The Port Orchard city council voted 5-2 for a Portland company to design signage, logos and branding for the city at the March 25 regular meeting.

The agreement is for Ambrosini Design to design wayfinding signs, city logos and develop marketing tools for $55,000.

Council members Jerry Childs and Cindy Lucarelli voted against the agreement.

Childs said originally during the 2014 budget process the amount for the project increased from $20,000 to $40,000.

He said that during the March 18 work study session that Development Director Nick Bond indicated the project needed $65,000 and that the company Bond was working with thought the city needed “rebranding.”

“I feel like it was becoming a runaway issue,” said Childs. “At first, I thought we were going to put some signs up for $20,000, then $40,000 and then rebranding. It has kind of taken a life of its own — at least for me.”

Child said he felt like the project should have been scaled down and put out for bid, along with a public hearing to gather the input of residents.

“I know our finances have improved over the past year,” said Childs. “I think this expenditure and how we’re going about it is bordering — for me — a little bit wasteful.”

Lucarelli said she was concerned with logos and rebranding being added to the original project.

“I feel we are putting the cart before the horse,” Lucarelli said. “I don’t feel we are ready to do that — supposedly we’re adding $15,000 for logo development and branding, after considering $40,000 for signage.”

Councilman Fred Chang said he understands the other council members’ reservations about approving the project, but feels a professional company can help guide the different stakeholders in the project.

“That is something I think that has been missing from our community because we didn’t have branding efforts through the Chamber and other stakeholders,” said Chang. “It was hard for them to get the weight behind it to succeed. I’m hoping with this service it will work for us.”

Councilwoman Bek Ashby said for the way inding sign system to work the city needs to include the branding element.

“I believe the branding element will allow us to do some things,” she said.

The council also unanimously approved a motion to repeal a city ordinance and allow the sale of ammunition by pawn shops.

City Attorney Greg Jacoby said state law regulates the sale of firearms and ammunition, but the city’s land use and zoning regulations dictates where the sales can occur.

In other action, the council approved:

• Agreement with N.L. Olson for final design and permitting of Bay Street Pathway Segment No. 4.

• Agreement with Department of Commerce to accept a $325,920 no-match grant for Bay Street Pathway Segment No. 4.

• Change order for $23,325 with Berger/Abam for required ECS/NEPA update and completion of SEPA/JARPA permitting.

• Agreement with Caseco Associates, Inc. for parking lot improvement at Van Zee Park for $27,707.

• Agreement for 7-month lease with South Kitsap Soccer Club for  part of Van Zee Park.

• Agreement with FloHawks Plumbing and Septic for on-call emergency pumping services.