03. Wayfinding Staff Report
Date of Meeting: September 23, 2025
For: EDA President Kronmiller, Board members, and members of the
Scandia Tourism Committee
From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator
Subject: Wayfinding and Review of Sign Ordinance
Background – June Report
The City’s inquiries into wayfinding signage began in 2022. The idea originated with the Tourism
Committee but never seriously progressed due to the MnDOT requirement that a Wayfinding Study
be completed before the City applies to install signs. The following documents about Wayfinding
are attached for your review.
1. TEM Engineering Manual – Community Wayfinding Sign Program
2. Manal on Uniform Traffic Control Devices – Wayfinding Signs
3. Bolton & Menk email on Wayfinding
4. Wayfinding Master Plan – Marshalltown, IA
As you review the Master Plan, note that some of this work has already begun with the City Center
Study. It may be worth asking Bolton & Menk how much more work would need to be completed.
I had remembered their original estimate of the cost of a Wayfinding Master Plan was between
$15,000 and $20,000. This was not the case, as their original email from August 2023 provided no
cost estimate for completing the Master Plan.
As we discussed at our last meeting, some of the Wayfinding Study work was completed during the
City Center Study. This work can be used towards the development of a Wayfinding Master Plan.
The attached proposal letter from Bolton & Menk states they can complete our Master Plan for a
not-to-exceed amount of $19,518. For reference, they recently completed a Master Plan for another
City from scratch, which cost that City $37,000.
The Scope of Services is outlined on page 2 of the proposal. It will need to be modified to also
coordinate with Washington County, as Olinda and Oakhill are county roads. Additionally, the City
Center Study has proposed sign concepts that, if adopted, could save the City costs related to Task
2B: Develop Layout Concepts.
This work is not in the 2025 budget. EDA funds could be used to pay for the work, or funds could
be allocated from several funds (EDA, General CIP, Public Works, Parks, etc.) so that no single
fund is adversely affected.
July Report
The Committee had several questions regarding wayfinding, such as, how long is the quote from
Bolton & Menk good for? What is the cost of installing the signs? How would the City pay for
them? The proposal from Bolton & Menk is good through the end of the year. If the City chooses
to wait until 2026 to complete the Master Plan, the cost will increase by no more than $800. The
cost of the signs will vary based on the material and size, and can really not be truly known until a
design is chosen during the completion of the Master Plan. Metal signs on metal posts would be the
most cost-effective option. Composite plastic or wood signs, similar to the park signs on decorative
posts, would be more expensive.
At the July 15 Council meeting, Federated Co-op asked the Council to reconsider the City’s ban on
dynamic signs. The council directed staff to investigate possible language changes and report back
at a later meeting. I have included the request from Federated for your review. I welcome your
input on this proposed ordinance change.
September Report
I continue to work with MnDOT to get answers to the Board questions. My latest inquiry has
produced two documents, which are attached. The first is MnDOT’s Community Wayfinding Sign
Program Guidelines, the second is the Minor Traffic Generator Sign Program, which is referenced
in the Wayfinding Sign Program Guidelines. The Wayfinding Sign Program Guidelines reveal the
following points of interest to the city.
1. Destinations or attractions must be key civic, cultural, visitor, recreational attractions, and
other destinations of general interest to tourists. No retail, business, or manufacturing
destinations are allowed.
2. Only destinations/attractions that qualify under MnDOT’s Minor Traffic Generator Signing
Program guidelines are eligible for signing.
3. The City or Town is responsible for the construction, installation, and maintenance of the
community wayfinding sign structures and sign panels at its own expense
4. Signing is allowed for left and right turning movements. Straight-ahead confirmatory signing
may be permitted in unique circumstances.
5. Roadway reconstruction and or installation of new regulatory warning, or guide signs may
necessitate relocation or removal of community destination signs by the City or town at its
own expense.
6. City pictograph may be displayed, symbols or business logos are prohibited
7. Up to three destinations/attractions may be displayed on a sign structure
8. 14 characters per line, including spaces, for each sign.
I am still seeking clarification from MnDOT on why payment to them is needed for the signs if the
City is responsible for their construction, installation, and maintenance. I have also not yet received
an answer to the question of how often the Master Plan can be updated. Number 5 above concerns
me in that MnDOT has plans to repave Hwy 97 in 2032; therefore, any sign installed along 97
between now and then may need to be relocated.