City Council Agenda Report
August 20, 2024
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Levy Sun, Director of Communications & Public Affairs SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE
ENGAGEMENT AND NOTIFICATION SERVICE
Background:
The City of Norwalk is committed to enhancing communication and engagement with its residents. In alignment with this goal, the City seeks to implement the Ascendant Short Message Service (SMS) Engagement Platform (Ascendant). This platform will serve as a critical tool for disseminating important information, facilitating two-way communication, and improving overall civic engagement.
In 2023, the City piloted the use of Ascendant to promote events at a local level. In one of the Movie Nights at the Park events, Ascendant notified neighborhoods around the event site. This resulted in a 22% increase in attendance compared to the previous year.
The implementation of Ascendant offers the community the following benefits:
1.Enhanced Communication: The platform will enable the City to send timely updates and alerts directly to residents' mobile devices, ensuring critical information is received promptly.
2.Increased Civic Engagement: By facilitating two-way communication, residents can provide feedback and engage in meaningful dialogue with the City, fostering a more involved and informed community.
3.Emergency Notifications: The ability to quickly disseminate emergency notifications will enhance public safety and preparedness. This feature will supplement the City’s RAVE emergency notification system, if needed.
4.Cost-Effective Solution: The comprehensive service package offered by Ascendant provides a cost-effective solution for modernizing the city's communication infrastructure.
City Council August 20, 2024
SMS Engagement & Notification Service Page No. 2
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3 Fiscal Impact:
Funding is provided by the American Rescue Plan Act. Consultant shall provide the services described in an amount not to exceed $27,600 the first year (September 1, 2024 to September 1, 2025); and not to exceed $23,600 for the second year (September 2, 2025 to September 2, 2026) for a total of $51,200.00 for two years.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 1: Provide high quality customer service to the community and Goal 2: Work in partnership with our community to achieve safe and livable neighborhoods.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council approve an agreement with Ascendant App, Inc. to provide engagement and notification services, in an amount not to exceed $51,200.00 for two years; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, and any amendments provided there is funding in the budget and it is within the City Manager’s signing authority, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Attachments:
1. Ascendant Agreement
2. Campaign Contribution Form