Agenda - Council - 07/10/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember Look stated the official policy should be that no signs are allowed in the right - of -way, but the County and State can deal with it the way they are dealing with it. Staff should pick up signage when it is convenient to do so. He expressed concern with fining individuals for graduation party signs. City Attorney Goodrich inquired about returning the signs when requested. Councilmember Look replied he would recommend disposing of the signs. He pointed out the official policy needs to be that signs are not allowed in the right -of -way; however, there is the possibility of being the only community that disallows a directional sign for Parade of Homes. Public Works Director Olson explained as far as the role of Public Works staff, generally if they notice something that is completely obvious that is within the right -of -way it is removed. If there is a complaint staff will go out and measure, and if the sign is placed within the 15 foot right -of -way it is removed. There are seldom complaints about garage sale signs and they are generally not picked up. Parade of Homes happens on the weekends and staff is not around to pick up signage on the weekends. Councilmember Strommen stated signage should not be allowed in the right -of -way, and it also becomes a littering issue. She agrees with Councilmember Look about the appropriate response; she would not want someone with a graduation party to be fined. She pointed out there are businesses that expect their signs to be taken and the signs are made cheap. She suggested dealing with repeat offenders. City Attorney Goodrich advised it would not be recommended to remove some signs and allow others. Councilmember Strommen clarified she is not opposed to picking up all the signs if it is during a routine pickup, but would not be in support of someone being fined for a graduation party sign that was posted one foot into the right -of -way. Councilmember Dehen stated there are liability issues associated with allowing something to be in the right -of -way that can potentially be an obstruction, and with not, enforcing the ordinance that is in place. City Attorney Goodrich advised there would likely be a liability issue if the City knew about the sign and it was a particularly obnoxious size sign. Public Works Director Olson indicated staff removes signs that are brought to their attention or that they notice as a safety issue. Interim City Administrator Nelson indicated she hears there is support from four members of the Council that signs should not be allowed in the right -of -way. Public Works staff will work under this direction and pull signs located in the right -of -way. There will not be staff present to pull signs on the weekends. She requested direction on whether to discard the signs or allow individuals to pick up their signs. City Council Work Session / May 1, 2007 Page 4 of 16