Minutes - Public Works Committee - 11/21/2006

Home

Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Elvig, Councilmembers Olson and Jeffrey. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Cook. Case #2: Consider Penalties for Violations of the Sign Ordinance City Engineer Jankowski reviewed that 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 explained 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. Mr. Jankowski requested input from the Committee on the following progressive system included in the draft ordinance: ^ lst violation a written notice shall be given by registered mail ^ 2"d violation within a twelve month period a fine of $50 shall be imposed ^ 3ra and subsequent violations within a twelve month period a fine of $100 shall be imposed Chairperson Elvig asked if the current policy that was put into place to deal with violations is in need of a bigger stick to assist with enforcement. Public Works Director Olson responded in the affirmative. Chairperson Elvig questioned if the fee is collectible. Public Works Supervisor Reimer noted sprinkling ban violations are collected through the Water Department. Public. Works Director Olson indicated fees could be collected from businesses soliciting in the City, such as roofing and siding companies that need to pull permits. City Engineer Jankowski indicated one point of discussion should be whether the costs outlined in the draft ordinance are reasonable. Fire Chief Kapler has expressed concern on whether the fee level proposed would actually address the problem. It was suggested that administrative costs be recovered through the fees. Mr. Jankowski advised these fees maybe more difficult to administer than the sprinkling violations, because it is .known where to send the violation on sprinkling violations. Councilmember Jeffrey questioned how it will be determined who is at fault in situations where it is possible that a property owner moved a sign into the right-of--way when mowing the lawn. He noted the individual advertising on this sign may appeal that they placed the sign in the proper location. Public Works Committee /November 21, 2006 Page 4 of 8