Council approves three-year Yapify contract for resident notifications

The chair announced the council had reviewed two proposals to improve citywide communications and recommended contracting with Yapify, a vendor that integrates with Polaris billing and can deliver alerts by text, phone call and email. "I don't feel like we should pull from cemetery or from Rose or from anywhere else to pay for it," the chair said, arguing the city should find a short-term funding source rather than cut other programs. The council discussed coverage for residents without smartphones and whether the service should require an app or rely on existing billing records.

Council members debated funding options and training needs for staff who would operate the system. A council member said the app-based option could miss residents who lack cellphones and asked staff to secure landline-call support and locked account updates. After discussion the council moved to award the contract to Yapify, stipulating the first year be paid from the utility fund and that staff return with options for a possible service fee on utility bills or a different long-term funding plan. The motion passed and the chair said staff will contact the vendor to begin implementation and training.