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purchase of sign making equipment in the amount of $20,000 to facilitate the prodnction of these <br />needed address signs as soon as possible; and (e) that staff identify and send notices to <br />developers who are responsible for the installation of these si~s pursuant to theh' development <br />agreements with the City. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Elvig, Councilmembers Olson and Cook. Voting No: <br />None. <br /> <br />Case #4: Consider Penalties for Violations of the Sign Ordinance <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski explained the general provisions section of Chapter 9.12 of the City <br />Code prohibits all signs except those placed by governmental units within the public rights-of- <br />way. The Public Works Department has been diligent in enforcing this provision of the <br />ordinance and has been removing violating signs whenever such signs are discovered or <br />reported. Removed signs are discarded; however the low cost of many of these signs causes the <br />same type of violation to occur repeatedly. This effort causes an expenditure of Public Works <br />staff time and resoumes and defeats the desired goal of maintaining the rights-ot'~way fi-ce of <br />advertising signage. Mr. Jankowski stated staff feels that a progressive policy for dealing with <br />repeated violations would have a positive effect on achieving the goal of maintaining the rights- <br />of-way free of unauthorlzed signage. He reviewed the following suggested progressive system: <br /> <br />First violation <br /> <br />Second Violation <br /> <br />Th/rd Violation <br /> <br />Phone call advising the s/gm owner of the City Code prohibiting <br />signs in the rights of way. <br />A certified letter warning that placement of additional signs will <br />result in penalties being assessed. <br />~ssuing of citations for_violation of the s/gm ordinance. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski stated staff is seeking input fi'om the Cormmitte¢ on tlt;s proposal as <br />well as the duration of the intervals between violations and amount of the fine to be assessed. He <br />advised stafit'reeomn~ends that an mnendment to rbe sign ordinance be developed with the <br />assistance of the City Attorney to allow for pro~-essive penalties tbr repeated violations of the <br />placement of signs in the public rights-of-way. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook noted the last time this was discussed by the Committee it was determined <br />that there shonld not be any exemptions fi'om the ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson commented the signs that are left in these areas are almost a littering <br />situation, She questioned what the fine woul~l be for litterJ ag. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson replied the littering fine could be $200. <br /> <br />Mayor Garner suggested real estate open house signs could be posted the day of the open house, <br />and removed that day. <br /> <br />Motion by Chairperson Elvig, sct3onded by Councilmen~ber Cook, to recommend to City Council <br />that an amendment to the sign ordinance be developed with the assistance of the City Attorney to <br /> <br /> Pul)lie Works Committee / April 18~ 2006 <br />-278- Page 6 of 10 <br /> <br /> <br />