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Mill Creek council approves $138,399 contract for city entrance and wayfinding signs
Summary
The Mill Creek City Council voted 5-0 to authorize a contract with Signs Plus Inc. not to exceed $138,399.08 to replace and enlarge monument and wayfinding signs; councilors debated illumination, landscaping options and the signs' relocatability if annexation proceeds.
The Mill Creek City Council on May 20 approved a resolution authorizing the use of rehabilitation, preservation and beautification funds and a contract with Signs Plus Inc. for fabrication, installation and removal of city monument and wayfinding signs in an amount not to exceed $138,399.08.
Project engineer Robert Bean told the council the package covers removal, repair and powder-coating of existing signs, installation of new larger monument signs at key entry points and replacement foundations. Bean described nine sign locations and said SignPlus, headquartered in Bellingham, was selected through a request-for-proposal process as the highest-scoring vendor.
Bean said the full signage budget is $228,000; the proposed contract is $138,399.08, leaving about $89,727 in the project budget for landscaping or future lighting. He noted that full illumination of the four largest signs would have added more than $100,000 and exceeded current funding. “The design and fabrication…so that's what we get for $138,000,” Bean said, describing the vendor’s refurbishment and installation approach.
Council members pressed staff on several points before the vote. They asked whether the signs could be relocated later if the city annexes new areas; staff said the signs will be bolted to removable foundations so they can be moved at modest cost. Councilors also asked about prior spending on wrapped signs; staff said about $37,000 was spent on surveying and wrapping that will mostly be replaced under the new plan. Several council members urged preserving budget for lighting at major entrances, while others favored reserving funds for landscaping and phased enhancements.
Mayor Stephanie Vignell called for the question after a motion to adopt the resolution and a second. The motion passed on a voice vote, 5-0.
Votes at a glance - Motion to excuse absent council members: passed 5-0 (procedural). - Motion to adopt the resolution and authorize the Signs Plus Inc. contract not to exceed $138,399.08: passed 5-0. - Consent agenda items (checks, ACH payments, payroll, minutes): passed 5-0.
The council and several residents framed the project as a civic beautification and wayfinding investment; a public commenter who represents a community safety nonprofit later said clear signage can also reinforce safety messages in public space. Staff said they will return with implementation details and that some landscaping enhancements could be phased in later.
