Minutes - Public Works Committee - 04/18/2006

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purchase of sign making equipment in the amount of $20,000 to facilitate the production of these needed address signs as soon as possible; and (c) that staff identify and send notices to developers who are responsible for the installation of these signs pursuant to their development agreements with the City. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Elvig, Councilmembers Olson and Cook. Voting No: None. Case #4: Consider Penalties for Violations of the Sign Ordinance City Engineer Jankowski explained the general provisions section of Chapter 9.12 of the City Code prohibits all signs except those placed by governmental units within the public rights-of- way. The Public Works Department has been diligent in enforcing this provision of the ordinance and has been removing violating signs whenever such signs are discovered or reported. Removed signs are discarded; however the low cost of many of these signs causes the same type of violation to occur repeatedly. This effort causes an expenditure of Public Works staff time and resources and defeats the desired goal of maintaining the rights-of--way free of advertising signage. Mr. Jankowski stated staff feels that a progressive policy for dealing with repeated violations would have a positive effect on achieving the goal of maintaining the rights- of-way free of unauthorized signage. He reviewed the following suggested progressive system: First violation Phone call advising the sign owner of the City Code prohibiting signs in the rights of way. Second Violation A certified letter warning that placement of additional signs will result in penalties being assessed. Third Violation Issuing of citations for violation of the sign ordinance. City Engineer Jankowski stated staff is seeking input from the Committee on this proposal as well as the duration of the intervals between violations and amount of the fine to be assessed. He advised staff recommends that an amendment to the sign ordinance be developed with the assistance of the City Attorney to allow for progressive penalties for repeated violations of the placement of signs in the public rights-of--way. Councilmember Cook noted the last time this was discussed by the Committee it was determined that there should not be any exemptions from the ordinance. Councilmember Olson commented the signs that are left in these areas are almost a littering situation. She questioned what the fine would be for littering. Public Works Director Olson replied the littering fine could be $200. Mayor Gamec suggested real estate open house signs. could be posted the day of the open house, and removed that day. Motion by Chairperson Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to recommend to City Council that an amendment to the sign ordinance be developed with the assistance of the City Attorney to Public Works Committee / Apri118, 2006 Page 6 of 10