Council approves Option 3 for West Main Street gateway sign, will cover small budget variance

The Tavares City Council on Sept. 3 selected Option 3 for the West Main Street gateway feature, approving staff's recommendation after a presentation from the city's continuing sign contractor.

Public Works Director James Dillon told the council the gateway was a top capital priority and that city staff and consultant Dom Bell Signs presented three day-and-night conceptual designs. "The gateway feature is budgeted $206,500," Dillon said; he added that the cost associated with staff's recommendation for Option 3 is $217,240, producing a nominal variance of $10,740 that staff proposed to absorb within the Public Works budget.

Dom Bell Signs representatives explained the differences among the options. Valerie Groove, who said she has worked with the city for 15 years, described Option 3 as an aluminum-backed design with channel letters that provides stronger nighttime visibility and a design element evoking a seaplane wing—tying to the city's "America's Seaplane City" branding. Council members discussed aesthetics and durability; one member said the arch motif fit better with other city elements than a square cabinet design. The vendor said color and RGB lighting options are available and that the project will require footers and periodic road closures during installation.

Staff estimated a 20-to-25-week construction timeline after permitting and said the project will be done in phases with footers first; funds will roll from the current fiscal year into next year to complete the work. A motion to adopt Option 3 was made and seconded; the council voted by voice and approved the selection.

Ending: Staff said the project will proceed to permitting and final engineering; Public Works will manage coordination for required road closures and a first-quarter budget amendment will reflect the rollover and appropriation to cover the variance.