Carmen Nichols, assistant to the city manager, spoke about the city's proposed website upgrade that would provide updates on city news and issues to residents who register for the service.
The cost for the new system is $12,560 for the startup and first year of operation, with $2,760 a year beyond that for maintenance and support. The council unanimously approved it.
"The current website is from 2004, and it has limited capabilities," Nichols said. "It is limited to one-way communications and limited in text and formatting."
She demonstrated the various features of CivicPlus, which offers website services to more than 900 communities in the United States. The "Notify Me" service lets residents choose from among various things on which they want updates, such as street cleaning schedules and the Hueneme Beach Festival. Messages can be sent automatically via text message or email.
The "Newsflash" will replace the E-News the city uses, offering general updates community happenings. There also will be a calendar that will let users download events onto personal electronic devices. A request tool will let residents report a problem online, such as a pothole, and track the status of that problem.
"This has covered some of the components people are asking for," Schnopp said. "This will allow them to communicate with us on their phones or at home and keep people abreast of what's happening in the city."
Ventura County Starvcstar.com