By BROOKE STEVENSON
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE — After five months of development, the city’s new Web site will launch next week.
The site, newly designed by Municipal Web Services of Birmingham, is scheduled to be running by April 13.
Through a recent agreement, the city will retain its current domain name, www.wyandotte.net, previously owned by the former Web provider, RSC Productions of Wyandotte.
Special Projects Coordinator Natalie Rankine said she has been working in conjunction with city employees and department heads to ensure that the information on the site is current and accurate.
“In addition to being easier to navigate, the Web site offers many new features,” Rankine said.
One is the ability for the city calendar to sync up with Microsoft Outlook, enabling city events to be downloaded onto residents’ personal calendars.
A quarterly e-newsletter also will be published through the site that will include e-mail reminders about city events to subscribers.
“The site will also feature an advanced search that will allow you to search our site by using key words and phrases,” Rankine said.
A “frequently asked questions” portion of the site will feature information about events and operations in and around the city.
All forms through city departments can be filled out electronically through the site.
“It will have an interactive help desk that explains how to navigate around the site and how to download forms for those who may be unfamiliar with Web site navigation,” she said.
Another new addition is a community events bulletin board.
“The bulletin board is a place for nonprofits to list events, reunions and benefits,” Rankine said. “It functions much in the same way that the electronic sign on Eureka and Biddle does.”
Items can be listed for a fee of $10.
The Wyandotte Museum site, www.wyandottemuseum.org, also has been redesigned and can be accessed through the city’s site.
While the site has many new features, Rankine said there is room for more.
“It won’t be a part of the initial site launch, but we are researching the possibility of online city payment,” she said.
Officials still are working some kinks out, Rankine said, but the site should be running by the morning of the launch date.