The Toledo City Council’s Oct. 7 meeting featured a presentation on the city’s redesigned website, discussion of artificial intelligence in city communications, and two community proclamations.

Website redesign emphasizes accessibility and online services

Paul Johnson presented the redesigned website, which he said contains about 194 pages organized into four sections: local government, community resources, regional resources and “How Do I” guides. The redesign aims to make common information easier to find, with a goal of reaching services in no more than three clicks.

The site uses 14-point body text and consistent page layouts, and includes online forms for services such as starting utility accounts and contacting city departments. Johnson said the city uses general department contact information rather than publishing staff members’ direct email addresses, in part to reduce spam and protect employee privacy.

Council discusses AI in website work and city communications

Johnson said artificial intelligence was used extensively during the website project, including to generate the images used at the tops of pages. He said AI helped speed up parts of the work, but he also manually revised content and other elements.

Council members discussed the importance of keeping city communications authentic and personal while using AI tools. The discussion included IT security and records-retention requirements, including whether prompts and AI-generated materials must be retained as public records. Johnson noted that some enterprise AI plans provide records of user activity that could support record keeping.

Council members also raised questions about filtering automated submissions to the website’s online forms and making written content more accessible. Johnson said he is looking into ways to reduce bot submissions and is working on a contact-the-city form.

Mayor Tracy Mix proclaimed Oct. 12 as Indigenous Peoples Day in Toledo, recognizing the area’s Indigenous history and the continuing contributions and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. The council also recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Council members discussed ways to make next year’s domestic-violence remembrance more accessible, including options that would not require survivors and community members to attend a single scheduled gathering.