Okaloosa County BOCC — September 15, 2015 — Approve Public Transportation Colors, Logo, and Name — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: September 15, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Elliot Kampert SUBJECT: Approve Public Transportation Colors, Logo, and Name DEPARTMENT: Growth Management BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The County serves as the Community Transportation Coordinator, and the Board of County Commissioners has the final authority over the branding identity of the public transportation service. Therefore, it is necessary for the Board to approve any changes. BACKGROUND: The Board of County Commissioners has entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the cities of Ft Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, and Destin, along with the Town of Cinco Bayou, to enable the municipalities to have substantive input into the routes, stops, branding, and other operational matters pertaining to the public transportation system. The Transit Cooperative has met on several occasions, and in addition to discussing the more technical aspects of public transportation, has also discussed the need to provide a new brand identity for the system. The Cooperative also felt it was important that the branding of the transit system compliment other marketing efforts currently underway in Okaloosa County, and in particular the efforts of the Tourist Development Council. During its meeting of August 27, the Tourist Development Council discussed the branding of the transportation system with Ayan Uphadyay of Maruti Fleet and Management, and encouraged Mr. Uphadyay and the County to work closely with the TDC staff on the transit branding initiative, and gave its permission for the use of its new "wave" logo as part of a coordinated marketing and branding effort. Following the TDC meeting, the Transit Cooperative met on September 4 and discussed the branding effort, including colors, logo, and name for the system. After considerable discussion, the Cooperative unanimously approved the following recommendations for the Board of County Commissioner's consideration: 1. The TDC "wave" logo (attached), in the colors used by the TDC, should be affixed to the public transit vehicles in such a manner as to help establish a County-wide brand identity, and that its exact location would be placed as recommended by Maruti so as to provide the best combination of brand identity and opportunity for advertising sales. 2. Small decals of the seals of the Cooperative members should be placed near the entry doors of the vehicles so that riders will be made aware of the cross-jurisdictional nature of the service. 3. That the name of the service be changed from "Okaloosa County Transit" and "The Wave" to "the Emerald Coast Rider" which may be shortened to "E.C. Rider". OPTIONS: The Board of County Commissioners may accept or not accept the Cooperative's recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners accept the Transit Cooperatives recommendations regarding the decoration and branding of the public transportation vehicles and system. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator