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City Administrator Hagen replied there are two separate issues the City has been discussing. He <br /> stated it started with a lease with the billboard company which led to a need for an ordinance to <br /> allow billboards. He explained the ordinance is broad in nature and regulates any property along <br /> the Highway 10 corridor if adopted and identifies what will be allowed for billboards regarding <br /> location. He highlighted benefits to businesses, noting that anyone can advertise on it and it <br /> increases advertising ability, especially for businesses along The COR. He stated public service <br /> alerts could be posted and community events. He explained separate from that,which the Council <br /> has already supported, is a lease for a billboard on land owned by the City. Within that lease,there <br /> is more freedom to place additional requirements. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff commented that the ordinance does not include a requirement that <br /> any of the billboards have civil or City-based messaging. He stated at one point it was mentioned <br /> that was going to be included but has since been removed. He pointed out the differences between <br /> those in the ordinance and those on City-owned land. He highlighted that two included in the <br /> ordinance would have no direct fiscal benefit to the City but may benefit Ramsey businesses. He <br /> commented that he brought up the PUD because the golf course isn't zoned specifically as a <br /> residential area and the ordinance is written billboards are excluded in residential areas and the <br /> definition for PUDs is a little ambiguous that it could be possible. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove asked if that would be something Councilmember Woestehoff would <br /> want to add to the ordinance or not. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff replied he didn't support the ordinance but thought having a billboard <br /> next to the golf course distracting because of the open space but could imagine that being attracting <br /> for a business. He questioned the assumption that this is the solution to helping smaller Ramsey <br /> businesses be more visible and would buy advertising on the digital billboards or if they would be <br /> taken over by larger franchise chains. He stated he has never supported billboards in Ramsey <br /> because it pulls away from the small-town feel. <br /> Motion by Councilmember Specht, seconded by Councilmember Riley, to waive the City Charter <br /> requirement to read the ordinance aloud and adopt Ordinance #22-19 Amending Sign Code to <br /> allow off-premise digital billboards with the recommended changes to not allow them in the PUD <br /> zoned areas. <br /> Further discussion: <br /> Councilmember Riley answered Councilmember Musgrove's question on why the EDA started <br /> with this which was to help the local businesses in The COR that can't be seen to get their name <br /> out and advertise on Highway 10. He stated the EDA found that it wouldn't cost the City anything <br /> and could become a source of revenue. Councilmember Musgrove asked with the inclusion of the <br /> PUD and other limitations within the district, if they were being too limiting. Councilmember <br /> Woestehoff replied it wouldn't be too limiting because there is room on the far end but it does <br /> make it a little harder. <br /> Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Kuzma, Councilmembers Specht, Riley, Howell, and <br /> Musgrove. Voting No: Councilmember Woestehoff. <br /> City Council/June 28,2022 <br /> Page 6 of 9 <br />