Council debates resident notification systems; staff to return with implementation plan

Council members debated several vendor options for a resident notification system and agreed to develop a policy framework before choosing a vendor.

Andy and other members said a failed emergency notification during a recent water incident prompted the review of systems that can reach more residents quickly. Council compared TextMyGov’s longer message allowances and a reduced three‑year price offer to GovPilot/GoGov, which councilors noted integrates with existing city systems and carries lower immediate cost and operational risk.

Councilors raised practical questions about message caps, geography (zip‑code vs. finer mapping), who will manage the system, the timeline to get it running and whether a multi‑year commitment is intended. Several members emphasized the program should fill gaps for residents who currently do not receive emergency notices, not just add another channel for those already connected.

No contract was signed; council asked staff to draft a policy outlining management responsibilities, thresholds for sending messages, implementation hours and an estimated timeline so Council can revisit the choice at a later meeting.