City, utilities prepare to open Web site

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Several city organizations are working together to unveil a new Web site dedicated to providing information about New Ulm.

The site, Newulm.com, was slated to open this week, but that has been delayed. Brian Tohal, coordinator for New Ulm Economic Development Corporation (NUEDC), expects the site to be up and running sometime this month. The delays are due to design changes.

The Web site will connect the city offices, the Chamber of Commerce, New Ulm Public Utilities, the Visitors & Convention Bureau and the New Ulm Economic Development Corporation.

"This is kind of an official Web page," Tohal said. "If you want information on the city or public utilities, you'd have a place to go. It's an easy access for someone to get the information quickly and reliably."

The Chamber of Commerce purchased the domain name last year, and the page has been under construction since fall. NU-Telecom is designing the Web site for no cost, Tohal said.

"This is a fairly large site," Tohal said, noting that the NUEDC page will feature a searchable data base, allowing Web users to look at available land in town. A community profile also will be featured on the NUEDC page.

Tohal hopes that companies across the state or nation will use the site to take a look at New Ulm, then possibly move their operations to town.

"It's just another marketing tool," Tohal said. "It's meant as a way to market the community."

Although Tohal is a novice at creating Web sites, his goal is to have regular updates on the NUEDC page.

"The intent is we will do the updates ourselves," he said.

Lisa Fischer, customer service coordinator at New Ulm Public Utilities, also is involved in designing the page. She said the site will include information on the Public Utilities Commission, current rates and reading material about conserving energy.

"Our hope is to have a very informational page for our customers," Fischer said.

While the Web page will have general information on where customers can pay their utility bills, the site does not allow people to pay bills online or check their account information.

"We're not at that point," Fischer said. "Right now, it's pretty informational."

Fischer believes people will find that the site is a good way to stay abreast of utility happenings.

"The best part is the accessibility to anyone who comes into the site," she said. "It's a one-site stop."

Fischer is anxious to get the page up and running this month.

"It takes a lot of time when you are pulling all this information together and getting the designs you want," she said. "We're trying to dig in and get it finished."

Lisa Pelzel, clerical assistant with the city, said she recently learned about alterations that are required for the Web site because it is an official city site.

To comply with the American Disability Act, any picture or video on the site must be accompanied by a caption.

"It's a little bit more for us to do," Pelzel said.

Pelzel is compiling numerous facts and figures from several city departments. Among the items slated for the city pages are copies of City Council meeting agendas and minutes, the city code and charter and budget summaries.

A wide variety of other city functions, from dog licenses to paying parking tickets will eventually be on the site, Pelzel said.

Information about city personnel, including phone numbers and e-mail addresses, also will be available.

The New Ulm Public Library already has its own Web site. Pelzel said a link will be established, connecting the city site with the library.

During election cycles, the site will have additional information about the location of polling places.

"We think there is a need out there," Pelzel said. "We're looking forward to launching this Web page."