The city of Pleasanton has unveiled its new website, which officials said was designed as an improved, user-friendly way to inform residents and visitors about everything going on in the city.

The update to the website at www.cityofpleasantonca.gov was an effort aligned with the ONE Pleasanton, five-year strategic plan goal of optimizing the city by "leveraging technology for efficient and effective use by city staff and the public," according to a city press release days before the launch on Nov. 16.

"We are excited to present our new website to the community," City Manager Gerry Beaudin said in the press release. "This digital upgrade aligns with our commitment to transparency, accessibility, and the convenience of our residents and business owners. It will be a valuable resource for anyone engaging with the city."

Heather Tiernan, communications manager, told the Weekly that the city had engaged with Ogden Costa Creative Group, a Pleasanton-based design company, for consulting services from April through November for website development.

Tiernan said that the total design and implementation cost to create the new website was $134,000 and that the project was identified as a priority item in the City Council's previous work plan and that it was budgeted for in the city's general fund budget.

The new website aims to provide easy access to information, services and resources that residents can easily navigate through in a "visually appealing design and a responsive layout that adapts seamlessly to various devices, ensuring accessibility on desktops, tablets and smartphones," according to the press release.

Some of the key features of the website include streamlined access to city services and departments, up-to-date news and announcements, interactive maps, a citizen feedback portal, and a user-friendly search function that Tiernan said is designed to be "intuitive, easily providing accurate and comprehensive results."

Another feature of the new website is accessibility improvements like a translation button that has a dozen languages, screen-reader and keyboard navigation functionality and other readability features.

Tiernan said that the accessibility features will ensure city services are "accessible to all residents, including those with disabilities. The website standards ensure a barrier-free experience for users with diverse needs."

One of the main changes that many residents might notice off the bat is the way governance meetings, agendas and documents can be accessed. To view old, archived reports and notes from City Council and other committees or commissions meetings, residents will have to continue using the old "City of Pleasanton Records Center" website that many have been using already.

But now, any meeting packets and reports after Nov. 7 can be accessed through the new portal located on the new website.

"In conjunction with the city's website redesign, an integrated agenda management system allows for upcoming City Council, commission, and committee meeting agendas and agenda packets to be viewed in one convenient location from the website homepage," according to the press release.