CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: April 01, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF PROPOSED CITY BANNER PROGRAM UTILIZING
LIGHT POLES TO BEAUTIFY TRAVEL CORRIDORS AND PROMOTE
CITY SPONSORED EVENTS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
SYNOPSIS
Staff seeks the City Council's feedback on a proposed City Banner Program, which will provide an opportunity to beautify travel corridors in the City and promote City sponsored events, programs, and activities with specific guidelines. The proposed program would create zones for banner placement in select areas of the City, where existing light poles and infrastructure allow.
The program would take a multi-phase approach to installing banners within the different zones, and some banners would be changed out seasonally or to promote specific events, programs, and activities throughout the year.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City has approximately 173 street light/lampposts on City streets that have banner arms. In the past, banners have been posted on the lamp posts along Contra Costa Boulevard’s center median promoting City activities. Some examples include banners promoting the former Shop Pleasant Hill program and the City’s 60th anniversary. Additionally, Maintenance Division staff typically mount American flags on the poles to celebrate federal holidays.
Analysis
Program Benefits: While the poles and banner arms have been used in the past, City staff believes that creating a banner program will realize the full potential of the poles with the following positive impacts for the community:
• Allow the City an additional venue for conveying information to the community at large;
• Maintain and increase City brand identity;
• Provide the City and Agency partners a means of promoting community events and programs;
• Beautify travel corridors with colorful and enticing banners; • Foster a greater sense of community pride among Pleasant Hill residents.
Regulating Banner Poles: The use of City banner poles would be regulated by an administrative policy similar to that which regulates use of the City’s LED Sign Board in front of City Hall. As a non-public forum managed by the City’s Community Relations Division under the direction of the City Manager, banners would be reserved strictly for use by the City to promote a “City sponsored event,” program, or activity, as defined in the City’s LED Sign policy (attached). The banners could also be used simply to beautify travel corridors throughout the City.
Examples of a “City sponsored event” include annual events that the City operates, such as Light up the Night and Community Service Day. However, events like the Chamber of Commerce’s Art, Wine, and Music Festival and the Recreation and Park District’s Blues and Brews event, both of which the City actively sponsors and support, could also be promoted on banners as part of the proposed program.
Banner Content: Banner content is proposed to fit into three categories:
• Messaging that is specific to, or complimentary of, upcoming City events, programs, or activities (e.g., “Light Up the Night “ or “Summer Concert Series”). • Advertising or promotion for general public awareness of partner agencies’ programs and events (e.g., Pleasant Hill Library “Summer Reading” program). • General messages that promote community vitality and pride (e.g., “Shop Local” or “Pleasant Hill – At the Center of Everything”).
Next Steps: If City Council is supportive of the proposed program, staff will pursue the ordering, manufacturing, and delivery of the banners for Phase I, which would target installation of banners on 45 poles along Contra Costa Boulevard (Zone A) and Oak Park Boulevard/Monticello Avenue (Zone B), adjacent to the Library. Subsequent banner installation within other zones in the City would be determined as part of future phases.
FISCAL IMPACT
The initial cost to start the program would require an investment to create banners. For Phase 1 staff anticipates a cost of approximately $15,000 for the production and installation of banners.
Maintenance Division staff would be responsible for the installation of Phase I and the subsequent changing of banners throughout the City as part of future phases. The City Banner Program would be funded through the Community Relations Division budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Staff seeks the City Council’s feedback and direction related to the proposed City Banner Program and the launch of Phase 1, to include creation of 45 banners for installation in Zone A (Contra Costa Boulevard) and Zone B (Oak Park Blvd and Monticello Ave).
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Provide direction to staff to return with a revised program or to not pursue a program.
ATTACHMENT(S):
City Banner Program Map
City LED Content Policy
Summary of Ornamental Lights and Banner Arms
Prepared by: Geoff Gillette, Community Relations Manager Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager