increase in the annual maintenance fee of $6,815
due to the change of the software maintenance being hosted by the vendor. This increase brings
the total annual maintenance to $17,120 which was included in the FY 2020-21 Information
Technology Departments Operating Budget and continued on in the FY 2021-22 budget request
with a small percentage annual increase as per the agreeement.
A more comprehensive redesign of the city's website could be considered in the future as part of
the city's overall digital infrastructure program. Given the resources required, such a project
would be proposed as part of the city budget process.
Office of the City Manager
1200 Carlsbad Village I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2820 t
Council Memo -New City Website
May 6, 2021
Page 2
What's new
Although the general look and feel of the website will remain consistent, the new content
management system has several advantages:
• Enhanced mobile design capabilities.
• New Service Finder module that lets community members look up specific needs and be
directed to the appropriate page.
• More flexible page templates allowing staff to highlight information more effectively for
the public.
• A streamlined page layout with greater contrast for enhanced readability.
• Automatic page review notifications so staff will be prompted on a regular basis to
update content.
Next steps
Staff will email a link to City Council members prior to the launch, and we welcome your
feedback. Staff will also continue to monitor website analytics and make site refinements on an
ongoing basis so the city's website continues to be a valuable tool for our community.
cc: Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Maria Callander, IT Director