Small Group Gathered to Explore City Website Options

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, December 25, 2008 - At the All Boards meeting held in October, it became apparent that the City needed to improve its web presence and City's website needed work. In an effort to brainstorm possible changes and get ideas on website improvements, the City held a special meeting on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 5:30 PM in the Women's Club of the Memorial Building.

A small group gathered to examine other websites to pick and choose ideas that would improve Ironwood's site. Conducting the meeting were City Manager Scott Erickson and Community Development Director Dan Petersen. Attending the meeting, and offering their input were Commissioner Gemma Lamb; web designer Colleen Sachs; web developer Peter Koruga; City Assessor/Building Inspector Dennis Hewitt; Ironwood Daily Globe reporter Ralph Ansami; and Superior Chronicle co-owners Steve Frank and yours truly.

At the beginning of the meeting, this reporter asked both Dan Petersen and Scott Erickson what it was -- other than their positions with the City --  that drew them to the Ironwood area. Petersen, a recent transplant from downstate Michigan, explained that he likes small towns and he loves the fishing, hunting, and outdoor activities are area provides.

Erickson, whose father was previously the City's engineer, explained that -- although he was raised in Park Falls, Wisconsin -- he had ties to the Ironwood area. He went on to say that the outdoor recreational options are one of the main reasons he chooses to live here.

Erickson told the gathering that the City would like their website to be more than just a place that explained City operations. He said the site should also act as a "marketing tool" for prospective businesses and industry that wished to locate here. The plan is to include an integrated site that would include Community Development; the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority; the Ironwood Economic Development Corporation; the Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation; the Planning Commission; Parks and Recreation; etc. with ties to the Chamber of Commerce; the Ironwood Carnegie Library; the Pat O'Donnell Civic Center; the Tourism Council; the Historical Society; the Gogebic/Iron County Airport; the schools; the Gogebic Community College, etc.

Ideally the site will be able to give the user a well-rounded understanding of what the area has to offer.

Community Development Director Petersen said he would like the site to be able to assist potential industries and businesses by giving an overview of available funding, initiatives and programs.

City Manager Scott Erickson asked the developers in the group to give him a "ball park" idea of what the website improvements would cost. The developers explained that the cost is very dependent on the extent of the content and the amount of involvement the City wants the developers to maintain in the project. Colleen Sachs suggested that the City contact other communities to see what they pay for their Internet presence. Erickson said that was a good idea, and he said he would make some calls.

The City basically has two options. They can pay a one-time, up-front fee for a developer to create a static website that rarely changes. Or they can sign a contract with a developer to design and maintain the site, allowing the developer to keep the site dynamic and up-t0-date. It was explained that and unmaintained or improperly maintained website is non-productive and of little use to the City.

Wednesday's meeting lasted about an hour, and many good ideas and suggestions were offered. City Manager Scott Erickson suggested that another meeting be scheduled so that more public input can be added. The group agreed. The Chronicle will post a notice as soon as a date and time are established for the next meeting.