Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Florence council reviews $32,000 signage package for Charles Whitlow Rodeo Grounds; council asks for local bid review
Summary
Staff presented designs and a $32,000 estimate for new signs at the Charles Whitlow Rodeo Grounds; council members generally liked the designs but asked staff to explore local vendor ACI and to return with options while the town manager said he had asked staff to proceed quickly.
Florence, Ariz. — Town staff presented proposed signage designs and an estimated cost just over $32,000 for the Charles Whitlow Rodeo Grounds at the Town of Florence council meeting on Sept. 16, and council members asked staff to review local contracting options before final procurement.
Jeff (town staff) told the council the package includes a double-sided primary entrance sign with an 11-foot-by-4-foot face, two vertical 1-foot-by-8-foot pole signs mounted to existing light poles, two reflective 8-foot-by-4-foot wayfinding signs placed a half-mile north and south of the entrance (the north sign would sit on ADOT property and was designed to ADOT standards), and a 5-foot-by-3-foot single-sided exit sign inside the property. Jeff said the “estimated cost for this sign package would total just over $32,000, plus town permits and fees,” and that $41,000 had been reserved for the project within an $86,000 fiscal-year allocation for recreation facility signage.
Vice Mayor Adam praised the design as “extremely attractive” and urged more prominent placement of the rodeo logo and text emphasizing the rodeo’s youth programming, saying in part, “America's Youth Rodeo is what would grab you.” Other council members likewise supported improved marketing prominence for the rodeo logo and agreed that signage along State Route 79 is important for visitor safety and tourism.
Several council members urged staff to consider ACI, a local correctional-industry facility that produces signage and other fabricated items in town. Council member Vincena said she preferred local production and questioned the $32,000 cost; Council member Bichelaro and Council member Maldonado also recommended evaluating ACI’s capacity, noting ACI has done local projects including furniture and metalwork. Jeff explained the town planned to use Summit West Signs under a cooperative purchasing agreement so the town could move quickly; he said using a competitive bid process now could delay installation and miss the rodeo event in November.
Town Manager Bruce Walls said he directed staff to proceed with the current vendor to meet the timeline: “this one's on me. I told him to go and get it done and get it done quickly,” Walls said. Council members asked staff to return quickly with cost comparisons and the rodeo commission’s marketing input; Vice Mayor Adam suggested returning the revised designs to the rodeo commission for review.
Why it matters: The signage package is intended to improve wayfinding and visitor safety on a busy corridor, support tourism and the rodeo grounds’ brand, and fit within an existing recreation-signage budget. The council supported the design but requested local vendor pricing and a final check with the rodeo commission before procurement.
What’s next: Staff will pursue procurement options and report back; the town manager authorized staff to move forward if needed to meet the November event timeline.
