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Isanti council weighs $80,000–$110,000 options for highway liquor-store sign; plans closed-session talks
Summary
Council heard a presentation from a liquor-store representative on refurbishing an existing credit-union sign or installing a standalone pylon sign, with staff citing permit limits and potential land negotiations; the council directed staff to pursue negotiations in closed session.
The Isanti City Council reconvened from recess and spent its next discussion considering options for a highway-facing sign to direct traffic to the municipal liquor store.
Keith, representing the liquor store, told the council the city can either refurbish space on an existing credit-union sign if the credit union agrees or erect a standalone pylon sign. "We can expect or anticipate an 8 to 12% increase in revenue, by having a sign on the highway," Keith said, offering an example 8% gross increase of about $496,000. He cautioned that the figure referred to gross revenue, not net profit.
City staff presented rough cost estimates and permitting constraints. Staff said refurbishing or partnering on the credit-union sign would cost roughly $80,000–$100,000 if the credit union agrees; a new pylon sign was estimated at about $90,000–$110,000. Staff also said the usable life of the signs is commonly estimated at about 15 years and that lease terms and who owns the sign base affect long-term value.
On permitting, staff told the council that a sign explicitly advertising the liquor store would require state approval and must be outside the right-of-way, while a municipal "community" sign has fewer local-permit requirements and could include limited directional copy. "If we're advertising for the liquor store at all, we have to get it approved by the state," staff said. For electrical costs, staff reported Connexus Energy data showing annual power for similar LED signs generally ranges from about $1,500 to $3,000 — lower than earlier large-billboard estimates.
Council members debated location and financial risk. Several members said a 10‑year lease (with a 5‑year option) felt short for a six-figure investment and suggested pursuing longer lease terms or purchasing property near the store. Members discussed alternate locations — including city-owned slivers near Colburn's, the liquor-store rooftop, and church-owned lots south of O'Reilly's — and whether private owners would share sign space. Staff said a recent outreach to a potential landowner produced little interest, and staff recommended negotiating land or lease options in closed session if the council wished to pursue them.
The council did not adopt a formal sign contract or approve funding at the meeting. Instead, members instructed staff to bring the matter back for closed-session negotiations on property and contract terms. The meeting record shows the council voted unanimously 5–0 to come out of recess earlier in the meeting; the transcript ends soon after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded, with no recorded vote on adjournment in the provided text.
Next steps: staff will return with negotiation options and contract details in closed session before any binding commitment is made.
