St. Joseph council rejects $24,000 River Bluff Gateway wayfinding-signs contract

The St. Joseph City Council on Sept. 5 rejected a resolution to contract with Yellow Frog Graphics for three wayfinding signs — $24,000 total — after council members questioned whether the expense was an appropriate use of limited River Bluff Gateway funds.

Council discussion centered on equity for applicants and the cost per sign. An unidentified council member said the city has turned down other applicants for River Bluff funds because of census-tract eligibility, and asked how the council could justify spending $8,000 on a single sign. Another unnamed council member said, "$24,000 is a lot of money to spend on 3 signs," and suggested the city could instead spend funds on more visible improvements such as paint or a broader citywide signage effort.

The clerk read the resolution authorizing a revitalization agreement with Yellow Frog Graphics for design, fabrication, purchase and installation of three wayfinding signs as part of the River Bluff Gateway Project, not to exceed $24,000. After discussion the council voted; the clerk recorded, "Item number 21 fails with 9 votes."

The discussion raised fairness concerns from multiple council members who noted that other applicants were denied Gateway funding because their projects were not in an "appropriate census tract," making it difficult to reconcile approving this specific sign contract while other requests were rejected. No motion to table or amend the item was recorded in the transcript.

The council did not provide a substitute funding plan for the River Bluff Gateway Project during the meeting. The item failed on the council floor and will require a future action to return to the agenda if proponents wish to pursue a different funding approach.