I. Invocation (Pledge of Allegiance)

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

II. Roll Call of Members Present

City Council Members:
Present: Bob Timms, Bill Haggard, Karen Campbell, Shirley Gibson and Sherm Chamberlain
Absent: Bill Bellows

DDA Board Members:
Present: Dan Barron, Fred DiMartino, John Taylor, John Yaroch, Jeff Porter, Mayor Campbell, Hugh Mason and Jeannine Wallace
Absent: John Kurtz

Others present: City Manager Michael Wiesner, City Planner Gerry Harsch, City Clerk Liz Gooch, Kristina Hughes, Julie Witthoeft, Jacqueline Merta, Linda Mason, Mary Ann Chew, Val Meyerson and Cynthia Postmus

III. Inquiry Regarding Possible Conflicts of Interest None.

IV. General Business

Program for Off-Highway Directional Signage and Banner Announcements

City Manager discussed the City Council's goal of having a more pleasing entrance signs into the City. At the time of construction on Belvedere Avenue, signs listing the businesses that were available on the street were posted to help both the businesses and customers reach the businesses. Numerous comments were made that individuals did not know the business existed. The signs were instrumental in advising not only locals, but visitors of the businesses' locations. Presently, it is unlawful to place a business directional signs in the road right-of-way. If the City Council desired to place signs listing the businesses located down a specific side street, we would have to petition State legislatures to change the law, which prohibits TOD - Tourist Oriented Destination signs from being in the City limits.

City Planner Gerry Harsch presented a power point presentation which outlined the possibilities for signage in the downtown area. The Planning Department has received numerous requests for the placement of a sign directing visitors to their businesses. He presented a prototype of a sign which had a City logo on the top of the sign and then would list the business names located on that specific side street.

He also presented the erection of vertical banners at three entrance locations, which would eliminate the present ground clutter which exists at the corner of M-66 & US 31 and near the Golf Course. The banners advertise everything from upcoming events to blood banks. Mr. Harsch proposed three

JOINT CITY COUNCIL DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES
Monday, February 23, 2004 5:30 p.m.
Page 2



locations: M-66 & US 31; Mercer Boulevard, near the Golf Course and the corner of Clinton & Bridge Street. A banner company is willing to work with the City to determine to size of the banners the City like to erect at these locations. All the banners would be a uniform size be erected by City crews atop poles approximately 13' from the ground. A question was raised if a fourth banner location could be considered near the Marion Center/US31 intersection, or perhaps near the electric substation on M-66.

A third type of sign, would direct the public to other locations (i.e., schools, beaches, airport and the distances to the locations from the highway.

Both the DDA and City Council members discussed the concept of signage in the City. Concerns over creating too much signage and assisting would be customers to downtown businesses were discussed. The DDA has done many things to beautify the downtown area, they were concerned with cluttering things up. In the past, the Chamber had a brochure, which is handed out throughout the City that listed the majority of the businesses and their locations. The map showed not only businesses in the downtown area, but also other businesses in locations throughout the City. Could the Chamber/City create a similar brochure for distribution? Can we place visitor's information kiosks in strategic areas? We could place signs and other information in the pedestrian alleys (Hoopskirt & Van Pelt Alley)

It was generally agreed to not ask the State legislature to change the law permitting businesses to have TOD signs in City limits. It was felt to have generic signs with verbiage such as "bank", "historic museum", "barber" etc. to be used as directional signage for off-Bridge Street businesses and visitor information. A list of potential signs will be prepared.

The Boards also generally agreed that sample vertical banners were to be erected to visualize the concept and to see how large the banner would have to be in order to be clearly visible to passing motorists.

V. Adjournment

The City Council made a motion to adjourn

Motion made by Fred DiMartino and seconded by John Yaroch to adjourn. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.

Linda Weller,
Recording Secretary