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The Scoop

at City Hall

"Would it be better to consider if we want a sign at all there?" asked Councilmember O'Connor about the corner at Bavaria Road.

Stated Administrator Don Uram, "I think the discussion has morphed into more of a community sign."

"Why are we funding business with a sign?" asked Councilmember Roden. "A number of cities have been abolishing signs and billboards. Why are we thinking about this? Help me understand."

Replied Administrator Uram, "If you don't pay attention to some avenues of information, you're not going to get the information." The avenues he was talking about might include newspapers, newsletters, websites, cable TV, direct mailings, bulk mailings, inserts, word of mouth, promotions, posters, banners, flags, floats, flyers, maps, existing signs and sandwich boards, church bulletins, and other means currently used by or available to businesses to attract customers.

"So you think this sign is going to do it?" asked Councilmember Roden.

"It's another way of getting information out to our residents," replied Mr. Uram.

"We believe a sign is going to change behavior?" asked Councilmember Roden.

Stated Councilmember O'Connor, "I have serious reservations about this project. I think this approach is not effective at all. It's on the wrong side of Hwy 5 for one thing. You wouldn't see the sign until you're actually making the turn. And then there's the whole safety issue. It's a potential distraction for a driver. There are 37 cars per minute going through that intersection at 55 mph. There's enough going at that intersection without the distraction of a sign. The City is going down $200,000 this year. I see such a sign as a discretionary item. I don't see how I can support it."

Stated Mayor Thun, "I come to Victoria three or four times a day. I'm not even going 30 mph at that intersection. I'm stopped! I've talked to people who ask, 'How come you don't have a sign telling us where Victoria is?' I think a community sign would be good. We've got a beautiful community and I want to advertise it."

The mayor was not in favor of a portable sign, however, that could be of lesser quality. "I'd like Council to vote for a sign we could be proud of," she said.

Said Councilmember Roden, "I still think it's a lulu -- Locally Undesirable Land Use. But in no way does this signify that I don't support business. People tune into what they want to tune into. Adding a sign will not generate any more business for this community."

Randy Miller, resident and chair of the VBOA, spoke at the podium. "I agree we should have some kind of sign. I also look at the intersection of Hwy 5 and #11. That's an entry to Victoria that we don't capture. I look at the intersection of #10 and #11. That's also an entry into our system. Signs do work. A majority of members of the VBOA are in favor of the sign. I'd propose a temporary LED sign at Bavaria Road."

Repeated Councilmember O'Connor. "I don't want anybody looking left or right when I'm going 55 mph through that intersection."

Councilmember Tom Strigel gave his opinion. "I've been uncertain and torn. I'm a strong supporter of business and their need to advertise, but not the city doing it. I'd be in favor of assessing the potential in our current sign location. Highway 5 has enough challenges ahead. I'd support an alternative."

Stated Mayor Thun, "I don't mean any disrespect to Randy Miller or the VBOA, but I'm not in favor of any portable sign."

"My approach would be to follow the staff recommendation," said Councilmember Crowley, "but that does not seem to be the direction. We're deviating from the question. We wanted to change behavior at Bavaria Road" Staff recommendation was to install a portable sign to determine impact and feedback, then finalize plans for telephone, electrical, landscaping, and ongoing maintenance of a permanent LED sign at the Bavaria Road.

Staff is now investigating the feasibility and practicality of converting the existing Victoria sign on Hwy 5 to more of a community sign.

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