Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/17/2006

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Case #6 Temporary Signs in the Public Right of Way Public Works Supervisor Reimer reviewed that this case has been in front of the Public Works Committee before and this is a continuation of that process. Within the past year City staff was instructed to remove temporary signs from power poles, street signs etc. This was to be the first wave of enforcement and this went very well with no complaint from anyone who had erected signs in this manner. The second tier of enforcement was to remove signs from vision triangle, and anything in this triangle was removed. The most common violator of this area was real estate agents, but after some discussion they changed the location of their signs without too much negative feed back. Public Works Supervisor Reimer indicated the area staff would now like to discuss is the right-of way (ROW) in general After the storm last fall there were literally hundreds of signs advertising roofing, siding, window and clean-up contractors throughout the City. Most of these contractors purchase these signs knowing full well they will be picked up and thrown away at some point. Staff would like to discuss a possible fine of some type for these individuals. Public Works Director Kapler indicated an impact was made with the little bit of effort put into the real estate signs. The advertising signs are basically a throw-away sign. The City Administrator has suggested one letter be sent, followed by a fine. The fine would need to overcome the value of having illegal signs. He suggested a strong effort be placed on education, as that worked well with the real estate signs. Chairperson Elvig noted the fine would need to cover the cost of pulling the signs down and sending letters. Public Works Director Kapler suggested the first step involve a letter from the City without a fine, followed by a determination of compliance. The consensus of the Committee was to recommend that the City Council direct staff to stay aggressive in removing the signs, with the violators receiving a letter from the City. This procedure should be followed until June 1st, at which time the status of compliance should be reviewed. Public Works Director Kapler requested direction from the Committee regarding the placement of political signs in the right-of-way. He explained compliance on City right-of-ways last year was okay, but the situation becomes more difficult when the signs are placed on county right-of- ways. The consensus of the Committee was to recommend that the City Council direct staff to remove political signs in all right-of-ways, as is done with all sign placement throughout the City. Chairperson Elvig inquired about the situation with the monument sign for In-Tech on Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard. Public Works Committee / January 17, 2006 Page 10 of 14