I. RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 4314 memorializing and confirming the City Council's March 19, 2026 approval of a budget adjustment for the installation of a programmable LED electronic message sign at the fire station. The original design was previously approved as a one-time project on June 18, 2025 in the amount of $25,000. The revised project replaces the damaged sign with a larger monument-style LED sign and supports time-sensitive public safety information, emergency notifications, recruitment messaging, and community engagement updates.
II. BACKGROUND:
On March 19, 2026, the City Council approved a budget adjustment for the Fire Department LED sign project. The staff report presented at that meeting described the need for a larger programmable sign to replace the damaged existing sign and improve public communication.
The Fire Department currently relies on static signage, social media, and the City website to share information. While effective for some audiences, those platforms do not reach all residents, particularly those who do not use social media, do not frequently visit the City website, or require immediate visible location-based notifications. An LED message sign provides real-time, high-visibility communication to residents traveling through the area. The current signage is no longer illuminated, and the new illuminated lettering would be consistent with signage on other City properties such as City Hall and the Police Department.
III. DISCUSSION:
The LED sign is an enhanced public safety communication tool. The sign will be used to display:
· Emergency alerts (road closures, severe weather warnings, wildfire conditions)
· Disaster preparedness information
· Fire prevention messaging
· CPR/AED training announcements
· Smoke detector campaign reminders
The original sign project was developed prior to a vehicle accident on July 29, 2025, which resulted in damage to the existing sign. Following the accident, the scope of the project was revised to replace the damaged structure with a monument-style LED sign.
The updated design is larger and significantly enhances the Fire Department's ability to communicate information to the community.
After the March 19, 2026 action, staff identified that the associated resolution number had not been assigned. Adoption of this item formalizes the Council's prior action in resolution form without changing the project scope or the budget amount previously approved.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
1. Do not adopt the resolution and leave the prior Council action without a numbered resolution in the record.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no new fiscal impact associated with this action. The updated estimate for the larger two-sided programmable LED display monument sign and replacement of current wall signage on the Elm Street side of the property remains approximately $72,000, consisting of $62,409.70 for the two-sided monument sign and illuminated signs, $2,981.15 for the electrical connection, and a 10% contingency. The budget adjustment previously approved was approximately $47,000.
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