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2006 City Innovations Showcase
Technology and Telecommunications
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Economic Development Web Page –
City of Casselberry
New businesses within the City of Casselberry often find they are competing with larger, more established entities for a market share. The economic development Web page (www.casselberry.org) was designed to disseminate information about new businesses. The page lists businesses and housing developments, includes a photograph, logo, site plan or elevation, a description and a map. Entries may remain on the page up to two months, and longer if the business is under construction or is a project that will be completed in stages. Success stories include one townhouse development that sold out before a single model was built.
Contact: Susan Vernon Devlin
Community Relations Coordinator
City of Casselberry
95 Triplet Lake Drive
Casselberry, FL 32707
(407) 262-7700, ext. 1128
E-mail: sdevlin@casselberry.org
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Pay By Cellphone Parking Program –
City of Coral Gables
Coral Gables has introduced a convenient pay-by-cellphone parking program. Users first must pre-register to use the service. When it’s time to park, users simply call the posted telephone number on the meter from a cellphone to start the parking session, and call again to log out. The program calculates the appropriate parking charges, plus a service fee charged to a credit card. Users will also receive a text message when the meter is about to run out of time, with the option to add more time through a cellphone.
Contact: William Carlson
Parking Director
Parking Department
City of Coral Gables
2801 Salzedo Street, Suite 200
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: (305) 460-5540
E-mail: bcarlson@coralgables.com
Electronic Payments Program –
City of DeLand
The City of DeLand is currently implementing a new Internet payment system that will eliminate service charges and allow customers to receive their bills electronically in place of paper bills. Citizens can also pay their bills, view account information and submit service requests online. Electronic payment and billing options are extremely important to the city and help to reduce printing, postage, processing and administrative costs in addition to increasing the level of service to city customers. Currently, DeLand is receiving approximately 55 percent of all payments electronically, but expects that to increase to 75 percent when the new options are introduced.
Contact: Kevin Lewis
Finance Director
Finance Department
City of DeLand
120 S. Florida Avenue
DeLand, FL 32720
Phone: (386) 740-5713
E-mail: lewisk@deland.org
www.kissimmee.org –
City of Kissimmee
The City of Kissimmee redesigned its Web site to be more user friendly and to implement an integrated marketing communications strategy featuring its slogan. The slogan, “Work. Play. Vacation. Home… Community,” is now featured on the site. The public information office teamed up with the Information Technology Department to reinvent the site, which allows key staff in each department to use a Web-based solution to make instant updates of their own pages. The site also features Spanish translation, access to the city’s government TV channel, registration to the city’s “k-mail” service and online forms.
Contact: Wayne Larson
Public Information Officer
City of Kissimmee
101 N. Church Street
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: (407) 518-2314
E-mail: wlarson@kissimmee.org
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Contractor Notification System –
City of Longboat Key
Contractors are now immediately notified of issued permits and building inspection results via fax, e-mail or cell phone text message. Inspection results and permits issued are also posted to the town’s Web site, www.longboatkey.org. Contractors can review all inspections and permits by using several methods including permit number, street address or contractor name. A new electronic bulletin board is available on the Web site, where important notices are posted for contractors. Contractors may now also call in by telephone and pay for all services of the Building Department using a credit card.
Contact: Kathi Pletzke
MIS Director
Town of Longboat Key
501 Bay Isles Road
Longboat Key, FL 34228
Phone: (941) 316-1999
E-mail: kathip@longboatkey.org
Community Redevelopment Agency on the Web –
City of Margate
The Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) unveiled its new and improved Web site, www.margatecra.org. The CRA created the Web site to improve communications with the community and to enhance the city’s ability to respond to routine questions or inquiries. Important information, including meeting agendas and events notices, information on the charrette plan and redevelopment plan, storefront assistance program (property improvement program) and contact information has been posted on the site. It is also updated regularly.
