More discussion on selecting a design for wayfinding signs and logo for Port Orchard will happen in the near future.

The council voted 5-2 to delay discussion on the signs until the next work study session on Nov. 18. Because the council will be working on next year’s budget and no work study session planned for December, council may not get to the issue until January.

Councilmembers Bek Ashby and Fred Chang opposed the delay.

During the Oct. 28 council meeting, three logo options, which included designs and color schemes, were presented by Ray Ambrosini of Ambrosini Design Ltd., of Portland.

But Councilwoman Cindy Lucarelli doesn’t think any of the three logo designs “fit Port Orchard” and are “very modern.”

“When I look at it, I think international airport,” she said. “I think large new area, new shopping area. I don’t see historic in this and these are going to be ‘wayfinding’ signs to our historic downtown.”

Lucarelli told Development Director Nick Bond that she is not opposed to the designs, but “it’s not appropriate for Port Orchard.”

She also asked Bond if the company that designed the signs also creates signs.

“And if so do they look any different or is this his trademark?” Lucarelli asked. “Have you ever seen any work that looks any different than this?”

She noted when the committee — which Lucarelli also served on — created the design regulations for the Downtown Overlay District to keep downtown “looking a certain way.”

“I don’t think the signs meet the criteria of the DOD design regulations,” Lucarelli said. “They’re cool, but I don’t think they’re Port Orchard.”

She said the designs and color scheme were not acceptable.

“I don’t see Port Orchard as a gray, cloudy, dark place,” she said. “I think that is what we want to get away from.”

Councilman Jerry Childs said during the Oct. 28 meeting, it was stated the council would have two weeks to look at the designs.

“Tonight we’re talking about the procedure,” he said. “What you’re requesting seems like we are getting ahead of ourselves because we still haven’t given our thoughts about what we think overall.”

“It is potentially getting ahead of ourselves if the thought is that this needs to go back and be reworked or some other alternative,” Bond said. “But per the contract, in terms of getting to a deliverable, the consultant worked with the committee that was appointed to come up with the alternatives.

Bond said coming up with a new concept is not in the consultant’s contract. He also noted the contract ends at the end of the year and that the consultants still has about six more weeks of work to decide placement and content on the signs.

Lucarelli added there are no wood elements in the three designs.

“We made a whole list of materials we would like to see in our development,” she said. “I don’t see that reflected in these decisions which I am disappointed in — to be quite honest.”

Ashby, who was part of the wayfinding sign committee, said the group went through many iterations and pages.

“I personally like them,” she said. “I enjoy all three of them. To me they say Port Orchard. I don’t see them as modern. I see them as marine or more mariner.”

Other members of the wayfinding sign committee were Bond, Mayor Tim Matthes, Public Works Director Mark Dorsey, Chris Stansberry, Trish Tierney, Amy Miller and Gary Johnson.

Chang said the shape of the elements could be changed, but liked the blue colors used in some of the designs.

Ashby said the consultant was “conscience of each element” and how it would weather in the local climate, along with cost of fabrication.

“It doesn’t go with the lights that have been chosen for downtown which are all painted green,” Lucarelli said.

“The benches are green. How does this fit in what we actually have already?”

Lucarelli suggested the design should be put out on social media for public comment.

Matthes told the council if want to go another direction with the sign, more money would be needed in the budget.

“We’ve spent a lot of the budgeted money to get this far with these three options,” Matthes said.

“That’s sad, I think, actually,” remarked Lucarelli.

“But it’s a fact,” Matthes replied.

Childs asked Bond if the $55,000 that was budgeted was for design and construction, or just design.

Bond said the consultants work used up about half of the $55,000 contract. He said $40,000 was allotted to arrive at a final design and $15,000 was for preparing plans to where the signs should be placed. Bids would be accepted to create and install the signs.

Councilman Rob Putaansuu was excused from the meeting because of a work schedule conflict.