HomeMy WebLinkAbout6A Website Update 61 4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: JULY 13, 2015
AGENDA#: 6A
PREPARED BY: MICHAEL PETERSON, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
PRESENTED BY: MICHAEL PETERSON
AGENDA ITEM: CITY WEBSITE UPDATE, REDESIGN AND MOBILITY
DISCUSSION: The Prior Lake City website has grown and changed a great deal in the
last nine years.
Of the most notable improvements, in 2008, streaming media (video on
demand) was added as a convenient feature for residents to view public
meetings and cable shows such as the City Council and Planning
Commission meetings and the City's own informative talk show"News
From Inside City Hall."
In the past, only cable subscribers had access to these videos. With
video on demand video access was available to anyone anywhere with
an electronic device which could access the city website. We are aware
Prior Lake residents who winter in the sun belt but stay informed by
watching city meetings using this tool.
Equally impressive is that these changes were undertaken and continue
to entail minimal city cost in contrast to far more expensive Granicus type
subscription services. A city council suggestion and a great deal of staff
research and effort resulted in this positive outcome.
A more sweeping website redesign took place in 2011.
As time has passed and technology improved, the needs of online users
has changed. An ever-increasing number of electronic devices with
varying screen sizes are used to access the Web. As a result, sweeping
changes were needed in the websites themselves to satisfy these
customers.
With this in mind, in 2014, the City's website was given a head-to-toe
redesign with input from other government entities, staff, advisory
committee members and the public. The City's site was given a modern
look and theme with a structure and utility more in keeping with those of
other government and business sites.
This year, modern adaptive and responsive capabilities were added to
the restructured website so that mobile device users such as iPhone and
iPad users and other smart phones could also easily access information.
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245/www.cityofpriorlake.com
Unlike "mobile Apps" that perform limited and often specialized functions,
our mobile website allows near complete access to all of the features of
our"full size" city website.
Now, with the restructuring and mobile device formatting complete,
Communications Coordinator Michael Peterson will give a brief overview
of the website enhancements, benefits to the user and cost savings.
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