The Willows City Council voted to renew its street banner contract with CGI Communications and asked staff to pursue a redesign that ties street banners to the city's new wayfinding signs and to prioritize local fabrication and installation.

Staff told the council that the current CGI contract was ending after three years and that CGI is willing to include commitments to use local fabricators and installers. Council member Bridal said the top portion of the new wayfinding sign (a willow-tree motif) would be a natural fit for banners. “We could incorporate the top part of the wayfinding sign, the willow tree, with the ‘Welcome to Willows,’” Bridal said.

Laurel Hill Ward, a member of the public, told the council she values the banners as a source of civic pride but questioned whether they reach motorists on major routes and suggested outreach might be more effective for some goals.

Council members discussed local capacity, noting the CGI program historically relies on sponsorship sales and typically needs roughly 25 banners to be financially viable. Several council members favored a contract amendment that would allow a redesign and encourage CGI to find local vendors; one council member urged not to add staff workload for a volunteer-driven solution. At least one council member said CGI's product has been high-quality and low-burden for staff.

A motion to approve option A (renew the CGI contract) was made, with a friendly amendment to ask the original design team or wayfinding committee to help with banner redesign; the amended motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

The council’s direction asks staff to pursue a contract amendment that includes design changes and efforts to source local fabricators/installers where practicable, and to consider closer visual alignment between the banners and the city’s new wayfinding signs.