10.2. SR 02-02-2015 City of
Elk Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 10.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session February 2, 2015 RaeAnn Gardner, Communications Coordinator
Item Description Reviewed by
Wayfinding Program Tina Allard, City Clerk
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
• Review revised wayfinding designs
• Provide staff direction with the Wayfinding Program
Background/Discussion
At the November 17, 2014,Work Session, Council and members of the Wayfinding Fact Finding Group
provided feedback to Visual Communications on the design options for the Wayfinding Program.
Visual Communications has since taken those comments and created two new drawings for consideration
for the starting design for the whole Wayfmding Program.
Option 1A and 113 show the difference between the two stones and also keeps the city logo off of the
sign, but uses subtle touches of the logo within the design.
Options 2A and 213 also show the gateway signage using the two different stones,and incorporate parts
of the city logo.
The Wayfinding Program will help tie a consistent theme to all the signage throughout the city. The
program is a long-term guide. It will not be bid on all at once. Visual will put together specifications so
that projects will be bid out as they're needed and budgeted.
Financial Impact
Current wayfinding maintenance is already included in annual budgets of various departments. Other
wayfinding projects have been budgeted in the Capital Improvement Plan by various departments based
on Council's vision goals, and adopted development plans.
Attachments
• Signage Design Options
• Staff Report City Council Meeting 11-17-14
• City Council Minutes 11-17-14
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Elk Request for Action
Fiver
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 9.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Worksession November 17, 2014 Tina Allard, City Clerk
RaeAnn Gardner, Communications Coordinator
Item Description Reviewed by
Wayfinding Program Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
1. Direction on design concept.
2. Review the project schedule.
3. Provide staff direction with the Wayfinding Program.
Background/Discussion
At the October 6, 2014, meeting, Council stated they would like a worksession to discuss the design of
signage for the Wayfinding Plan.
Council is asked to reference attached staff report dated January 21, 2014,which explains why staff has
requested this program. Many of our long-term development plans call for the need of connections and
wayfinding. All city signage should be tied to a theme established through a Wayfinding Program. The
Wayfinding Program will help tie all development plans together so they are not being completed as silos.
Currently, staff in various departments complete signage projects on their own with no consistency and
sometimes done incorrectly because they are not technical experts in this field. Having this plan would
create a consistent signage family that fits with the city's branding,beautification and fit proper standards
for design readability.
The Wayfinding Program is a long-term guiding document.Visual will put together a full spec plan and
projects will be bid out as they're needed and budgeted. The current value of our city street/park signage
system is approximately$1.2 million.
Financial Impact
Wayfinding maintenance is already included in annual budgets of various departments. Other wayfinding
projects have been budgeted in the Capital Improvement Plan by departments based on Council's vision,
goals, and adopted development plans.
Attachments
• January 21, 2014 Staff Report
• Project Schedule
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cii of
Request for Action
Rive
To item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.3
Agenda Section fleeting Date Prepared by
General Business anua F 21, 2014 RaeAnn Gardner, Communications Coordinator
item Description Reviewed by
Wayfmding Signage Program Tina Allard, City Clerk
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, the.hiring of Visual Communications to create a wayfinding signage program for the
city.
Background/Discussion
On January 6, 2014, the Council heard a presentation from Visual Communications regarding wayfinding
signage. Staff recommends a global,long-term,Wayfinding Master Plan Program for the following
reasons:
• The Master Plan would provide an inventory of current signage to determine areas that need to be
improved and/or where signage needs to be de-cluttered (such as the downtown parking lot).
• A plan is consistent with the Council's Beautification Goal in the adopted 2014 Visioning Plan. A
task under the Beautification Goal is to Pimide Consistent and Expanded Signage.
• It would meet the Council and FDA's goals in the Powered by Nature Branding Program. A
wayfinding program would create a similar, more cohesive look and feel throughout the
community and strongly emphasize Elk River's unique identity.This would highlight and make it
easier for visitors to locate our parks and our downtown;provide for more connectivity to our
amenities. Examples would be signage along the major highways to direct people to such
amenities as the Youth Athletic Complex, Hillside Park, the downtown, etc.
