11-15-1999 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council October 25, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 21 Director of Public Works explained that the letters were fixed. He added that a short message would flash, and a longer message would travel across the sign. Council Member Stigney stated the number of words they typically utilize on the current signage would not fit on the sign scale indicated in the staff report. He inquired if the proposed sign would be able to convey they type of message the City currently displays on the existing sign. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated the proposed sign would provide viewing of more words per second than the current sign. Council Member Stigney inquired if he would be able to read the entire message on the sign as he drives by, and be able to understand the complete message. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated the sign would scroll through three or four messages at a time, and if a person was stopped at the traffic light, they may be able to read 7 to 8 minutes worth of messages. Council Member Stigney clarified that as he presently drives by City Hall, he is able to see a number of words displayed on the sign, which convey a message. He explained there are an average number of words utilized in these messages, and inquired if, on average, this sign would have the ability to convey the same messages that are currently displayed. He pointed out this was important, as shorter messages are not typically utilized. He inquired if the proposed sign would indicate a loss or a gain of message capacity. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated the electronic sign would represent a gain. He explained the present sign utilizes four lines with 35 letters that are visible at one time, however, the proposed sign, which is more legible and visually appealing, utilizes four lines, with two flashing first, and two reappearing after the first part of the message has been read. Council Member Stigney inquired if two lines would convey the same amount of message in the same time frame as the four-line sign that presently exists. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated it would. He explained that some messages would run for 30 seconds, and convey more, and others could be conveyed in 10 second. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Coughlin. To Award the Bid Amount of $47,038.55 to Aim Electronics, and Authorize Staff to Proceed with the Purchase of a Two-Line Electronic Message Board, With the Shortfall of$7,038.55 to Come Out of the Contingency Fund. Council Member Quick stated this sign will improve communications by a quantum leap. Mayor Coughlin requested staff advise in regard to an additional funding source. Finance Director Kessel stated the contingency on the 1999 budget was $48,000, and two items for which they transferred some money out of the Contingency Fund this year. He explained there was a transfer in the range of$6,000 to $8,000, for what purpose, he was uncertain, and the airport litigation, which is over budget, is in the range of approximately $20,000 to $30,000. He stated there was possibly one other item on the expense side of this fund.