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Council weighs safety, equity and cost of nonprofit banners on utility poles
Summary
Council discussed about 11 nonprofit banners currently hung on utility power poles; staff warned of uninsured liability and estimated installation costs near $465 per event for a crew; council asked staff to return with formal policy options including fees, insurance and consistent eligibility rules.
Council held an extended policy discussion on March 10 about nonprofit banners that utilities have hung on downtown power poles. Staff reported approximately 11 banners currently in rotation and said the city has not historically charged for installs; a crew of four is needed and the memo estimated about two hours to install and two hours to remove, with an all-in cost (vehicle and labor) in the staff memo near $465 per banner event.
Council members split on direction. Some members said the banners provide valued downtown character and community messaging; others raised equity and precedent concerns about selecting which groups can use city infrastructure. City legal and risk staff warned that policy formalization should require proof of insurance or a mechanism to shift liability away from the city because the city’s current insurance may not cover a banner that detaches and damages property or people.
Council did not adopt a final policy but asked staff to return with options that would include consistent eligibility rules, cost-recovery fees or a process that would require insurance or hold-harmless agreements for applicants.
Speakers and staff who addressed the banner discussion appear in the speaker list below.
