Carefree Truth
Issue #687, September 7, 2018
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that the slogan "Keep it Carefree" was introduced by Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer at the August Council meeting, and it was well received as a branding mechanism. Additional signage was being proposed, which would be implemented in 3 phases. The first phase was placing signs on the 4 butterfly wing walls on either side of the 2 entryway arches, and would include the street light banners. The Town was hoping to have the new gateway signs and the banners in place in time for the Pumpkin Festival. The next phases would include directional signs within the Town Center pointing the way to shops, galleries, and restaurants, and signs on Hum Road and on Carefree Drive. A "loyalty program" was also being investigated. The loyalty program would require input from those merchants and restaurants interested in participating.
The gateway arches may be enticing but there is no message to let people know what is beyond the arches, a shortcoming that needs to be addressed. Ms. Kroyer shared the pictures below with the merchants, via email, and received positive feedback. The discussion at the September Council meeting concerned implementation. A decision needed to be made at that meeting in order to have the signs made and installed in time for the Pumpkin Festival.
Ms. Kroyer worked with Howard Bertram, of Bertram Signs, for the design and pricing of the 4 gateway signs. The total, including installation, came to $29,352. The money is available in the contingency fund.
Mr. Bertram explained that the signs would be made of aluminium, with anodized gold colored aluminium letters consistent with the existing letters in the signs within the Gardens. Cheaper materials could be used, but this material would lend permanence to the signs. The background would be powder coated in a color to match the gateway arches. Councilman Mike Krahe asked about the size of the lettering. Mr. Bertram said the top line would be 4-1/2" high. Discrete landscape lights placed at angles in front of the signs would provide the lighting.
Mayor Peterson noted that Ms. Kroyer had had multiple conversations with Mr. Bertram about pricing. One objective was to utilize a business located within Carefree. Mr. Bertram, who made all the signage withing the Gardens, assured the Council that his was very competitive pricing for the equivalent quality product. Everything done by Bertram Signs is their best, and they give the Town fair prices. Their business is in this community and their work is a reflection on them.
Vice Mayor Crane noted that the message is "Keep it Carefree", so the signs kicking off this program should be made by a Carefree business. Mayor Peterson added that this would be the first step. Over time, there would be additional signs directing people towards the restaurants and shops in the town center, but the purpose of the signage under immediate consideration was to enhance the effectiveness of the gateways. Mr. Bertram said these signs would reinforce what's behind the gateways. Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if this was the final verbiage. The Vice Mayor confirmed that it was.
If approved, these signs would be made now, and the signs discussed for the secondary entries into the downtown area would be made in the next fiscal year. It was hoped that the new banners and these aluminium signs would done in time for the Pumpkin Festival. Mr. Bertram said the banners were no problem. They only take a few days. These signs would take weeks, but he would do his best to have them done in time for the Festival.
Mr. Hatcher questioned why this was coming out of the contingency fund rather than the marketing budget. Gary Neiss explained that the budget is discussed months in advance of the fiscal year. During the fiscal year, the Council discusses unforecasted ideas that arise. These ideas have associated costs. This is an excellent example of that. Last fiscal year, $11,000 for the trolley came out of the contingency fund. Dr. Krahe pointed out that the 2 additional flashing traffic speed signs also came out of contingency. Mayor Peterson asked if the price for the signs required an overage contingent. Mr. Bertram replied, "That's the price".
The Council approved the design and expenditure 6-0, with Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer absent.
https://vimeo.com/288484865
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Mr. Bertram explained that the signs would be made of aluminium, with anodized gold colored aluminium letters consistent with the existing letters in the signs within the Gardens. Cheaper materials could be used, but this material would lend permanence to the signs. The background would be powder coated in a color to match the gateway arches. Councilman Mike Krahe asked about the size of the lettering. Mr. Bertram said the top line would be 4-1/2" high. Discrete landscape lights placed at angles in front of the signs would provide the lighting.
Mayor Peterson noted that Ms. Kroyer had had multiple conversations with Mr. Bertram about pricing. One objective was to utilize a business located within Carefree. Mr. Bertram, who made all the signage withing the Gardens, assured the Council that his was very competitive pricing for the equivalent quality product. Everything done by Bertram Signs is their best, and they give the Town fair prices. Their business is in this community and their work is a reflection on them.
Vice Mayor Crane noted that the message is "Keep it Carefree", so the signs kicking off this program should be made by a Carefree business. Mayor Peterson added that this would be the first step. Over time, there would be additional signs directing people towards the restaurants and shops in the town center, but the purpose of the signage under immediate consideration was to enhance the effectiveness of the gateways. Mr. Bertram said these signs would reinforce what's behind the gateways. Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if this was the final verbiage. The Vice Mayor confirmed that it was.
If approved, these signs would be made now, and the signs discussed for the secondary entries into the downtown area would be made in the next fiscal year. It was hoped that the new banners and these aluminium signs would done in time for the Pumpkin Festival. Mr. Bertram said the banners were no problem. They only take a few days. These signs would take weeks, but he would do his best to have them done in time for the Festival.
Mr. Hatcher questioned why this was coming out of the contingency fund rather than the marketing budget. Gary Neiss explained that the budget is discussed months in advance of the fiscal year. During the fiscal year, the Council discusses unforecasted ideas that arise. These ideas have associated costs. This is an excellent example of that. Last fiscal year, $11,000 for the trolley came out of the contingency fund. Dr. Krahe pointed out that the 2 additional flashing traffic speed signs also came out of contingency. Mayor Peterson asked if the price for the signs required an overage contingent. Mr. Bertram replied, "That's the price".
The Council approved the design and expenditure 6-0, with Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer absent.
https://vimeo.com/288484865
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.