Vallejo EDC reallocates nearly $19,000 to expand pole-banner pilot, approves photo-contest concept

The Vallejo Economic Development Commission voted June 10 to reallocate previously appropriated commission funds and approve up to $18,967.40 to expand a pole-banner pilot on Georgia Street and other commercial corridors, a package the commission will send to the City Council for encumbrance.

The action followed lengthy discussion about costs, vendor quotes and how to source banner imagery. Chair Monroe moved that the commission add $7,000 from an item B allocation to the banner program; the motion carried with recorded yes votes from Chair Monroe and Commissioners Harrell, Williams and Mitchell, with two commissioners absent. Commissioner Mitchell later moved to present the full $18,967.40 request to council; that motion also passed by the same recorded vote.

Why it matters: commissioners said the banners are intended to improve visual identity downtown and nearby corridors, and that getting the purchase order encumbered before the June 30 fiscal-year deadline is critical to prevent the funds from being swept into the general fund. Interim Economic Development Director (ED) staff warned that encumbrance requires a purchase order or contract and that the city is closing a $28 million budget gap, making prompt action important.

Cost and scope: the commission reviewed vendor estimates and design fees. The chair read an initial vendor quote of $7,061.90 for 50 two-sided (18 by 48 inch) banners, inclusive of hardware and a $139.50 graphic-design fee; the chair estimated a conservative adjusted figure of $7,480.40 if multiple design fees applied. Commissioners identified a prior-year reallocated balance of $7,967; after training and small line-item deductions that left $6,467 available, which they proposed to top up by reallocating funds from other EDC projects to reach the approved total.

Photo contest proposal: Commissioner Harrell proposed using $4,000 of a $7,000 appropriation to run a citywide photo (art) contest to build a city image library and free $3,000 for the banner program. "The allocation of $500 would be a quarterly prize," he said, arguing that a contest would produce authentic, community-sourced imagery and engage local photographers. Supporters said contest-generated imagery could feed ongoing banner updates and community outreach.

Debate over AI and image policy: Commissioners debated whether artificial-intelligence-generated images are acceptable for banners. Commissioner Mitchell said the commission had previously shown AI images and, based on city policy, such images could be used; others urged a subcommittee to set contest rules (human-produced photos vs. AI-assisted). "AI banners can't be used, if that's the case," one commissioner said; another replied the mockups were not final and the subcommittee should clarify allowable imagery.

Procurement and timing: City Attorney guidance noted Municipal Code Chapter 3.20 requires competitive quotes for purchases above $10,000 and a three-quote process for purchases between $10,000 and $25,000. Interim ED staff advised that to avoid fiscal-year sweep the commission should encumber funds promptly and consider phasing purchases (pilot first-run of 50 banners on Georgia Street) while preserving some budget for later rounds or contest prize money.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to transfer $7,000 from item B to the pole-banner program (initial purchase up to 25 banners and policy recommendation for 90-day rotation): motion passed; recorded yes votes — Chair Monroe, Commissioner Harrell, Commissioner Williams, Commissioner Mitchell; commissioners Garcia and Gonzales absent. Outcome: approved. - Motion to present a total poll-banner program request of approximately $18,967.40 to City Council for approval and encumbrance: motion passed with the same recorded votes. Outcome: approved; staff will forward a resolution and exhibit to council.

Next steps: staff will prepare a staff report and exhibits (including JPEG/PDF images and quantities/locations) for the City Council agenda; commissioners agreed to seek updated quotes from vendors and to encumber funds after council approval. Commissioners also recommended subcommittee work to finalize contest rules and to verify installation responsibilities and any public-works specifications.

At the meeting’s close the commission made brief announcements about upcoming community events and adjourned at 7:50 p.m.