Contact: Kery Venezia
Public Information Officer
City of Margate
5790 Margate Boulevard
Margate, FL 33063
Phone: (954) 935-5330
E-mail: pio@margatefl.com
Customer Service Enhanced by Software –
City of Ormond Beach
City staff needed to eliminate duplicate data sets being maintained in several departments, and provide public access to the data. The city purchased software that synchronizes the enterprise solution land-management data with the geographical information system (GIS) data. This provides a live display of utilities, recreation, land use/zoning, occupational licenses and other city services in a user-friendly mapping environment. All data is accessed and maintained in a central location. City staff now has access to a powerful set of tools for visualization and analysis of business and operation activities.
Contact: Steve Johnson
Principal GIS Technician
Engineering Division of Public Works Department
City of Ormond Beach
P.O. Box 277
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Phone: (386) 676-3269
E-mail: johnson@ormondbeach.org
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Fleet Maintenance Software Upgrade –
City of Ormond Beach
The City of Ormond Beach’s Fleet Operations Division upgraded its 15-year-old fleet maintenance software system. This software includes a comprehensive database fulfilling all aspects of fleet management requirements. The focus is on vehicle and equipment maintenance cost analysis. Other benefits include inventory control, equipment ownership, warranty tracking, preventive maintenance scheduling, detailed tracking of technician productivity, parts inventory and depreciation schedules. Monthly billing is easily provided to include mileage, fuel and maintenance costs. This system is now interfaced with an automated fueling system and fuel tank monitor, completing the circle of data collection for cost-effective fleet management for years to come.
Contact: Tom Mulligan
Fleet Operations Manager
Public Works and Fleet Operations
City of Ormond Beach
22 South Beach Street
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Phone: (386) 676-3506
E-mail: mulliganl@ormondbeach.org
Fiber-Optic Ring –
City of Palmetto
In 2005, the City of Palmetto installed a three-mile subterranean fiber-optic ring that supports all city departments at four different locations. The ring provides redundancy for digital communications between the departments. If one link of the ring is severed, the data will automatically flow in the other direction. Broadband Internet, e-mail, PBX (phones), video conferencing and wireless communications are some of the services the city will provide through the fiber-optic ring. The city’s ultimate goal is to connect the city, Manatee County and the school board, assuring more comprehensive and efficient communication between these local governments.
Contact: Donald L. Burkhardt
IT Director
Information Technology
City of Palmetto
P.O. Box 1209
Palmetto, FL 34220-1209
Phone: (941) 723-4570
E-mail: dburkhardt@palmettofl.org
Fiber EOC –
City of Palm Bay
The City of Palm Bay’s Information and Innovation Department operates its own network to city buildings through underground fiber. This project will allow the city to become independent of carrier services for data and telephone traffic. It will provide greater bandwidth without the recurring cost that is currently paid to external vendors. The project will begin by connecting the emergency operations center to City Hall. Since both end points can be powered by generators during a crisis situation, the city would not have to be concerned with losing connectivity for vital applications between these two sites. Ultimately all city occupied buildings will be connected.
Contact: Mike Maier
Director of Information and Innovation
City of Palm Bay
120 Malabar Road, S.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 952-3475
Internet Streaming Audio –
City of Palm Bay
The Internet Streaming Audio service allows citizens to listen to live broadcasts of council meetings through the Internet. The project includes the deployment of an in-house Web server to host the application. Citizens or external users will click on a link from the city’s Web site to listen to live council meetings. This application only requires that the user have a specific video program installed on his or her computer. The application was tested on the city’s Intranet prior to its launch.
Contact: Mike Maier
Director of Information and Innovation
City of Palm Bay
120 Malabar Road, S.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 952-3475
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Symposium –
City of Palm Bay
The City of Palm Bay’s Information and Innovation Department has replaced an antiquated phone system with advanced call center orientated software. The software integrates with a new telephone system to assign calls properly based on the needs of the caller. The caller is presented with an automated list of options that helps identify the proper person to answer their concerns. This prevents a call from being transferred from person to person. The call is routed to a person who is able to provide assistance. To help manage the call centers, supervisors will be provided with software that will help monitor call volume and flows in real time.
