Rolling Meadows to update website
Rolling Meadows will debut an updated website with a number of new tools for residents, staff and visitors starting next week.
“This is something that we've been talking about for a while,” said Mayor Tom Rooney. “I'm thrilled at the work that's been done.”
The city council approved the redevelopment of the website in October 2014. The project cost came in under $24,000, according to city documents.
Justin Chiappetta, the city's IT coordinator, walked the city council through the new website on Tuesday night as a preview of what will launch to the public next week.
The new website is more colorful, better organized and easier to navigate than what is available now, officials said. It will include tabs for residents to find out more about city departments, contact the city staff and city council, pay for vehicle stickers and other fees, get news about the city and view important city documents.
The new website will also feature updated mapping tools thanks to to Rolling Meadows joining a local Geographic Information System consortium last year. The group is made up of 31 different suburbs, said Mitch Greenan of MGP Inc., the service provider for the consortium.
Residents will be able to type in their address and find their alderman, voting precinct, garbage pickup day and other information for their location, Greenan said. Another map will also show parcel boundaries for each property and can be edited and saved by residents if they are considering adding a fence or building an addition.
“There are so many layers here, and it is presented visually so well,” Rooney said.
An interactive map can be built by the city to show residents where different events are taking place or the path of a community bike ride in town.
Staff will also have access to different layers of maps including streetlights and sewers so if a resident calls and says the light in front of his or her house is out, the staff member who answers the phone can click on that light to get more information and quickly work to get it fixed, Greenan said. The city will also be able to use the maps to send notifications to residents in a certain area.
“I know this is really helpful and is something that can be used by the public and the staff here as well,” Greenan said.
City Manager Barry Krumstok said the city will also spend about $5,000 to contract with Earth Channel to allow live streaming and video viewing of city council meetings from the new website.