• From the currently Council adopted Comprehensive Plan regarding Community Image, Public
signage is an important element of image. Directional and inforrraational signage can rest community image and
beritage. These public improvements should be part of broaderplans for corridor enhancements If conidoas attempt
to dram people into Elk Kh er, signage must suppod this objective. Signage srsg ests that there are points of interest
not hramediately risibleurn the edge orgateavay. Eectire signage hers visitors navigate around the community.
• Assist in meeting the objectives of the Council adopted Mississippi Connections Redevelopment
Framework Plan. A strategy outlined for the Core Downtown is to,Develop and implement a
ra a finding signage playa, as an added connection between the core donVoini aiva and other neighlaorhoods in the
study area. Transition existing regulatory and infonvatim signage to the theme established by the signage plan.
Short-term priority Projects (0-2 years) outlined in the Framework Plan are:
o Implement a Downtown District signage plan,including parking and directional signage
pew [ flEU et
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o Establish historical point of view context signage.
Mid-term projects (3-5 years):
o Create interpretive signs highlighting historic occurrences along the Mississippi River trail
after hail is installed.
■ City staff doesn't have the technical resources to create a wayfinding program. Signs in the past
have been created on an as needed basis with no uniform look.This can sometimes result in the
need to go back and fix signage,which can cost more in the long run. With a Wayfinding Master
Plan Program, signs requested by departments would be required to meet certain standards before
being created and placed.
Once a program is in place the city would have the means to create some of the smaller signs with the
new printer/cutter that the Street Division purchased in 2013. The city could also move forward with the
signs for the downtown area and Bailey Point Nature Preserve.
Visual Communications would team up with HKGi who will do the research on funding sources that
might be available for the fabrication and placement of future signs.
Financial Impact
The Council has designated $65,000 from the Development Fund,which is outlined in the Capital
Improvement Plan.
Attachments
■ Capital Improvement Plan Worksheet
NAPu61ic Bodies\clgendg Packets\01-21-14\Fina1\x$.3 sr Wsyfinding Hiring.docx
Wayfinding Plan Schedule
Completed
May 13 Wayfinding Committee Meeting
• Determine wayfinding concerns and common areas
• Collection of city marketing and development plans
May 14 Visual Communication City Tour
■ Tour of city to understand wayfinding challenges, parks, history, culture
June 3 Visual met with Council Appointed Fact-finding Committee
■ Receive information on areas of concern and design elements. SWAT
Analysis
June Visual Creates Design Concepts
June Visual Presents Preliminary Design Options
June-October Visual's own analysis projects
• photographic inventory
• definable destinations
• traffic decision points
• sight lines
June July Various Concepts Rendered/Combined
August Presented Final Options 1 &2
August 25 Presented Sign Options on Facebook for Public Comment
August 28 Public Open House for Options 1 &2
■ Fact-finding&Wayfinding Committees invited to attend
October 6 Present Options to Council
■ Staff directed to provide costs of two options
October 20 Ballpark cost estimates presented to Council
■ Council asked for design review/discussion at worksession
Projected Schedule
November 17 Council worksession discussion on design concepts
■ Council to provide input on a design concept they'd like to see
December Council to select design concept.
December Visual to create new or revised options based on Council intent
January Visual to mock up full design schematics
■ Detailed schematics review with Visual&Wayfinding Committee.
Schematics will consist o£
❑ Sign types (sizes, shapes, colors, materials,poles, and hardware)
• Size of letters, fonts,heights, spacing, and style
• Menu of signs and specifications laid out in a draft plan.
• Develop installation locations by sign size and type. Map out via
GIS.
