Skagway committee sends staff-drafted fix to assembly after sign-code renumbering error made rules unenforceable

The Civic Affairs Committee voted on December 10 to direct staff to prepare a cleaned-up code fix after a clerk memo identified a typographical renumbering error that rendered parts of the sign regulations unenforceable.

Assemblymember Potter told the committee that General Code (the ordinance publisher) and the clerk’s office discovered the anomaly: a deleted subsection (C2) left a later subsection (C3) incorrectly numbered so that the code effectively referenced itself and created a circular cross-reference. Potter said the clerk’s office and the attorney had advised that the clerk cannot simply correct the published code without a formal ordinance change.

Assemblymember Henry moved ‘‘that we recommend to the assembly a cleaned up version done by staff, specific to C2 and C3 and all other such items’’ for Chapter 19.04; Assemblymember Kolodie seconded the motion. The committee voted by voice ‘‘aye’’ and the chair announced the motion carried.

Why it matters: Potter said the problem surfaced after the Historic District Commission and the permitting official flagged businesses with neon ‘‘open’’ signs; because of the renumbering error, the code lacked an enforceable prohibition as written. Committee members described the fix as ‘‘fun and easy’’ and asked staff to draft the corrected ordinance language and then submit it to the attorney and the assembly for formal approval.

What the committee directed: Staff was instructed to draft a corrected version of the relevant sections (renumbering and any necessary cross-reference fixes) and present that draft to the assembly for adoption. The committee recorded its recommendation to the assembly by a committee motion that passed on a unanimous voice vote.

(Reporting note: Direct quotations and meeting actions are drawn from the Civic Affairs meeting transcript.)