4.1. SR 08-03-1998,_.ity of
Overview
iver
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and City Council
Item #/~. 1.
FROM:
DATE:
Stephen Wensman, Planner
August 3, 1998
SUBJECT: New Monument Sign at Lake Orono
The "Welcome to Elk River" sign by Lake Orono was badly damaged in a
spring storm and is in need of replacement. Members of the Chamber of
Commerce approached City Staff and asked if the City was going to repair or
replace the sign. Staff saw this as an opportunity for cooperation between the
Chamber and the City to replace the old sign with one that better serves the
community.
The Chamber established a Sign Task Force including representatives from
the City, businesses, and service organizations to research potential sign
options for the Lake Orono location and potential additional signs in the
future.
The Process
City Staff developed some initial sketches of possible signs for discussion
purposes. The discussion topics included process, materials, maintenance,
funding and design. The Chamber was then able to narrow the scope of the
project and arrive at an initial sign budget. The next step is to choose a
professional sign design company and have some design concepts developed.
Once designed, the budget can be specifically set and the Council will be
asked if they wish to proceed at that time. With concept designs in hand, a
meeting will be held with the City Council for community input. The City
Council will have final approval of a sign design.
The City Council will receive updates on the design process as it moves
forward.
Attachments
· Memo from Renee Sande, President of Elk River Area Chamber of
Commerce.
13065 Orono Parkway * P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to City Council/Signmmo
August 3, 1998
Page 2
* Staff developed sign sketches.
Budget
An initial overall budget is set at $12,000; $2,000 for sign design, and
$10,000 (estimate) for construction. It is City Staff and the Chamber's hope
that area businesses will provide materials and labor at a reduced fee to
lower the overall cost of the project.
Request
The City of Elk River in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce request
$2,000 to undertake the first step in this process that is to hire a professional
to develop sign design concepts.
fi\shrdoc\planning\stevewen\ccmmo\signmmo.doc
Elk RiverArea
Chamber of Commerce
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
City of Elk River
Renee Sande, President of Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce
July 27, 1998
Funding for New Monument Sign at Lake Orono
The Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce is requesting the City of Elk River provide $12,000 in funding
to replace the "Welcome to Elk River" sign at Lake Orono with a "monument" style sign. The concept is for
the sign to be constructed of brick and stone rather than the "billboard" style as was previously on the site.
The previous sign was damaged in a storm last spring. The rotted structure made it cost prohibitive to repair.
The Chamber has established a Sign Task Force comprised of representatives from the city, area businesses and
service organizations. This entrance sign project can prove to be a very positive cooperative venture between the
C ff Elk River and the Chamber. Construction of a nice monument sign is of benefit to both parties because of
our mutual interest in attracting new business to the area. The Sign Task Force has been researching potential sign
options for the Lake Orono location and potential additional entrance signs in the future. Sample sign designs have
been drafted and are attached. The Sign Task Force is requesting funding to advance the project.
Factors involved include funding, maintenance and design process. The initial budget has been set at $12,000.
Up to $10,000 for the sign and $2,000 for design. It is our hope that area businesses may be able to provide
the materials at a reduced fee, and thus lowering the overall cost of the project. Furthermore, the final design
selected will be low maintenance to reduce additional cost to the city and other involved parties. Once designs are
drafted, a special meeting would be held to provide community input. The Elk River City Council would have final
approval of the sign design, and will be kept updated on various designs as we proceed with the project
Service organizations would have their sign moved to the Chamber office. Eventually they would be
incorporated into a new sign, displayed at the Chamber. The details on that would be brought to the
council at a later date.
509 Highway IO · Elk River. Minnesota 55330-1415 · (612) 441-3110
"Building a Better Community Together"
./
WELCOME TO
Elk River