Collegedale residents will soon be clicking their way through a redesigned city website. City commissioners unanimously voted to select the highest bidder for a new website. Civic Plus will receive $26,370 from the city over a three-year period for the redesign.
QScend Technologies came next in line with a bid of more than $21,000. Commissioners decided to go with the more expensive company due to additional features offered in comparison to the other companies.
"They offer a lot of stuff for integration that the other companies aren’t offering,” said Cristy Pratt, city recorder.
The features will include a mobile site people can access through their smart phones.
Residents will also have the option to sign up for weather and information text alerts.
Commissioners also approved a special exception permit for a new recycling center.
Because the property at the corner of Lee Highway and Main Street is being leased from a private owner, River City Recycle obtained a special permit in December for permission to operate the center. In an amendment to that permit, the commission placed a restriction on it, allowing the city to revoke the permit at any time.
Recycling centers typically receive a manufacturing zoning classification. The new center sits on a plot with commercial zoning status.
City Manager Ted Rogers said that although three-quarters of the financial year has passed, the city has already collected 83 percent of budget revenue.
“I’m very pleased,” he said.
City Manager Rogers reported building permits are being snatched up, 225 percent over the numbers for the previous year.
He mentioned next year’s budget will have room for the replacement of the city’s garbage trucks.
Commissioner Debbie Baker brought a library board proposal about a summer reading program. The library will offer temporary memberships from June to August for students who do not reside in Collegedale or currently own a library membership. Students and families could purchase the $10 memberships for the summer. A limit of 10 books could be checked out.
Commissioner Baker said last year 800 children participated in the summer reading program.
“I don’t want to lose those 800 children,” she said.
The commission unanimously voted to approve the proposal.
If a family were to pay the temporary fee, the money would count toward a regular annual membership if the family decided to purchase one. Family memberships cost $85 for non-residents. Membership is free for Collegedale citizens.
The commission workshop will be held April 23.