❑ Develop terminology and design icons for primary and secondary
destinations (landmarks,public facilities, retail, and dining
destinations)
❑ Material performance specifications
February Proposed plan schematics presented to Council
■ Council to recommend changes for incorporation into plan
March Proposed plan schematics presented to Council
■ Council adoption of Wayfinding Plan
April Once the city is ready to begin fabricating and installing certain components of
the system,Visual will assist with vendor selection and monitoring of the
production process
May Staff to begin process for proposed 2015 budgeted projects
Wayfinding Plan Schedule
1) Economic Development—Downtown Signage (As directed in the
Mississippi Connections Plan document)
2) Economic Development—Downtown Parking
3) One Gateway welcome sign
a. Pull together partnership opportunities
b. Complete any paperwork permitting process
c. Costs/location/final design presented to Council
4 Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Plan Items
Ongoing Routine maintenance of signage as budgeted by departments
2016 Projects may be budgeted based on Council Vision Plan
City Council Minutes Page. 8
November 17,2014
----------------------------
Moved by Councihnember Wcstgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Motin to approve an increase in engineering fees as outlined in the staff
report. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilrnember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to adopt the following resolutions:
1. Resolution 14-71 establishing parking restrictions on particular municipal
state aid routes.
2. Resolution 14-72 requesting a variance from standard for state aid
operation for Project No. S.A.P. 204-135-001.
3. Resolution 14-73 for implementation of Municipal State Aid Streets Fund
advance.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council recessed at 7:17 pm. Council reconvened at 7:23 p.m.
9.1 Wayfnding Program
Mr. Portner stated consultants from Visual Communications and the Fact-finding
Committee are present tonight to provide their input regarding wayfinding signage.
He reviewed existing signage and some future signage projects that various
departments are working toward completing.
Jesse Yungner and Constance Carlson discussed how they worked with the fact-
finding and wayfinding committee. They reviewed wayfinding signage design
options, outlining how and why certain design elements were selected.
Mr. Portner stated the consultant listened to both the fact-finding and wayfinding
committee to identify expectations and community destinations. They then toured
the city and formed some of their thoughts and perspectives of Elk River. They
created their initial designs considering the items the committee expressed as
important and included some of the community's history and highlights improve
wayfinding. They utilized local input and matched it with an outsiders perspective.
Mr. Richard Lang explained the sign hierarchy. He stated the sign plan will be a
blueprint for the city and outlines in detail how each sign will look,including such
things as font style and size, sign type and materials. He stated his staff will need to
do some field testing to determine how a sign will work and meet with construction
experts to determine the best value at which a particular sign can be built. He stated
they value engineer signage and try out different parts and features to see what will
provide the best value and still work for its location. Mr. Lang noted the city
welcome sign in Orono Park would cost approximately$50,000-60,000 to build
today. Mr. Lang revealed a preliminary map with a key messages mock-up to show
the Council the type of data that would be provided in a wayfinding plan.
pawinia By
NATURE
City Council Minutes Page 9
November 17,2014
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Mayor Dietz stated several of the signs shown have stonework in them but this type
of stone is not native to Elk River. He stated the city has a lot of gravel pits and
maybe something more native should be used, such as rock.
Councilmember Westgaard noted that the downtown Rivers Edge Park has the
limestone look throughout.
Mayor Dietz stated it would be valuable for the consultant to look at the city's sign
equipment in order to see how much can be done in-house. He stated he likes
Option A. He stated he wants to keep a simple approach and not add more design
elements to signage than needed.
Councilmember Wilson concurred. He expressed concern about the investment the
city has in its logo and that it should be carried through in wayfinding signage. He
stated he wants the logo more obvious rather than subtle. He understands why the
limestone look was chosen but doesn't feel it is representative of the city. He stated
Elk River rock or boulders would be more representational. He stated he preferred
Option A. He stated the vertical gateway signage had more appeal to him.
Councilmember Motin stated he has no issues with the limestone type rock in the
designs as they go well with the downtown. He stated he doesn't necessarily feel
every sign needs to be consistent and have the same look to them and suggested that
park signs have one look and another sign type have another look. He expressed
concerns with the original signage not having costs attached with them when
presented to Council at a previous meeting. He questioned how issues can be
remedied based on uniformity of signage, such as the rules signage in some parks. He
stated he likes the use of the city logo and would like to see it done in a way that if
the city changes its logo, the city logo portion of the sign can be changed out.
