CAMARILLO : City Approves $8,600 to Pay for New Sign

Despite fears of deep cuts in state funding, the Camarillo City Council voted Wednesday to spend more than $8,600 to replace a termite-infested wooden sign in front of City Hall.

The council voted 4 to 0 to take down its old sign, which went up when City Hall was built in 1976. The sign says City Hall, with the numbers 601 beneath, the address of the city’s administrative offices at 601 Carmen Drive.

“It’s ready to fall down and we need to replace it if we want to have a sign there,” said City Manager William Little.

Several council members said they had initially opposed the expense given the uncertainties of state-supplied revenue, but changed their minds when they learned the money had already been set aside in this year’s city budget.

“I’d hate to have that sign fall off,” Councilman Michael Morgan said. “We really wouldn’t look good as a city.”

The new sign, 11 feet by 3 feet, will be dark brown with ivory letters and internally lit and be made of termite-proof fiberglass, cement and metal.

Vital Signs of Ventura sent in the $8,628 bid, the lowest of four, which includes $1,948 for the city seal. Signature Signs of Newbury Park submitted the highest quote of $15,088.