Agenda - Public Works Committee - 06/15/2004

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PW CASE: REVIEW POLICY ON PLACEMENT OF TEMPORARY SIGNS By: Leonard Linton, Civil Engineer Background: Temporary signs appear overnight and are usually in the right-of4way. Public Works crews have removed sig-ns in the right-of-way in the past as time allowed. This year is a presidential election Year and political signs will most likely start appearing soon. The topic of temporary signs has been brought up at a work session. Staff was asked to review the issue and bring forward a policy regarding temporary signs. Observations: Placement o~' temporary signs is permitted subject'to the conditions of City Code Chapter 9. The requirements include limitations on the size of the sign, the duration of placement and the location. The signs must be placed on private property and be removed in a timely manner after the event happens. The attached statement is written to address political signs. It could be expanded to include all temporary signs. Developing a written policy that is easily distributed will aid in the enforcement of the provision for NO SIGNS in the right-of-way. The City policy on political sign size is more restrictive than state law which is acceptable. The state allows 80 square feet whereas the City maximum is 32 square feet. The City is also more restrictive on the time allowed after the election, 7 days vs. 10 days. This is also acceptable. The state election law does not address location of the signs other than to restrict placement of signs within 100 feet of polling locations. Mn/DOT does address the placement' of signs. The May 10, 2004 news release from Mn/DOT regarding signs in the right-of-way is attached for reference. Mn/DOT routinely removes temporary signs in their right-of-ways. This policy as drafted addresses political signs. The policy could be modified to cover all temporary slams. Recommendation: Staff recommends adoption of the (political/all encompassing) sign policy. 49