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Bell Gardens council approves purchase of multiuse banner systems for key entrances
Summary
The council directed staff to purchase and install multiuse banner systems on Florence and Eastern (and use existing Garfield electrification) with an amended motion to prioritize customizable LED displays, include 'Bell Gardens' on signage, and limit general-fund contribution to 50%; staff will seek non-general-fund sources and return with design and site renderings.
The Bell Gardens City Council on Jan. 26 directed staff to purchase and install multiuse, customizable banner systems at key city entrances and to prioritize solutions that can be used year-round.
Public Works Director Bernie Neguez presented options including purchasing Caltrans-standard banner poles with electrical conduit (estimated engineer’s cost: roughly $325,000 for a single new location including design and construction), renting holiday-decoration packages through third-party vendors (year-one procurement costs in peer cities ranged $125,000–$150,000 with recurring annual maintenance of $60,000–$80,000), or outright purchase of decorative systems. Neguez explained that Edison discontinued its streetlight-acquisition program in 2015, meaning city-owned pole acquisition is not available through that channel.
Councilmembers raised alternatives including phased deployment, sponsorship by local businesses and the nearby casino, and programmable LED banners that could be updated by staff. Several members emphasized using the installations year-round for marketing and event promotion rather than limiting them to a single holiday season.
Councilmember Chavez moved—and later amended—the motion to direct staff to purchase and install banners on Florence and Eastern (with Garfield’s existing electrification to be leveraged), to prioritize flexible and customizable LED signage (so staff can update messages), to include the text “Bell Gardens” on the display, and to require that 50% of the cost not come from the general fund (i.e., staff should explore development impact fees, sponsorships, grants or other non-general-fund sources). The motion passed on roll call. The council asked staff to return at the next meeting with renderings for both candidate locations and to report on inventory and supply-chain timing for poles and lighting systems.
Why it matters: The decision commits the city to invest in more permanent, multiuse entrance signage and lighting that city leaders and some residents say will increase civic pride, support marketing and events, and provide year-round utility beyond holiday decoration.
Next steps: Staff will gather informal quotes and available inventory, pursue funding options that avoid general-fund dependence where possible, prepare renderings for the council’s decision on exact locations, and report back at the next regular meeting.
