Agenda Item No: 2.a
PLACENTIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: April 1, 2025
Submitted by: Nicolette Drulias
From: Administrative Services
Subject:
Approval of Official City of Placentia Centennial Logo, Seal, and Tagline Financial Impact:
Fiscal Impact:
Expense: $ 2,500 - Total Project Amount
Budget: $30,000 - FY 2024-25 Budget (101534-6053) Summary:
As part of the City's ongoing preparations for its Centennial Celebration in 2026, Staff and the Centennial Steering Committee have been working to develop a cohesive visual identity that reflects Placentia’s rich history and bright future. The centennial logo will be used across marketing materials, social media, event promotions, and community outreach, while the centennial seal will be incorporated into official City documents, forms, and communications.
Once approved, the Committee will start using the logo for marketing materials, sponsorship packages, etc., but the seal will only be used during the 2026 centennial year.
On March 10, 2025, Staff presented the initial designs of the centennial logo and tagline options to the Centennial Steering Committee. The seal was not yet ready to be reviewed, but Staff explained to the Committee what it would look like and when it would be used. The Committee provided input and recommendations, and Staff made refinements based on their feedback. The updated designs being presented to the City Council reflect these adjustments.
Approval of the centennial logo, seal, and tagline will allow the City to establish a unified and recognizable brand for the 2026 Centennial Celebration. These elements will be integral to promotional efforts and ensure a successful and well-recognized milestone event for the Placentia community.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Review the proposed centennial logo, seal, and tagline; and
2. Provide any recommendations or feedback to Staff regarding the designs; and
3. Approve the use of the centennial logo, seal, and tagline so that the Centennial Steering Committee can proceed with creating marketing materials and seeking sponsorships.
Strategic Plan Statement:
1 This item is consistent with the City Council approved 5-Year Strategic Goal to Increase Community Engagement under Objectives #4.1 and #4.2, which is to Evaluate Alternative and More Creative Methods of Community Outreach and Increase Community Engagement/Outreach.
Discussion:
The centennial logo, seal, and tagline will play a crucial role in branding the City’s centennial celebration, fostering community engagement, and securing sponsorships to support centennial initiatives. The logo’s design reflects Placentia’s historical roots while incorporating modern elements to signify growth and progress. The seal maintains a formal and official appearance appropriate for City documents and correspondence.
To ensure that the City’s centennial branding aligns with best practices and successful precedents, Staff conducted research on centennial logos and branding used by other cities, counties, and special districts. This research provided valuable insights into design concepts, historical symbolism, and branding approaches that effectively celebrate a milestone anniversary. Staff reviewed centennial logos from:
Chandler, Arizona
Cedar City Railroad Depot
City of Chino
City of Lynwood
City of Maywood
City of Brea
OC Public Libraries
City of Soledad
City of Groveland
City of Huntington Beach
City of Signal Hill
City of La Habra
By analyzing these logos, Staff was able to identify common elements, such as the use of historical imagery, community landmarks, and gold colors, which helped inform the design process for Placentia’s centennial logo and seal. Some organizations simply revamped their seal, some created an entirely new logo, and some did a combination of the two. Based on this, it's being recommended that the City utilize both a logo and an updated seal.
The Centennial Steering Committee was presented with two color options for the centennial logo: one in green and the other in blue. After careful consideration, the Committee selected the blue version as the preferred option. Additionally, the Committee provided recommendations regarding elements to be included in the final logo to ensure it reflects Placentia’s heritage. These recommendations included incorporating a walnut, an orange, orange groves, the Bradford Bridge, and the Placentia water tower—each of which holds historical significance to the community.
For the official centennial tagline, three tagline options were presented at the March 10, 2025 Centennial Steering Committee meeting:
Honoring Our Heritage, Building Our Tomorrow
Rooted in Heritage, United in Community
A Legacy of Community and Progress
2 During the meeting, a fourth option was considered:
Century of History, Future of Possibilities
After discussion, the Centennial Steering Committee recommended selecting Rooted in Heritage, United in Community as the official centennial tagline to present to the City Council, as they believe it best embodies the values and legacy of Placentia.
Approval of the centennial logo, seal, and tagline will allow the City to establish a unified and recognizable brand for the 2026 Centennial Celebration. These elements will be integral to promotional efforts and ensure a successful and well-recognized milestone event for the Placentia community.
