The most significant topic was the selection of the centennial logo. The council had previously narrowed their choices to three designs but decided to expand the selection to include student submissions. This move was intended to encourage local school participation and recognize young artists. The council considered the logistics of having separate categories for adult and student submissions and debated whether to expand the public voting pool to five logos.

A member suggested using Survey Monkey for the voting process, raising concerns about ensuring only city residents could vote. Various methods to verify residency were proposed, such as requiring voters to provide their names or addresses. A consensus emerged on the importance of public engagement, with some members advocating for a public vote to generate excitement, while others preferred the council make the final decision to streamline the process. The final decision on the voting process remained unresolved, but the council agreed to maintain three original selections and possibly add a student submission as a fourth option.

The council also deliberated on promoting the logo contest through social media and press releases to ensure community awareness. The timeline for the voting process was proposed to be open until the day before the next meeting, with final results to be presented tentatively on the 16th.

Following the logo discussion, the council moved on to planning the centennial celebration events. They reviewed a comprehensive list of potential events, discussing their scope, goals, resources, costs, and budgeting. A proposal was made to gather citizen input on event ideas through an interactive workshop using index cards to organize and prioritize events.

Key events were proposed, such as a kickoff ceremony on February 7th, a golf cart parade, and a community yard sale. The council emphasized the importance of strategically scheduling events to avoid logistical challenges and resource constraints. Notable events included a Time Capsule preparation and a fundraising flea market-style yard sale, which would allow residents to sell items and generate revenue for the city. The logistics of centralized locations for yard sales and individual home sales were considered.

The timeline also included significant events like a Johnny Cash concert on February 15th, historical walking tours starting February 17th, and an art and photography contest. The main parade was scheduled for May 10th, with additional discussions on coordinating the golf cart parade without causing scheduling conflicts. The council also proposed a fishing tournament on April 26th, which might feature a dunk tank event to engage the community and raise funds.

Further discussions included a light show and projection mapping event on May 9th, possibly paired with a food truck night and drone fireworks. A bicycle event was proposed for May 10th, followed by a community brunch for Mother’s Day on May 11th. The Mayor’s Ball and Centennial parade were set for May 16th, with a Centennial picnic and family fun day slated for May 18th. The council considered aligning the picnic with the parade to consolidate events.

The need for public input was stressed, with a suggestion to compile a list of proposed events for feedback. The council debated presenting the information in either a timeline or calendar format, with some members favoring a linear timeline for clarity. The next meeting would involve vetting the event list with public input and finalizing the logo and event procedures for presentation to the council.

In addition to event planning, the council discussed replacing a previously scheduled pet event with a business expo to generate excitement and revenue. The idea of hosting a small business expo was proposed, with potential venues including City Hall. There were concerns about timing, particularly with upcoming elections potentially distracting from event promotion.

Lastly, the council addressed the importance of marketing and soliciting sponsors. A member proposed setting up a fundraising booth at community events, with plans for activities like photos with Santa and the Grinch in December and pumpkin-related events in November. The establishment of a sponsorship account for managing event funds was also discussed, with a line item of $40,000 set aside for July 4th celebrations.

The meeting concluded with discussions on old business, including the need for members to join various committees. Proposals to allow non-residents to participate were met with positive responses, and several audience members expressed interest in joining the committee.