HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 09 22 Regular 604 e-Alerts Method of Communication with ResidentsCOMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 604
September 22.2008
Regular Meeting
Informational
Consent
Public Hearing
Regular X
Mgr. / ept.
Authorization
REQUEST: Information Services requests the Commission consider e-
Alerts as a method of email communication with residents;
determine which lists are to be added to the system; and
determine how email addresses should be collected to be
added to the system.
PURPOSE: To inform the Commission of the existing email functionality called e-
Alerts.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Commission has expressed an interest in creating an email list by which
information can be easily disseminated. The City currently utilizes a
product called e-Alerts for sending out emergency alerts via email to those
who have signed up for the service. e-Alerts can be received as a text
message on a cell phone or as an email in a user's email inbox. Some cell
phone providers, depending upon the service plan, charge for text
messages that are sent to cell phones. Residents can sign up for e-Alerts
on the City's web site.
E-Alerts currently allows individuals to sign up for emergency alerts such
as:
Missing persons and children alerts
• Major traffic alerts
• Health risk alerts
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS
CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING -SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 604
PAGE 2 OF 2
• Criminal alert bulletins
• Sexual predators living in the city
• Gas leak alerts
• Boil water alerts
• Bomb threat alerts
• Hazardous waste spills
• Hurricane and tornado information
The existing e-Alerts system can be used to add more lists as needed. For
example, a list called e-newsletter could be added which could be used to
send out an email with a link to the latest electronic version of the
newsletter whenever one becomes available. Other lists could be added as
needed.
Although there is an opt-out option on e-Alerts, we do not advocate the
sending of unsolicited email. Therefore, we do not recommend that a list
of email addresses be compiled from City documents where the owner of
the email address did not initiate the action of adding themselves to the e-
Alerts email list. Therefore, we request that the Commission determine
what lists they would like to see added to e-Alerts, and that e-Alerts be
widely publicized in order to encourage individuals to sign themselves up
on the system.
It should be noted that although we do not intend to sell our email list once
compiled, any email addresses that are collected are considered public
record and must be released if requested.
FUNDING: Not applicable
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend:
Commission consider the use of e-Alerts as an additional way to
communicate with residents via email
Commission determine additional lists to be added to the system
Commission agree to allow residents to sign themselves up on the
system rather than the City adding them to e-Alerts
ATTACHMENTS: None
COMMISSION ACTION: