Minutes - Council - 10/14/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City sent letters to the various sign companies advising them that a billboard damaged by more than 50% of the sign market value could not be repaired. Subsequent to this, an attorney representing one of the affected sign companies brought to the City's attention a June 25, 1997 Court Order issued by a Tenth Judicial District Judge interpreting the City of Cottage Grove's non-conforming use ordinance language which is very similar to Ramsey's Code. The Court reasoned that since the market value of the sign in question was $60,000 - $65,000 and the cost of its replacement less than $7,000, the sign should be allowed to be repaired since the damage is less than 50% of its fair market value. The City of Cottage Grove is appealing the Court Order. Motion by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to direct staff to notify the affected sign companies and/or landowners and advise them of the current court interpretation of the City Code and that based on each individual circumstance, the City will consider permitting billboard reconstruction and that the City Attorney is directed to develop an amendment to the City Code's non-conforming use text in order to eliminate the "market value" issue in the future. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Haas Steffen, Beyer, Beahen and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Mayor Gamec recessed the regular City Council meeting at 9:15 p.m. Mayor Gamec reconvened the regular City Council meeting at 9:25 p.m. Case #10: Consideration of No Wake Ordinance on Rum River Zoning Administrator Frolik reported that the City of Andover is wondering if the Ramsey City Council is interested in entering into a joint powers agreement to establish certain areas (five sensitive areas noted) or the entire length of the Rum River as "no wake" zones. Signage would have to be installed and the cost would be shared between the cities. In preliminary discussions with Andover staff, it appears that approximately 10 buoys at a cost of $100 each would be required to post the no wake regulation, regardless if it is the whole river or just the five sensitive areas identified. Enforcement of the no wake regulations would be handled by the water division of the Anoka County Sheriff's Department at no additional cost to the City. Motion by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to direct City staff to coordinate the establishment of no-wake zone(s) on the entire Rum River. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Haas Steffen, Beyer, Beahen and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Scott Newman, 16411 Dysprosium Street NW, Ramsey, felt that the Rum is so shallow that you can't go very fast anyway. He felt that the Council should look at the problem areas but to blanket the entire river is inappropriate. He asked to be given a chance for input and Council informed him there will be a public hearing prior to action taken. City Council/October 14, 1997 Page 11 of 15