The Yuba City Welcome Sign Ad Hoc Committee narrowed 10 finalists to three for new signage at signage on Township Road and State Route 20 and Bogue Road and Highway 99.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - There are many ways to say welcome.

The Yuba City Welcome Sign Ad Hoc Committee narrowed it from 10 to three before the May 21 meeting. 

Two months ago, the Territorial Dispatch reported development liaison Ashley Potocnik's initial presentation to Mayor Shon Harris and the Yuba City Council. At that time, Councilmen Wade Kirchner and Michael Pasquale stepped up to the plate as ad hoc committee members to help decide the fate of the signage on Township Road and State Route 20 and Bogue Road and Highway 99.

After the December 2023 call to artists on conceptual design was complete, the committee, which also included Yuba Planning, Senior, Youth, and Parks & Recreation commissions, reviewed and scored the 10 design submissions based on six factors: creativity, alignment with city branding and guidelines, aesthetic appeal, relevance to the community, feasibility of implantation and overall impression.

"The highest score was 60 and each design was scored by each member of the ad hoc committee," Potocnik said, adding that three finalists made the cut. 

Submission five's artist selected "the city's primary color drake" for the design of the Sutter Buttes carved out of a top circle. The artist stated, "Circles are a symbol of unity, which is important with a diverse community such as we have in Yuba."

The committee members’ positive feedback noted that they would be "interested in seeing this option with similar style and material lettering as the signage at Highway 20 and Stabler Lane."

Submission eight's artist selected the plinth, shaped like an arrowhead, with Sutter Butters sculpted into the top. The committee's feedback was while they "were impressed with the level of detail in the concept, including the egrets, waterfowl and local crops," there were "some concerns with the possibility of the top portion being too easy to damage or destroy.”

Lastly, submission nine, which also ties in existing city branding such as five, offered a "kind of unique" curve of the Feather River in the design, according to Potocnik.

"Some of the feedback was that the ad hoc committee liked the simplicity of the design incorporating the city branding and then wanting to include some lighting options," Potocnik said.

Submission five would cost $40,000, eight would cost $60,000 and nine would cost $30,000. The good news is that in 2023, Yuba received a $100,000 Sacramento Area Council of Government (SACOG) Community Design Grant.

Councilmember Wade said while he loved the diversity in the "different ages and backgrounds" of the finalists, he likes taking advantage of the Sacramento Area Council of Government grant most, especially after being constantly approached by residents who ask, "What is happening with the signs?"

When it comes to lighting up any sign submitted, Potocnik said, "These are local artists and a lot of the time young high school students," so "we did not require an extreme level of detail."

As for materials, Councilmember Pasquale noted the committee was concerned with what type to use, shying away from plastic and acrylic, which quickly deteriorates, as opposed to more durable materials such as metal and stone.

Kirchner said, "The idea is to utilize what is in the ground in those locations and integrate one of these designs.

If we are voting on it, I am going with nine."

Pasquale said, "From an aesthetic appeal, it would be eight," but for the simplicity, "it would probably be nine, with a little tweak on the welcome."

Mayor Harris also liked eight but said that at 60 MPH, it might be hard to read.

"It's really creative and really nice but you need time to appreciate it," according to the mayor, who said five wins for simplicity's sake and being in line with the current branding.

Vice-Mayor Dave Shaw said five wins since it can be two-sided, noting, "We want to welcome them in and thank them for coming."