Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.
Wayne Morris, top right, shows the new website to Mayor Tony Picklesimer and city employees Gerri Roberts, Crystal Ethredge and Jane Anne Mueller, who are on the design committee.
The city of Chelsea’s website recently received an overhaul. Although the previous website was only several years old, with the constant changes in technology, it was time to equip it with upgrades and more capabilities. The new website will launch Oct. 10.
Wayne Morris, who was contracted by the city for the redesign, said the new version will have much more functionality. Morris, along with Chelsea Community Center Programs Director Jane Ann Mueller, GIS Coordinator Gerri Roberts, City Councilman Casey Morris and Mayor Tony Picklesimer all had input in the design process.
“When you go to the new site, you can do something instead of just reading,” Morris said. “We wanted it to be engaging and interactive. This site is cross-platform compatible, meaning it will be user friendly on phones, tablets, laptops and more. It is also ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] compatible.”
From start to finish, the timeline for the project took around nine months to complete. Morris said this is the most interactive site the city has ever had. Partnering with the Civic Plus, the integrated platform for local governments, allowed for interactive capability.
Some of the new features include a “Notify Me” option, which provides tools for people to receive notifications they want to hear about or things they are interested in, such as meetings or other activities. They can pick and choose the areas they are most interested in and receive a text or email for notification about it.
Also available will be the ability to report a problem. If residents see an issue such as a pothole or streetlamp out, they can report it immediately through the website and even attach a photo, which will be directly reported to City Hall.
“This will help make sure nothing falls through the cracks and the person doing the reporting will receive a response back on what is being done or completed,” Morris said. “It will provide real-time updates as information becomes available.”
Multiple forms will now be available online, including annexations, licenses and permits that can either be completed via an online form, or if it requires a signature, can be printed off in a PDF format. A large retention of documents will also be accessible for users to search.
All of the city’s social media outlets will be linked on the website, and live transmissions will be updated continuously, with a real-time feed. Along with a fresh new look and design, ease of navigation was a high priority. Morris said the idea was for users to click no more than two or three times to find what they need. There will also be a search capability available on the website.
The Chelsea Rec Desk, community center, library and fire department will all be linked, making it a one-stop shop for users to find what they need throughout the city. A news and announcements tab will keep the community up to date on special events, announcements, road closings and more, along with a calendar listing upcoming events.
Each department head will receive training on the new site, so they can make updates and changes as needed.
Picklesimer said he is excited about the new website’s debut and that it will contain more information.
“We are excited to see how it will grow and increase the interactivity between citizens and [City Hall]. I’d like to think it will put us on the map as far upcoming events and services we offer,” he said.
To see the new website after it launches Oct. 10, visit cityofchelsea.com.
