Council approves alumni lettering for Holdridge Park welcome sign

The city council approved a request from local alumni to add commemorative lettering to the North Park "Welcome to Holdridge" sign after hearing a presentation from an alumni representative who said the lettering would be paid for with private donations.

Bill Tran, who introduced the proposal on behalf of the alumni, said the group previously funded the sign’s footings and slab and has prepared brochures and a short video documenting the work and the local artists. "We raised the money for the lettering," Tran said, asking the council only to permit the lettering to be attached to the existing, city‑owned sign.

The request also cited the town’s prior participation in a regional "passport program," which organizers said brought visitors to downtown retailers and museums. Speakers said rejoining that program and including the alumni names on the sign would help local tourism and commerce without requiring city funds.

Council members asked procedural and placement questions and confirmed the lettering would be installed within city limits and coordinated with the parks department so normal bidding and permitting rules apply. The presenter and council members emphasized the work had been privately funded; council staff said no city budget money would be required for the lettering itself.

After brief deliberation a council member moved to approve the request. The council approved the motion by roll call; the chair declared the request approved. The transcript records affirmative roll‑call responses from members present.

The council did not specify a motion mover or seconder in the public transcript; the approval was recorded by roll call and the council proceeded to the next agenda item.