Update on
New City Website Planning & Process
Presented by:
Communications Division
September 2, 2025
SUMMARY
With the City’s agreement in place with Civic Plus for web services staff have moved forward in preparing and scheduling the implementation of a community outreach plan.
The plan has been designed to receive feedback from the public on the design, function and features of the new City website.
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
Staff have kicked off project and are in fact finding and brand sharing phase with CivicPlus.
Work on the New City Website Underway
The Project Will...
Modernize the City’s main digital presence.
Enhance access to services.
Foster greater civic engagement with completely new website.
FEDERAL COMPLIANCE
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA is the technical standard for state and local governments’ web content and mobile apps.
The City must achieve full compliance by April 24, 2026, and remain compliant.
DOJ Civil Rights Division Requirements
KEY MESSAGING
Where we’ve been and what this project will deliver to our residents.
The Why
CivicPlus Team
We want to inform the community that the process of a new City website is underway and that we are seeking their feedback. Through City channels, we’ll explain the process.
What It Will Provide
Benefits
Why CivicPlus was chosen, their experience and their other clients.
Share details on the coming modern, accessible, mobile friendly new site.
Improve service delivery, make info easier to access, reduce costs.
CITY COUNCIL
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES & GOALS
Project Ties Directly to “Governance”
Per Council’s Strategic Priorities & Goals: Foster an organization that has the tools, skills and passion to provide a government that is responsive, principled, and aligned with the community’s needs and values.
OBJECTIVES TIED TO PROJECT
Improve internal processes.
Growth and Infrastructure
Quality
of Life
Governance
Community Calendar and Newcomer Program.
New website, customer service module and more.
PROJECT GOALS
Replacement of City Website
Technology Upgrade
User Experience
Content Management
Workflow Automation
Information Architecture
Program Compatibility
Constituent Relationship Management
Visual Identity
Accessibility and Compliance
Multilingual Access
Data Security
Content Migration
Public Records Act Request Management
Social Media Management
PROJECT COMPONENTS
New Website
SeeClickFix (VisaliaWorks)
Solution that empowers residents to report issues, identify repair needs, and ask questions.
Social Media Archiving AKA Archive Social
Social media archiving solution.
NextRequest
All-in-one public records request portal.
AudioEye
Digital accessibility tool, focuses on web accessability compliance
Digital survey in English and Spanish, hard copy surveys available.
Listening Sessions
Two community outreach meetings for in-person feedback and questions.
Comments can be submitted via email and social media.
Survey
Comment Period
OUTREACH ELEMENTS
9/2/25
Council Presentation
Listening
Session #1
Survey
Launches
Listening
Session #2
COMMUNITY OUTREACH TIMELINE
9/3/25
9/4/25
9/10/25
9/17/25
Survey
Closes
Comments will be accepted throughout the Outreach timeline.
RESULTS
All survey results and comments will be compiled by City staff and shared with the Website Redesign Project Team and CivicPlus.
Compiled and shared with the Project Team
Organized by overall goals
All survey results and comments will be organized and linked to one or more of the overall goals of the project.
Valuable Input for Project process
The feedback will be valuable insight as components, specific features and overall design decisions are made.
QUESTIONS
Find the survey, listening session info and more details online at www.visalia.gov/NewWebsite.