In an effort to improve the city of Terre Haute’s web site, the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety Monday approved a contract with Fisher-based software company Six Feet Up Inc.

Brad Speidel, director of information technology and wastewater utility specialist, said the city since 2009 has used Plone, an open source content management system for its web site.

Speidel asked the board to approve a contract with Six Feet Up, also an open source content management system, which will work with the city’s Information Technology department to develop a new city web site.

The software, Speidel said, will be easier for city departments to post information, adding each city department is responsible for maintaining individual department information on the city’s web site. Additionally, the city, Speidel said, is working to make its web site more citizen focused and ensure all board and commissions have agenda, meeting minutes and other information that is identical on each department web page.

Speidel said an open source content management systems lets the city’s IT department make changes, such as publishing, editing, managing and deleting content and allows the city to use computer applications created for certain purposes, such as a weather app, or search app simply by paying for the application and applying it to the city’s web site.

Another goal is to have social media linked to bring people to the city’s new web site, Speidel said.

The contract is for 236 hours to 295 hours for computer consulting, costing between $38,940 and $48,675. Speidel told the board the goal is to have the new web site up by mid-April.

In another computer issue, the board approved $6,300 for St. Louis-based Zobrio for Americans With Disabilities Act assessment, reporting and compliance software.

The board also:

• Approved a request from St. Benedict Catholic Church to close 9th Street from Walnut Street to Ohio Street on April 13, 14 and 20. And to temporarily designate 12 handicapped parking spaces on 9th and 91/2th Street from Walnut Street to Ohio Street on July 10 to July 14 during an annual parish community festival.

• Approved a request from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church to paint a shamrock on Poplar Street on March 14 and close north side of Ohio Boulevard on March 16 for Irish Dash and St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Reporter Howard Greninger can be reached 812-231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com. Follow on Twitter@TribStarHoward.