Submitted by: Cindy Zork
Submitting Department: Communications
Agenda Section: Consent
Item Title:
title
Selection of CitizenLab as the City’s Online Engagement Platform
end
Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move the Mayor and Council authorize the City Administrator to enter into a contract with CitizenLab at a cost not to exceed $10,000 for a one-year contract for the purposes of implementing a new online engagement platform, upon the review and approval of the City Attorney for legal sufficiency. This contract is to be funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and will support outreach efforts for ARPA programming.
end
Summary Background:
From 2017-2019 the City utilized an online engagement platform, Speak Up, HVL. It was a successful platform for the City; however, it was discontinued due to issues with spam on the site. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated closures of in-person activities highlighted the need for a variety of ways for residents to connect with the City of Hyattsville government. As we move towards a more hybrid model of community engagement, the City Communications Team has identified a renewed need for a comprehensive digital engagement platform.
This tool is intended to supplement traditional ways of information gathering in order to reach an audience beyond those who are be able to attend in-person meetings. An ideal platform will provide a variety of input methods so community members can learn from and communicate with each other. Timelines and the ability to archive notes, images, videos, and data would give a historical reference for projects that may take several years from inception to completion.
The Communications Team, along with the American Rescue Plan Program Manager and members of the Community and Economic Development Team interviewed three providers to select a platform. The platforms evaluated were Social Pinpoint, Bang the Table, and CitizenLab. When reviewing the options, the group prioritized tools that:
- offer a simple and intuitive sign-up process;
- are protected from spam, profanity, and misuse;
- allow a variety of input methods, like Q&A’s, dot voting, participatory budgeting, community mapping, etc.;
- have a simple and intuitive user interface that could be utilized by staff from multiple departments;
- and provide a clean and engaging front-facing platform, clearly identifiable as a City of Hyattsville web site.
Initially this tool would be used to help set funding priorities for the second round of the American Rescue Plan Act Funds. It could also be a component of outreach for the updated Sustainability Plan, and any future City action plans and projects where community input is requested. Of the providers evaluated, it was determined that CitizenLab offered the best tool for the price and met all the criteria established for both community and staff use. CitizenLab is a robust online platform with a simple and clean customer-facing platform, and an intuitive back-end for staff. The platform offers customized integrations with other products and a dedicated customer service support team. The annual cost is $7,500 with a start up fee of $2,400. CitizenLab was competitively priced with the other providers evaluated.
Based on federal guidance, this program should be eligible for funding under the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Next Steps:
Following Council approval, staff will proceed with contract negotiations and legal approval. Following approval of the contract, the City’s Communications staff will work with CitizenLab to set up a project page for the American Rescue Plan Act funding priorities. A communications plan to advertise this feedback method will be created.
Fiscal Impact:
NTE $10,000 ($7,500 annual fee / $2,400 start-up fee) reimbursable through the American Rescue Plan Act.
City Administrator Comments:
Recommend Approval
Community Engagement:
City Communications staff and the American Rescue Plan Program Manager will work with CitizenLab to develop a project page for the second round of ARPA funding priorities. A comprehensive communications plan for advertising this feedback method will be created. The Communications Team will also identify other upcoming City projects that would benefit from this type of community engagement.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 1 - Ensure Transparent and Accessible Governance
Legal Review Required?
Pending