03/08/2000 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 3/8/2000 position of the city. However, it should be kept in mind that in 2002 and 2005, large amounts of debt will be paid off and large amounts of debt service get freed up. At that point in time, the city can actively get back into the infrastructure repair business. Roy Garland, 4576 Camellia, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said he protested the removal of the 180-day sunset provision in the sign code legislation. It is his opinion that businesses were adversely affected because of the previous sign code. He asked Council to reconsider this provision as he believes the sign code should be reviewed to come up with something that is meaningful for everyone in the city. Mr. Gareau commented that it seemed to him that the reason for the six-month provision was either (a) we don't trust ourselves or (b) the Chamber of Commerce does not trust us to go back and revisit the issue. It now appears that the latter would be the case. Actually, there is an agreement by Council that they will be happy to sit down, whether it be at the public hearing, a third reading, at a BZD meeting or at some other time and have a discussion about the Chamber's concerns. Although it was not mandatory, Council has already incorporated nine recommendations made by the Chamber of Commerce into the proposed code. There is no reason to believe, if the Chamber has some other legitimate issues to be discussed, that Council will not discuss those issues. However, there are problems with the six month provision because Council and Planning Commission will each take a month vacation during that time period and it takes a month for the law to go into effect. That would mean everything would have to be in place within ninety days, and that would include three readings and a public hearing. It is not enough time. Mr. Garland said the Chamber would like to bring in national experts to discuss the sign code. Mr. Gareau said it would be fine with him to have a dialogue on any suggestions that Mr. Garland might have. Law Director Gareau commented that Mr. Garland is presuming that the city has not dealt with national experts with respect to the sign code. As a matter of fact, we have. We now have a working outline. This is not rocket science--we're talking about putting signs in front of buildings so that people can read them and that the signs are on lots that basically have a 50 foot setback. If the Chamber feels there are issues that are absolutely critical and need to be revised before steps are taken to enact the code, then their sign experts should makes comments that can be addressed at the public hearing. Mr. Nashar noted that a BZD meeting and a public hearing would be held to discuss the sign code. Also, business owners who have safety concerns regarding certain signs can apply for a variance through the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. O'Grady commented that, although the six-month sunset provision was removed, it is absolutely Council's intent to have further discussions later this year. Mr. Miller said he wished to make a comment to Mr. Garland that did not relate to signs. He complimented the Service Department on its efforts to keep our business district, roads and sidewalks clean. Now that winter is over, he would like to see members of the Chamber of Commerce do a clean-up of their properties. He is especially concerned about the area of Great Northern Mall and Wal-Mart. Mr. Garland said he would relay the message to the members of the Chamber. Service Director Bohlmann commented that this week the Service Department had picked up about 100 bags of trash from Brookpark Road, Great Northern Boulevard and Country Club Boulevard. ~. <~, 7