Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signs And Billboards topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff recommends tighter controls, annual inspections and fee for billboards; council receives report
Summary
Staff presented an inventory and recommendations for off‑premise advertising signs, including removing three city‑owned signs from the cap, setting the overall cap at 81, pursuing termination of three city leases, and proposing an annual $100 inspection fee; council voted to receive and file the report.
City staff presented an update Sept. 23 on off‑premise advertising signs and recommended steps to improve oversight, inspection and aesthetics; the council unanimously received and filed the report.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Maz Perkins (and staff lead Leah) summarized the inventory work and policy options. Staff identified two additional sign locations not included in the 2019 inventory; they recommended adding one location requested by an inheriting property owner and classifying another as abandoned and not included in a revised cap. With staff recommendations the cap on off‑premise signs would be 81 (staff noted a math correction from earlier materials).
Staff recommended terminating three city leases with Adams Art Outdoors for city‑owned billboards, removing those from the cap to avoid a perception of unfair advantage, and encouraged the council to consider changes as part of a broader sign‑code overhaul currently under review by planning and zoning.
Perkins said there is a rationale to require an annual inspection and permit for off‑premise signs and suggested a $100 per‑sign fee to cover estimated inspection workload (estimated about two hours of staff time per sign per year). Electronic billboards would require additional verification from an independent electrician. Staff proposed a self‑inspection option for well‑maintained signs; self‑inspected signs would not be subject to the permit fee.
Council members asked timing questions about the broader sign‑ordinance project and about the process if the city terminated leases and removed signs; staff noted many existing billboards are legally nonconforming (grandfathered) and that removal would eliminate the nonconforming status and prevent replacement in the same spot without zoning changes.
Council member Euler moved to receive and file the staff report (item 25‑274); Council member Kelly seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
