11-17-2014 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes November 17, 2014 Page 9 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). 'NATURE]