Proposed Golden Valley Logo Unveiled

Golden Valley has redesigned its website and created new email addresses for city employees, so why not "refresh" the city logo?

That was the argument from city staff members Tuesday night as they proposed the idea to the Golden Valley City Council and City Manager.

"It's difficult to use, it's outdated and it doesn't really reflect Golden Valley," Communications Coordinator Cheryl Weiler said of the current logo.

The city adopted the logo in 1994 and Weiler said some people have described it as "cold, industrial and stale." She said the current design also doesn't translate well to other mediums.

"It's not even used on our equipment, our vehicles…or in the council chambers or other places like that just because it's so difficult to work with," Weiler said.

So considering that the city needs to order updated business cards and letterheads, they felt now was the best time for a change. The proposed new logo (designed by city staff members at no additional cost) features "city of golden valley" in lowercase type next to the city's trademark swoosh design, also known as the "worm."

"I don't feel this is something the council needs to be immensely involved in," said Council Member Mike Freiberg. "I don't think you want me personally involved in this because I'm color blind and can barely match my socks."

Council Member Bob Shaffer had a different opinion about the proposed new logo.

"Just the design, there's some parts that bother me about it," he said. "When I read it, I see 'city of golden' and then 'valley' as separate."

Council members ultimately directed city staff to make changes to the proposed design and show them the results at a later date.

Also at the council/manager meeting:

Rainwater Collection Devices

Council members did not favor a plan to amend a city ordinance related to rainwater collection devices. The proposed plan would have defined rainwater collection devices to include rain barrels and rain "bladders." The plan also would have allowed property owners to install one rainwater collection device per gutter downspout.

Council members said the ordinance would really only affect one property in the city and that making a change "wouldn't accomplish anything."

Residential Fence Permit Fee

Meanwhile, council members considered an idea to require residents who want to build a fence to buy a permit. The average cost of similar permits in other cities around the metro is $30.58.

The council decided to discuss the idea at a later meeting.

Paperless Council Agendas

The council plans to go paperless.

Golden Valley spends $2,880 a year to print five agendas for the mayor and council. To save money on printing, the city will provide laptops for council members to receive their agendas via email.

Up for debate was whether the mayor and council would receive netbooks with 10.1" screens (at a total cost of $1,450 for five), or laptops with 15.6" screens (at a total cost of $2,425 for five).

Council members showed favoritism toward the larger screens because some felt they wouldn't be able to read the material on the smaller-sized screens.

City staff members will also consider drafting an etiquette ordinance for the computers so council members won't browse the internet during meetings.

The switch to paperless council agendas will happen sometime in early 2011, said Golden Valley Mayor Linda Loomis.