Updated logo, slogan for Red Oak approved

Final discussions have taken place regarding a roadwork project on Highway 34.
City administrator Brad Wright said the meeting included DOT representatives,  Dave Sturm with Snyder & Associates Engineering, and Dan Fricke from JEO consulting, which is coordinating the city’s levee recertification project.
Wright said the main focus of the meeting was to finalize what the project entailed, and determine if there was any impact to the levee. Wright said the impact was determined to be minimal.
“The project is set to go out for bid in December of 2023, with construction to begin in 2024,” Wright explained.
Wright said once the project was completed, it was going to be a big improvement for the city.
“The road will be four lanes primarily from Oak Street on Highway 48, east past Eastern Avenue. With a turn lane on each side, and traffic signals at the intersection. The traffic signals will become local ownership, and half of those lights will not be in the city limits, so that’s going to be a discussion that we’ll have to have with the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors as well. The DOT is also expecting to reach out to the county,” said Wright.
The council also approved a funding agreement for the Eastern Avenue reconstruction, with 80 percent of the project’s cost being paid through DOT funding.
The council then approved a resolution for the rebranding of the city of Red Oak, following a presentation on the subject by the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association. The rebranding was approved in part due to the fact that the visuals had been reviewed, and received positively by many residents and business entities in the City of Red Oak.
Under the terms of the resolution, the city would adopt the slogan and marketing tools presented in any and all applications applicable, thereby joining the ROCIA and its business members in adopting a unified community marketing image.
ROCIA director of membership and finance offered her praise to city administrator Brad Wright for his drafting of the resolution.
“I felt that the ordinance as written was very eloquent, and I express my appreciation,” Carlson said.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a resolution of support for the city’s participation in the Community Heart & Soul program. The council members were very positive in the city’s potential participation in the program.
• Approved a resolution setting the salary of cemetery superintendent Brad Baker.