Councilmember Westgaard concurred. He stated he likes the limestone look and
feels it makes the signs look rich and nice. He stated a goal wasn't set out at the
beginning that the committee had to use only materials found in Elk River. He stated
the city has already made a conscious effort in the downtown park and questioned
why the city would depart from using that same concept, otherwise it may look more
disjointed. He stated he likes a vertical sign over horizontal signage. He stated he
doesn't think the city*needs to have the logo on gateway signage because its purpose
is primarily to say welcome to Elk River visitors. He suggested using the watermark
at time or the cutouts (not an all or nothing situation use,but to watermark at times
without necessarily the elk logo). He stated he likes the international pictograms and
they're easily identifiable as to what is located in the park. He stated the city needs to
clean up and organize its signage and make a conscious effort to make them all the
same as they need replacing. He stated he likes the traditional and contemporary
option. He stated he likes the concept of the option (Option B)with the elk antlers
but without the antlers that hang off the signage (the watermark).
ATUR
City Council Minutes Page 10
November 17,2014
Councilmember Burandt stated they all had some features about them that are nice
and would represent Elk River well. She stated the city needs to look at the costs and
which sign option would be most conducive to that. She stated she likes the idea of
placing signage over time and being consistent with the signage look. She stated she
wouldn't be opposed to any of the options.
Councilmember Motin expressed concern with readability and commented on the
Northstar signage.
Mayor Dietz asked for comments from the fact-finding committee..
Jennifer Wagner, stated she would be hesitant to put the city logo on the signage in
case the logo were to change in future years and suggested the sign be designed so it
can be removed easily. She questioned if anyone can remember what any other city's
logo looks like. She stated the logo is not what identifies the city and isn't going to
dictate whether outsiders like the sign or not. She stated she loves the watermark and
the waves with the die cutting and think they are important design elements. She
stated she likes using the copy of the Powered by Nature brand, but not the logo as
it will become outdated and people will wonder why it was used. She also noted how
important readability is for signage and referred to the Northstar signage. She stated
the limestone is in the downtown park,which is a true gem of the entire city.
Mr. Lang stated there is use of different types of stone throughout the community
and the limestone reflects who the newer suburbs are.
Councilmember Wilson disagreed and stated Elk River is not a new suburb. He
stated this is describing us like we want to become a Maple Grove and it's not who
we are,but, he stated,maybe it's because he has lived here all his life. He stated this
city has taken a lot of the essence of what's important in this community and
replaced it with what's popular today and has no meaning to it. He referenced the
river rock at Handke Pit and how nice it was for a backdrop for the Hockey Day
Minnesota event.
Ms. Wagner stated she understands the need to maintain history but she also
understands the city needs to look into the future and think of the solidarity of color.
She noted it is so much easier to look for the same color signs in a community when
you are trying to locate different areas.
Councilmember Wilson stated he agrees consistency is needed.
Debbie Rydberg, Fact-finding Committee—Stated she would like to see the signage
remain more natural/neutral, since the community is powered by nature. She stated
the reds,blues, and oranges, or a defusing color are not needed because everyone has
their own opinion as to what a color stands for and the community is diverse. She
stated she saw a lot of plants being used and expressed concerns about upkeep and
maintenance in all seasons. She stated she likes the use of natural elements, such as
metals.
INATUREI
City Council Minutes Page 11
November 17,2014
Charlie $lesener, Fact-finding Committee— Stated he likes the idea of having a
plan, similar to the St. Paul example shown, and it makes sense for the cite to adopt a
long-term plan. He stated he liked the vertical look the best. He stated all capital
letters shouldn't be used because it's more difficult to read. He liked Option 1 the
best and didn't care for the red lettering in another option. He stated he liked the
subtle elements such as the antler watermark in the background.
