The South Beloit City Council on Dec. 2 approved a one-year agreement with Municipal Code Enforcement to provide additional code-enforcement services and discussed possible changes to the sign ordinance aimed at “feather” or banner flags used by businesses.

The contract with Municipal Code Enforcement (Resolution 6574) will pay $49 per hour for up to 10 hours per week, with a contract term of Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2025, an auto-renewal clause and a 60-day termination provision. City staff and the city attorney told the council the agreement had been reviewed and found legally sufficient. Staff said the vendor will assist with notices of violation, training and on-the-ground consistency while the community development office seeks more permanent staffing.

Separately, staff presented a discussion item about commercial feather flags (tall, narrow banners sometimes placed in or near the public right of way). Staff described chronic noncompliance: property owners and businesses frequently place flags in the right of way, do not obtain permits and often leave them up year-round despite rules requiring flags be removed nightly and maintained. Staff said enforcement consumes substantial staff time and that downtown commercial areas have limited front-yard space that prevents many businesses from complying even if they wished to do so legally.

Staff presented two main options for council feedback: (1) amend the sign ordinance to prohibit commercial feather flags completely; or (2) amend the ordinance to set clear front-yard/side-yard setback rules and continue enforcing the permit/maintenance requirements. Several council members expressed frustration that the current rules are not followed and that repeated enforcement efforts are inefficient; some council members signaled support for prohibiting the flags outright, while others said they were open to refining setbacks so new businesses could temporarily use flags. The council asked staff to draft ordinance language and bring it back through the Planning and Zoning Commission and council review processes in January.