Soofa Community Informational Signs
Program Update & Options
Community Services Standing
Committee
September 15, 2026
Chiara Hanna, Senior Management Analyst
Six Soofa Installed in 2021
The program was established to provide an additional, physical way to share timely City information with residents and visitors, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Original objectives included:
• Share City Manager’s Weekly Report, upcoming events, programs, services and community announcements.
• Reach residents who may be less likely to access traditional City communication channels.
• Maintain access to City information during COVID-19 pandemic, when many City facilities were closed or had limited access.
• Allow information to be updated remotely and presented in multiple languages.
Program Background
Six signs were authorized at:
1. City Hall
2. San Pablo Library
3. Senior Center
4. Community Center
5. Davis Park
6. Rumrill Sports Park
Original financial authorization:
• Year 1 : $44,000 (Installation and first year of operations and maintenance) • Years 2-5: $18,000 annually
Original Authorization
What We’ve Learned
• Signs continue to provide a physical, location based communication tool. • Content can be updated remotely and tailored by location. • Pedestrian activity varies significantly by location. • After approximately five years, this provides an opportunity to reassess the program’s size, locations and cost.
Data limitation:
Foot-traffic data measures people passing near the signs – not necessarily people who stopped, viewed or read the information.
Program Update
Average Pedestrian Count Per Day
September 2024 – August 2026
Pedestrian activity is a measure of potential exposure, not readership or engagement.
Pedestrian Activity by Location
Location Average Per Day
San Pablo Library 206
Community Center 131
Senior Center 100
City Hall 68
Rumrill Sports Park 46
Davis Park 50± (estimated)
Cost assumptions
• Black & White: $3,000 per sign annually
• Color Year 1: $33,000 per sign (includes replacement/upgrade of existing signs) • Color Years 2-3: $5,000 per sign annually
Program Options & Cost
Option Configuration Year 1 Years 2-3
1. Continue as-is 6 B&W $18,000 $18,000/yr
2. All Color 6 Color $198,000 $30,000/yr
3. Consolidate 2-3 B&W $6,000-$9,000 $6,000-$9,000/yr
4. Consolidate + Color 2-3 Color $66,000-$99,000 $10,000-$15,000/yr Staff recommends considering a more targeted program by retaining 2-3 signs at highest-activity locations, with black and white screens.
Potential locations: San Pablo Library, Community Center, and Senior Center Rationale
• Maintains a physical City information resource
• Focuses the program where potential reach is greatest • Reduces ongoing costs
• Avoids significant Year 1 investment in color conversion • Allows the City to continue evaluating program effectiveness Staff Preliminary Recommendation
Staff is seeking direction regarding:
• Number of locations: 0, 2, 3, or all 6
• Sign type: Black and white or color
• Preferred locations
Next step:
Staff will proceed with any required contract/authorization actions based on Committee direction.
Committee Direction