Washington Terrace staff describe 'City Alert' rollout for resident notifications

Public Works Director Jake Meibos and City Treasurer Heidi Gerritsen briefed council during the work session on the city’s new notification platform, rebranded from "Yoppify" to "City Alert." Meibos said the service has been used for five separate alerts over the past five months to notify residents about closures and disruptions and that the system allows two-way conversations by text or email.

Gerritsen provided reachability metrics and implementation details, saying that "84 percent of residents can be reached by text, 81 percent by phone, 91 percent by email and 98 percent by phone" and noting staff can see delivery status and follow up with door-hangar notifications if messages fail. Meibos told council "the program is an opt-out program, residents do not need to sign up." The application supports account-specific notices for property owners while tenants may sign up to receive text and email alerts.

Council and staff discussed including council on certain texts and how landlords have reacted positively because they can inform tenants in real time. Finance Director Shari’ Garrett said the service costs about $7,000 annually; Garrett characterized efficiency and emergency-response improvements as expected offsets to the expense over time.