Palmetto Bay to soon have new website, mobile app and public park

The Palmetto Bay council on Monday passed a resolution approving a new mobile app and website for the village. At a previous meeting, the council approved a site plan that would give its residents a new park.

MOBILE APP AND WEBSITE

Palmetto Bay council members sealed the deal on hiring a new company that will redesign the village’s current website and design its first mobile app.

The move has been in the making for months amid its outdated website design and features. The village unanimously approved a $47,076 four-year contract with CivicPlus, which has has partnered with more than 2,000 local governments across Canada and the United States.

“We are looking for easier navigation,” spokesman Bill Kress said. “Clearly we have an opportunity to make it easier for the residents to find what they are looking for. Right now we are using these archaic menus; they are a little disappointing. We want quick and easy; an updated look. It’s been about five, six, seven years since we’ve revamped. We also need a robust calendar function that lets people see what’s happening.”

The new site is expected to launch in six to eight months. The mobile app will be “practical, allowing residents to get answers for themselves,” Kress said.

Although the app’s features haven’t been finalized yet, the village is aiming to alert residents in real-time during emergencies, offer an interactive calendar and high-quality video streaming and will consider linking to agenda information.

“We will also be assessing what our top most requested needs are,” Kress said, adding that the village’s parks have the highest traffic on the current website.

NEW PARK

During the village’s Dec. 14 zoning meeting, the council approved a site plan for a local auto dealership, South Motors.

The site plan will not only modernize the aesthetics of its existing building at 16165 S. Dixie Hwy., but per the agreement will also add a new park to Palmetto Bay, known as the “Village of Parks.” The location of the park would be on the southeast corner of the existing dealership, which is currently a patch of land.

The site plan brings additional park land and a contribution of $95,000 to go toward construction. As an added benefit, South Motors will also contribute $5,000 annually for the next 10 years for maintenance and upkeep expenses, city staff says.

“The new park will more than likely be a future veterans park in Palmetto Bay,” Kress said. “Earlier in December, the council directed staff to look into the possibility of securing a war monument to display at a village park in recognition of our veterans and present servicemen and women, and the new park grounds could be the new home for the war monument.”

The redesigned property would undergo a total make-over; new showrooms will be featured, along with upgrades to the service center. According to Kress, the new plan provides for a shorter phasing plan to ensure an early delivery of the planned veterans park.

South Motors is the biggest employer in Palmetto Bay, Kress said.

NEXT MEETING

▪ When: 7 p.m. Feb. 1.

▪ Where: 9705 E. Hibiscus St.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 11:03 AM with the headline "Palmetto Bay to soon have new website, mobile app and public park."