City directs staff to develop formal street-banner program to standardize displays and welcome students

Rohnert Park — The City Council on March 24 directed staff to develop a formal street banner program that would set standards for size, materials, installation, duration and maintenance for banners on city-owned poles.

City Manager Marcela Piedra presented the program concept and said staff aim to replace the city’s long-standing informal practice with a standardized policy. "What we're trying to do is create some standards that we can allow any interested group that is interested in having banners throughout our city," she said, and added that the program would be managed by Public Works and the engineering division.

Staff outlined possible locations (Rohnert Park Expressway, East Cotati, Southwest Boulevard and Golf Course) and said the program could partner with a handful of local vendors for installation and maintenance to reduce burden on a single city arborist. They also noted the need to amend the municipal sign ordinance and take the draft to the planning commission before returning to council, with an aim to bring a full policy back in June.

Public comment included a presentation from Tiffany O'Neil, assistant vice president for alumni relations at Sonoma State University, who said banners welcoming students and celebrating commencement would strengthen town–gown ties. A resident urged that the existing armed-forces banner program be grandfathered or that new standards be compatible to avoid replacement costs.

Councilmembers praised the proposal’s potential to foster civic pride and directed staff to proceed while coordinating legal review on free-speech and sign-code concerns. Staff confirmed they will work with the city attorney and planning commission to return with draft policies and ordinance revisions.