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~.,~y of <br /> <br />River <br /> <br />Memorandum <br /> <br />ITEl4 5.1. <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING <br />AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 <br /> <br />SUBJECT: RECONSTRUCTED BILLBOARDS <br /> <br />During a severe wind storm on July 1, 1997, twelve billboards or off-premise <br />advertising structures blew down. The damage to each of these signs was <br />photographed and a "redtag' indicating a permit is required prior to <br />reconstruction of the structure was attached. The majority of the damaged <br />billboards are on east Highway 10 and are non-conforming due to their <br />proximity to other billboards on the same side of the highway. <br /> <br />City staff also mailed notice of the status of these signs to the companies who <br />own them. Since these actions were taken, seven of these non-conforming <br />signs have been put back up without permits, in violation of the redtag and <br />contrary to the sign ordinance that requires them to be on a mono-pole and <br />without proper spacing. In other words, the sign companies are fiat out <br />ignoring the city. <br /> <br />Attached is a summary of the legal process provided by the City Attorney. If <br />the city takes a stand to keep these non-conforming sign down, the billboard <br />companies will likely contest our effort to enforce the city code provisions <br />they have violated. <br /> <br />Such a legal battle could become involved and costly. Staff does feel it is a <br />battle we should fight, both because the sign companies ignored the rules and <br />also to clean up the east Highway 10 corridor. <br /> <br />Staff request a vote of the City Council to determine whether we pursue legal <br />action against these sign companies. <br /> <br /> \\elkriverXsys\shrdoc\b&z\stever\ccbilbo.doc <br /> <br />13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 553~0 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 <br /> <br /> <br />