Fiscal Impact Summary:
The total project cost for the design of the centennial logo and seal amounts to $2,500. A total of $30,000 was budgeted in the FY 2024-25 Budget to secure a contractor for the Centennial Commemorative book and Centennial logo design and branding. As such, sufficient funds exist to cover the Centennial logo and seal design.
Attachments
Tagline, Logo, and Seal Presentation
3 Approval of Official City of Placentia Centennial
Logo, Seal, and Tagline
City Council Meeting
April 1, 2025
City of Placentia
4 Branding for the Centennial
•The centennial tagline, logo, and seal will play a key role in:
•Branding the 100th year celebration
•Fostering community engagement
•Securing sponsorships
•Tagline: Captures the spirit of Placentia’s centennial and will be used across marketing materials, social media, and event promotions to unify messaging. •Logo design: Reflects historical roots while incorporating modern elements to signify growth. •Seal: Maintains a formal and official appearance for City documents. 5 Proposed Tagline
6 Proposed Centennial Tagline Selection
•Three original tagline options:
1.Honoring Our Heritage, Building Our Tomorrow
2.Rooted in Heritage, United in Community
3.A Legacy of Community and Progress
•Additional tagline considered:
4.Century of History, Future of Possibilities
•Committee’s Recommendation:
2.Rooted in Heritage, United in Community
Committee agreed that this best embodies Placentia’s values and legacy.
Is there any initial feedback from the City Council?
7 Proposed Logo
8 Research and Best Practices for Logos
•Staff researched centennial branding from other cities, counties, and districts to align with best practices.
•Key findings:
•Use of historical imagery and community landmarks
•Gold and traditional color palettes
•Some organizations revamped their seal, created a new logo, or did both •Based on this research, Staff is recommending that the City use both a logo and an updated seal
9 Research
•City staff researched centennial branding and logos from many other entities, including, but not limited to, the following:
•Cedar City Railroad Depot
•City of Brea
•City of Chandler, Arizona
•City of Chino
•City of Groveland
•City of Huntington Beach
•City of La Habra
•City of Lynwood
•City of Maywood
•City of Signal Hill
•City of Soledad
•OC Public Libraries
10 Centennial Logos/Seals from Other Entities
11 Placentia Centennial Logo Development
•Two color options presented to Centennial Steering
Committee: Green and Blue.
•Centennial Steering Committee selected Blue as the preferred option.
•Committee recommended elements for the logo to reflect Placentia’s heritage:
•Walnut and orange (agricultural history)
•Orange groves
•Bradford Bridge
•Placentia Water Tower
12 Proposed Placentia Centennial Logo Options
•Based on feedback from the Centennial Steering Committee, staff is presenting two options for the City Council to review:
A B
13 Proposed Seal
14 Proposed Placentia Centennial Seal
•On March 10, 2025, staff presented the initial designs of the centennial logo and tagline options to the Centennial Steering Committee.
•The seal was not yet ready to be reviewed, but staff explained to the Committee what it would look like and when it would be used. •Centennial Seal – for official City documents, forms, and communications (used only during 2026).
15 Proposed Placentia Centennial Seal
•The Centennial Seal will serve as the official emblem for the City’s 2026 Centennial year. •Unlike the Centennial Logo, which is used for marketing and promotional materials, the Centennial Seal will be reserved for formal and official City documents. •Key uses of the Centennial Seal may include:
•Elected officials’ apparel
•Official City documents and correspondence
•Proclamations and resolutions
•Agreements and contracts
•City letterhead and reports
•Staff email signatures (during 2026)
•Formal presentations and publications
16 Proposed Placentia Centennial City Seal
•Why Revamp Instead of Creating a New Seal:
•The City’s existing seal is a recognizable and longstanding symbol of Placentia.
•Ensures continuity and familiarity while still commemorating the milestone year.
•Design Modification for the Centennial Seal:
•A ribbon will be added around the existing seal, displaying “Centennial,” and the years “1926” and “2026” were added. These subtle changes maintain the official nature of the seal while marking the City’s 100th anniversary.
•Ribbon colors: blue, red and gold.
17 Proposed Placentia Centennial City Seal
A B C
18 Recommendation
19 Recommendations
•It is recommended that the City Council:
•Review the proposed centennial logo, seal, and tagline; •Provide any recommendations or feedback to staff regarding the designs; and
•Approve the use of the centennial logo, seal, and tagline so that the Centennial Steering Committee can proceed with creating marketing materials and seeking sponsorship opportunities.
20 Questions & Comments
21