CR 90-188 Approve Final Design Entrance SignIII August 27, 1990
The Hopkins Jaycees have offered to pay for the construction of four
( entrance signs to the City. On August 7 Council authorized staff
to execute an agreement with Varner-Matt sign company to design and
build the first entrance sign for the City. At that time, staff
stated that they would return to the Council for approval of the final
design
If Council approves the final design, staff will proceed to enter into
41, an agreement with the Jaycees to fund the project
ISMISULtekSalltitiat
o What is the recommended design and its cost?
o Where will the sign be located?
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Has the Business Council provided input?
• What other steps wi11 be taken before construction
begins?
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o Detailed Background
o Analysis of Issues
o Alternatives
o Designs
o Project Time Line
Kat': leer v o Bodnar,
APPROVE FINAL DESIGN FOR ENTRANCE SIGN
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Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Approve fins
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This action will approve a final design for the Cic:y's four entrance
signs proposed to be constructed over the next 2 to 3 years. A final
design is needed in order for the Jaycees to approve the disbursement
of funds for the project:.
S ec al Piro eots
Council Rpt 90 --198
40 Entrance Sign Design
Council Rpt. 90-188
Page 2
tjtmilad AgokgLnund
In the fall of 1989, the Hopkins Jaycees contacted the City Staff with
a proposal to donate four entrance signs to the City. This proposal
fit well into the City's Community Image Plan of the Comprehensive
Plan which states: 19 Entrances to the community will be clearly
identified through artfully designed entrance signs."
At the January 2 Council Meeting, the City Council approved the
entrance sign concept and directed staff to pursue easements at the
recommended locations. At that meeting, four locations were
identified as key entrance points for the City and were approved for
placement of the signs.
In February, staff met with the designer who constructed similar
entrance signs for the City of Blaine. He presented staff with a
design for a brick, back -lit lettered sign which would cost $9,000
each. The Jaycees were very surprised at that price and indicated
that they had hoped to spend around $10,000 for the entire project.
Staff met with the designer several times during the spring and summer
to explore different options for materials and lettering to try to
bring down the price. At the same time, staff asked whether the
Jaycees would be willing to fund the project over a two or four year
time period to spread the cost over a longer time period. The Jaycees
agreed with the idea, and recommended that the City pursue a "nice -
looking" sign.
Staff discussed with the Jaycees and Westwood Engineering the various
options and types of signs that the designer had developed. Of the
options presented, both the Jaycees and Westwood recommended that the
City construct a brick sign. They felt that brick would be the most
attractive, most durable and would tie in best with the historic
mainstreet theme.
The deoignex presented the City with a quote between $4,000 and $4,500
for a basic, non -lit brick sign. The staff contacted other sign
companies and found that Varner -Matt had the lowest bid. Staff
followed that up by contacting the City of Blaine and found that they
were very p2 ased with the .r entrance sign and the work that Varner -
Matt Sign Company had done for thorn .
On July 25 staff contacted the Jaycees again to inform them of the
price range of the sign and to confirm that they were still committed
to funding the project. A representative from the Jaycees indicated
that the general membership was still in support ef providing the
entrance signs. He stated that the Jaycees would need a definite
design and price before they mould agree to disburse any funds for
Entrance Sign Design
Council Rpt. 90-180
Page 3
the project. The Jaycees felt they would be able to finance one sign
every six months. The representative estimated that it would take
about 3 weeks from the time the Jaycees received the final design to
the time that they would disburse the money.
On August 7, Council authorized staff to execute an agreement with
Varner -Matt Sign Company to design and build the entrance signs.
Council also authorized staff to enter into an agreement with the
Jaycees to finance the project. If Council approves the design, staff
can provide the definite plans and cost figures to the Jaycees for
their final approval and agreement to fund the project
Analysiejg
o What is the recommended design?
The recommended design would be a gray brick sign with plastic
lettering and a raspberry enclosed in a circle on top. The proposed
cost of the design and construction of the sign will be approximately
$4,700
o Whore will the sign be located?
The first entrance sign will be located on County Road 3 by Powell
Candy. This is the current location of the City's 30 year old
"Welcome to Hopkins" signs Staff net with Powell representatives to
begin negotiations for an easement /lease for a portion of the land.
The old cedar sign will be replaced with the new brick sign.
o Has the Business Council provided input?
Staff met with the Business Council's sign sub - committee last winter
to •discuss the location of the signs. The sub - committee agreed with
the locations that had been established and encouraged the City to
proceed with the project.
• What other steps 'rill be taken before constrtycti begins?
- Final review by Jaycees and Business Council
Secure funding from Jaycees
Disbureement Committee (2nd Tue)
-- Board of Directors (2nd Thur)
-- General Membership (3rd Thur)
- Execute purchase order /agreement with Varner -
lett
Negotiate.lease /easetent with Powell Candy to
replace existing sign with new signs
•
Entrance Sign Design
Council Rpt. 9O -1B
Page 4
Aitarnat4vws
I. Approve recommended design. This action would allow staff
to proceed quickly to meet with the Jaycees and obtain
funding by September. Construction of the signs could begin
by early October and be completed before the ground freezes.
2. approve reco gd d sign wit? mjnor modifications__ This
action would have the designer return with modifications to
the design. Council would review and approve the plans at
the second meeting in September. It would be necessary to
wait until October to meet with and obtain funding from the
Jaycees. This would mean construction would be delayed
until mid- October which could be a problem if there is an
early frost.
3. g roue for further discussion and research. This action
would delay a decision on the sign; until at least the
second meeting in September or later. Again, if Council
approved a design at the second Council Meeting in
September, construction would not be able to begin until
mid - October. If a sign is not approved by September,
construction would probably be delayed until next spring.
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