02-05-2007 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes February 5, 2007 Page 8 It was noted that the trucks hauling from Livonia Township come down to Elk River and use the 22Sth Avenue and TH 169 intersection. It was the consensus of the Council to have staff review the transportation issues, options for traffic to go north, and the times of day for operation. 6.2. Community Development Discussion with Scott Clark 1. Mr. Clark noted the rapid changing of billboards in the state due to the rapidly changing technology of billboards. He asked the Council for direction on this issue. Councilmember Gumphrey expressed safety concerns for traffic. He expressed concerns about the amount of information being flashed on the billboards. