PACKET 7 15 2025 website 2

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Agenda Item 
XI. G.  Installation of Banners at Veterans Park 
 
Councilmember Sherlin: “ Install Flag Poles and Veteran Flags along trail at 
Veterans Park that was approved by the Council more than a year ago.” 
 
Overview 
Councilmember Sherlin requested discussion regarding the installation of poles for veteran 
banners. This matter was previously reviewed during the October 9, 2023 Work Session and 
was formally approved by City Council at the October 17, 2023 R egular Session (Minutes 
attached). However, despite the approval, the installation was ultimately not carried out due to 
significant controversy surrounding the project  and lack of written details . This discussion is 
intended to revisit the issue and consider potential next steps. 
 
Following discussion during the July 7, 2025 work session, the consensus was to place this item 
on the July 15, 2025 regular session agenda under New Business for further discussion.  
 
Since July 7, 2025, staff has developed a city -sponsored program consisting of acquiring 
decorative 12- foot-high metal poles bolted to a concrete pad  with hanger attachments, 
determining pole location, and cost of pole installation performed by a private contractor using 
the city’s established purchasing policies. In addition to the poles, the banners would be 18 x 36 
inch double-sided all-weather banners  showing an individual ’s photo, name, rank, military 
branch, dates served, and logo of military branch. This program would be similar to the brick 
program whereby the Parks & Recreation Dept. would market this program through social 
media, McMinn County Veteran Services
, American Legion, VFW, and other interested 
organizations. Interested parties would pay the city $50 per double-sided banner, provide all the 
information for the banner as needed, and the city would install the banners for one year. After 
one year, the banners would be returned to their original owner. Estimated costs are below: 
 
• Pole/Hanger Cost: $625 each x 20 poles = $12,500 (each pole would have two banners for a total of 
40 banners) 
• Pole Installation (20) by Private Contractor: $7,500 
• Total One-Time Pole and Installation Cost: $20,000 
 
• 18 x 36 Inch All-Weather Banner Cost (double sided): $25 each 
 
Attached is a graphic of Veterans Park and pole/banner locations and banner template. 
 
Action to Consider 
Motion, second, and majority vote are needed to  begin this new city program and fund all 
necessary costs. This project was not budgeted.  
 
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