Item 4DCity of Southlake, Texas
M E M O R A N D U M
August 11, 2010
TO:Shana Yelverton, City Manager
FROM:Pilar Schank, Community Relations Officer
Proposed agreement between the City of Southlake and Carroll Independent
SUBJECT:
School District for www.MySouthlakeNews.com.
Action Requested:Approve agreement between the City of Southlake and Carroll
Independent School District for www.MySouthlakeNews.com, a joint-use
digital newsletter website.
Background
Information:
www.MySouthlakeNews.com is joint venture between the City of Southlake
(City) and Carroll Independent School District (CISD). Plans commenced in
spring of 2010 to engage City vendor Ariamedia to create and launch a website
that would provide the Southlake community with pertinent news and
information.CISD and City staffs, as outlined in the CMO Standard Operating
Procedure document and CISD addendum document commit to work together
to provide the latest information from each entity and collaborate on events
and projects which are of joint concern or interest to taxpayers.
Recognizing the desire of residents and businesses for more timely
communication on city and school district issues, and the array of changing
technologiesfor delivery, a platform for Southlake specific news and
information was conceived for use. MySouthlakeNews.com is designed to
evolve with technology and the user’s needs into a multi-media platform,
which will not only inform, but receive feedback on critical issues affecting
Southlake and the surroundingcities.
Financial
Considerations:
My Southlake News is an approved FY 2010 budget item. The $36,000start-
up costswere incurredin FY 2010 with 50% of the monies paid by CISD. As
the representing entity for this venture, the City frontedthe initial costs of the
website withreimbursement provided by CISD. The start-up costs are coming
from the strategic initiative fund (SIF). All CISD reimbursements will go back
into the SIF. There is also a $3600 yearly maintenance and support fee which
will also be split with CISD. Again, the City will front the fee initially with
CISD reimbursingat a later date. The maintenance fee is paid from and
reimbursed to the City Manager’s support servicesbudget line item.
MySouthlakeNews.comis intended to place in a digital format the City’s news
and information. In previous budget years more than $15,000 dollars in
printing and postage costs were incurred in relation to the City’s newsletter.
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
August 11, 2010
Page 2
MySouthlakeNews.com is intended to enhance the City’s communication
efforts and replace the City’s quarterly newsletter.
Citizen Input/
Board Review:
The CISD board is considering approval of a similar agreement at theirAugust
16, 2010 regularly scheduled boardmeeting.TheJoint Use Committeeis
reviewing this agreement at theirregularly scheduled meeting, August 12,
2010 meeting.
Legal Review:
This agreement mirrors previous joint-use agreements with CISD, which have
been reviewed by the City’s Attorney.
Alternatives:
Not approve the agreement between the City and CISD for
MySouthlakeNews.com and continue with annual print costs for City
Newsletter.
Supporting
Documents:
The agreement with Ariamedia for the creation and launch is attached. The
City’s Standard operating procedurefor website operation is also attached.
Staff
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approving the agreement between the City and CISD for the
operation of MySouthlakeNews.com