Contact: Mike Maier
Director of Information and Innovation
City of Palm Bay
120 Malabar Road, S.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 952-3475
Virtual Office –
City of Palm Bay
The city’s virtual office allows Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone system users to transfer their office telephone’s features to a remote telephone when away from the office. This feature has been extremely useful during the activation of the city’s emergency operations center (EOC). Staff was able to log in to a telephone at the EOC and have the same functionality as they would in their office. This includes the same telephone number, key configuration, voice mail and any other function the primary telephone may have.
Contact: Mike Maier
Director of Information and Innovation
City of Palm Bay
120 Malabar Road, S.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 952-3475
Building Permit Tracking Online –
City of Palm Beach Gardens
A new permitting system revolutionizes city business processes. Prior to the system’s implementation in April 2005, permits were tracked manually and all paperwork was processed in plastic bins. Requests for permit status required personnel to search through endless stacks of paper. In addition, there were no formal procedures for accepting payment. Now, permit processing is conducted in the computer, and payment is integrated through a centralized cashiering system. Details about the permit status, fees and processing are listed on the city’s Web site, www.pbgfl.org.
Contact: Jennifer Mikulski
Resource Manager
Building Division
City of Palm Beach Gardens
10500 N. Military Trail
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: (561) 804-7011
E-mail: jmikulski@pbgfl.com
Local Businesses on City Web Site –
City of Palm Beach Gardens
The City of Palm Beach Gardens Web site offers citizens a searchable listing of all businesses that currently hold a valid city occupational license. The Web site is linked to the city’s internal system, allowing for real-time updates. Users can search by business name, or they can choose an industry and category, allowing a more focused search. The results list contains the business name, phone number and a link to the city’s internal geographic information systems mapping software, which shows the location of the chosen business. Business owners also have the option of adding a link to their own Web site.
Contact: Matthew Doherty
Web Developer
City of Palm Beach Gardens
10500 N. Military Trail
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: (561) 799-4145
E-mail: mdoherty@pbgfl.com
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User-Friendly Web Site –
City of Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Gardens recently completely redesigned its Web site (www.pbgfi.org). The new site contains five main sections featuring photos taken throughout the city. It presents information in an organized and logical way, allowing the user to find the information they’re looking for quickly and easily. New features include a search option that not only searches the content of the Web pages themselves, but also more than 500 files that make up the site. Citizens may also apply, pay for and check the status of building permits, and search more than 2,000 local businesses.
Contact: Matthew Doherty
Web Developer
City of Palm Beach Gardens
10500 N. Military Trail
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: (561) 799-4145
E-mail: mdoherty@pbgfl.com
Bio-Park Pass System –
Village of Wellington
In 2005, an innovative system for efficiency and security of Village Park Gym participant check-in was introduced. Participants register for passes using their handprints and access code, and the system allows or denies entry-based on pass status. Bracelets show the participant’s photo and the activity registered. Gym monitors have participant information, which provides increased security and protection to participants. It takes a registered user an average of eight seconds to have his or her hand scanned for check in, and have a bracelet printed. The successful program will soon be expanded to include the aquatic center and summer camp access.
Contact: Jill Mausteller
Assistant to the Village Manager
Administration Department
Village of Wellington
14000 Greenbriar Boulevard
Wellington, FL 33414
Phone: (561) 791-4125
E-mail: jmausteller@ci.wellington.fl.us
Web-Based Job Applicant Tracking System –
Village of Wellington
In 2005, the Village of Wellington created a customized Web-based job applicant tracking system. The system manages all information from start to finish. It links the Village’s Web site (www.ci.wellington.fl.us) with the applicant database allowing candidates to access and update information directly to the Web site. Candidates can complete an online application, take assessment tests, upload resumes, keep profiles updated and search and browse employment opportunities. About 75 percent of applications are through the Web-based program.
Contact: Jill Mausteller
Assistant to the Village Manager
Village of Wellington
14000 Greenbriar Boulevard
Wellington, FL 33414
Phone: (561) 791-4125
E-mail: jmausteller@ci.wellington.fl.us
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