City of Rochester
News Release
MAYOR DUFFY UNVEILS DYNAMIC NEW CITY WEB SITE
Features include customer-oriented organization, serendipity navigation,
enhanced search and one-stop shopping for services
(April 20, 2009) - Mayor Robert J. Duffy, along with City Web site revitalization project managers Ted Capuano and Lisa Bobo, today unveiled a new, improved and more dynamic City of Rochester Web site today at City Hall. The new site, www.cityofrochester.gov, offers a clean, simplified graphic design which encourages search and further navigation. It features rotating carousels of dominant images designed to promote the beauty and vitality of the city.
"We have made it easier for citizens to access City services and information by re-designing the Web site around the customers we serve,” Mayor Duffy said. “We have laid a very strong foundation for even greater access and features. I would like to thank the large number of City staff who took ownership of this project.”
Management of the Web site’s content has been transferred from the City Information Technology Dept. to the Communications Bureau. Webmaster Richard Goldstein, who created the City’s original Web site, will continue to maintain the site’s technical infrastructure, while content governance and accountability have been placed upon each City department. Each has a Web coordinator who was instrumental in converting the existing site’s content into the new web site’s architecture. Coordinators now have the ability and authorization to update their department’s content and will meet regularly with Patrick Flanigan, who will serve as the site’s New Media Editor in Communications. The content governance system will help keep the site dynamic with the latest information and news.
Departmental “silos” have been eliminated on the site and information is grouped by audience-focused portals, as well as by topics, tasks and other categories. The new site includes a powerful search engine that allows users to refine results using a number of cross references. The site’s organization relies less on a traditional hierarchical structure and more on categorization of information. For example, permits that are issued by different departments are presented on one page. Web pages include a “See Also” list to present additional related categories and a “May We Suggest” section to offer recommendations of similar articles.
Additionally, City services are now streamlined onto one page, creating one-stop shopping for customers’ needs. Transactions that can be completed online are marked with a lightning bolt icon on the services page.
The improved cityofrochester.gov is a natural progression of the “One City” unity the Mayor has created throughout his first term in office. Prior to the redesign, there were at least 30 different City-affiliated Web sites. It’s especially significant, too, as the city celebrates its past, present and future this year during its 175th Anniversary. A tribute to the city’s rich history is available on the new site in the form of a dynamic interactive timeline.
“The new Web site presents information by using customer friendly categorization,” said Enterprise Systems Manager Lisa Bobo. “Customers no longer need to understand the governmental bureaucracy to find information on a particular permit or license. The Information Technology Department has provided the necessary tools to enable employees to maintain information and keep it current and accurate.”
The goal of the site is to align customer needs with the City’s priorities of public safety, education, economic development and customer service.
“This project was brought together by a cross-section of City employees,” said Ted Capuano, assistant to the director of communications. “We brought a very wide range of City information and services together and hopefully created a site that is inviting and encourages users to stay on and further explore all that the City has to offer.”
The Web site’s transformation is just the beginning, the Mayor said. The hope is to provide access to even more City services online and increase enhanced features such as geo mapping. Mayor Duffy also sees the site as a formidable marketing tool for Rochester. “This will provide us with a powerful tool to attract residents, businesses and visitors,” the Mayor said.
The site’s content management software was purchased jointly by the City and the Monroe County Library. The City hired local Web development firm, VanDamme Associates, to build the site.
Additional community feedback on the site will be sought in the coming weeks and users with questions or concerns are encouraged to call 311.
Web Site Revitalization Project Team:
Alicia Klotzbach, Andy Roberts, Annette Brown, Bonnie DeCarlo, Bridgette Burch White, Carla Johnson, Carol Schmitt, Charles Lamphron, Charles Vitale, Chris Fitzgerald, Christine Ridarsky, Dan Karin, Dave Mohney, Dave Quartley, Deidre Stevely, Edith McKlveen, Gloria Aponte, Gloria Matos, Greta Mosley, Hazeldene Hercules, Ira Srole, Jeff Eichner, Jim Barclay, Joan Hildebrand, Joseph Biondolillo, Joe Mustico, John Hawk, Jose Cruz, Jose Montes, Josephus Tisdale, JudieLynn McAvinney, Kabutey Ocansey, Kara Noto, Kathy McManus, Laine Williams, Laura Ferguson, Lisa Bobo, Mai Ho, Mark Simolo, Mary Kay Kendrick, Maureen Cioppa, Mike King, Nancy Alberto, Pat Piano, Patrick Flanigan, Patty Uttaro, Richard Goldstein, Sharon Nau, Steve McClary, Steve Mickle, Sylvia Maxwell, Ted Capuano, Thad Schofield, Vicky Wehbring and Vikki Cheal.
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News Media: For more information, contact Ted Capuano at (585) 428-6427.