Dave Anderson, Fact-finding Committee—Stated he liked Option 1 the best but he
is not sure he likes it better than the current sign near Orono Park. He noted the sign
does need to be upgraded to the current city elk logo. He stated he prefers the elk
logo on the gateway signage. He stated he prefers natural stone over limestone but
noted it's hard to build things out of round rocks. He stated there are some parr
signs the need to be upgraded. He questioned if the city is behind the times and
should consider creating an Elk River navigation app for mobile technology. He
stated he would like to see the signage be low maintenance with the landscaping.
Cal questioned how much more public input the Council would like for this project
and asked if they wanted it sent to the boards and commissions or want to see
updated designs based on comments received this evening. He noted money is in a
number of departmental budgets for signage. He stated we are Elk River but there
are a lot of people who come from other communities to spend time and money at
our businesses and the city wants to maximize their experience in the community.
Councilmember Morin stated it would be difficult to send to the commissions
because there will be many varied ideas on signage design. He stated there are many
different representatives and viewpoints here tonight and it will be difficult creating
signs based on the differences in comments expressed.
Mayor Dietz suggested the consultant come up with one option that centers on the
current city logo and one without it.
There was discussion about using Option A and changing it out with the elk logo
and the field stone versus the limestone.Various Council and committee members
were split on the use of Option A and Option 1.
Councilmember Motin further expressed concern about using the Powered by
Nature logo because it hasn't taken off in the community. He expressed concern
with it being drilled into the stone and trying to replace it later.
Mr. Lang stated the drill holes in the stone would be an easy fix with different
techniques.
Mr. Anderson asked if the existing sign in Orono Park could be utilized as gateway
throughout the city.
P II M C E A E 1 8 Y
INATUREI
City Council Minutes Page 12
November 17,2014
Mr. Portner asked the consultant about using the existing elements of the Orono
Park sign and creating a wayfinding plan from it.
Mr. Lang stated the Orono Park sign as a gateway sign is very strong and he isn't
sure how it would transfer through the whole signage system. He stated he isn't sure
there are characteristics that are unique enough to create a sign system around it and
suggested adapting it to fit for Orono Park.
Council consensus was to take Option 1 and incorporate some items discussed
tonight, such as changing out the logo and trying different elements of the limestone
and fieldstone.
902 Stares waterr Uti� ty Fee Program
Mr. Femrite presented the staff report. He reviewed communications efforts to
engage the public about how to fund the stormwater program. He discussed survey
questions regarding whether the community wanted a fee based program or for
funding to be taken from property taxes. He noted that more people chose the fee
based program.
Mr. Femrite discussed the feasibility report. He stated the report recommends $3 per
month on residential parcels and a residential equivalency rate for all the commercial
and industrial properties based on their impervious surfaces. The report didn't
discuss how the city should distinguish between a rural or urban residential property.
Mr. Femrite stated staff is working on a draft ordinance. He reviewed a proposed fee
structure. He suggested a tiered rate for residential properties, such as $3 for urban
service residents, $2 per month for rural residential and other properties (non-single
family residential) would contribute $21 per acre of impervious surface per month.
He stated at these rates, the city would generate about$415,000 annually for the
stormwater program.
Mr. Simon stated a new enterprise fund would be created for the stormwater
program. He noted many cities have it classified as an enterprise fund since user
charges are typically the funding source.With creation of a storm sewer enterprise
fund,like all other similar funds, depreciation of assets is included in the budget. A
resolution to close out the current surface water management fund and transfer any
remaining assets to the new enterprise fund will be done as part of the program
approval.
Mr. Femrite stated the impact fees charged to developers are being kept in the fee
schedule in order to keep the fee low for residents and businesses.
Mr. Femrite compared some other cities and asked the Council to focus not on the
amount of the other community's stormwater fee, but rather the trend of their fees
increasing. He stated the general trend,in other cities,is the fee has been increasing
to meet the needs of the new regulations for their reissued permits. He stated this is
P d E R E ! 6 T
INATUREI