City Council Minutes 2014 05 06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes May 6, 2014 Page 8 of 27 for the hotel lodging tax. In general, the Finance Committee felt comfortable with the changes and staff's recommendations. Council member Stolzmann asked Parks and Recreation Director Stevens to address the new position at the cemetery. Parks and Recreation Director Stevens noted this position was previously held by a contract person. It became an issue of insurance and liability. The new position will provide more control over the cemetery and reduce the City's liability. Council member Stolzmann asked Council member Loo if she was proposing to cut funding for the McCaslin wayfinding area and focus on the Downtown parking this year. Council member Loo asked if Council would have the opportunity to look at the parking signage in relationship to the 2015 budget. She felt the taxpayers may question spending $100,000 for wayfinding signs for the McCaslin /Centennial area. Mayor Muckle explained the significant concern expressed by the McCaslin Business District was the lack of visibility. He anticipated the City Council approving signs, if the study indicates there are useful areas to place wayfinding signs. He felt the proposed signage would assist the business community. Planning and Building Safety Director Russ explained this came from a previous conversation with Council to brand the City image and then creating the commercial image to connect City assets. With the lack of visibility in the McCaslin corridor there was discussion about using public signs with additional off premises and directional signs to assist businesses along the corridor. Two years ago there was an extensive outreach with the Centennial Business Association and signage was their number one request. There was a conflict between property owners and tenants because the owners have to sign off on the signage. The City will work with the business owners through the small area plans. He explained there is still $80,000 in the budget for the downtown signage. Parks and Recreation Director Stevens stated the request for wayfinding signage was identified by citizens and is a part of the Parks Master Plan. He noted there is 30 miles of trails, partly for recreation, but the majority is part of the transportation corridor. This was a 2013 budget item, but there was an opportunity to coordinate with the Planning Division to tie into all aspects of Louisville. He stated this is a high priority of the Open Space Advisory Board, both in 2013 and 2014. Council member Loo stated the experience with Downtown signage design was less than satisfactory. She requested Council have the opportunity to see the design before it is implemented. She stated her understanding that even though there is a line item for signage; the full budget would not be spent. She felt the signs should be designed by professionals. Planning and Building Safety Director Russ stated the staff released an RFP for a consultant for the small area plan and the branding and wayfinding signage.