ANALYSIS:
Please consider the implementation of a one-year trial of “eComment,” an online resident engagement tool that allows residents the opportunity to provide comments directly to the City Commission through the online meeting agenda.
General Information:
eComment will be integrated with NovusAGENDA, allowing residents to comment on upcoming agenda items. Residents can review agenda item details, indicate their position on topics (oppose/neutral/support) and leave written feedback from the convenience of their own home. The Support/Reject buttons allows residents to succinctly express their positions on agenda items, and allows in-depth graphical reports to be viewed by the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Administration prior to a meeting, helping them better understand and consider the view of the residents.
The eComment period is open from the time the agenda publishes until a time set by the Commission. Residents will be prompted to set up a user profile to allow them to comment and the comment will become part of the official public record.
Resident engagement is very important to Miami Beach, and this program will complement the existing MB Residents Connect and the Residents Right to Know applications, by allowing residents the opportunity to express easily their support/opposition and comment on items on the agenda.
eComment Improves Meeting Participation:
Due to work, school, and family commitments, residents are not always able to attend City Commission meetings. The eComment solution provides residents an opportunity to participate when they cannot be at a City Commission meeting in person. Using eComment allows any person, anywhere to leave a comment on an agenda item via the Internet. While facilitating an open discussion, the City can keep feedback from becoming too unwieldy by controlling which agenda items receive comments, establishing timelines, and word count limits for comments.
eComment Saves Staff Time:
eComment is also a valuable tool for staff. Significant staff time savings can be realized by encouraging residents to post their comments using eComment as opposed to sending emails or leaving telephone messages with City staff.
Cost:
The cost for this feature is $9,600 annually. (See attached annual subscription estimate.) The Office of the City Clerk has money available this fiscal year from unused funds related to the purchase of office cubicles. If allowed to rollover these unused funds, the proposed project can be funded as a pilot program for one year.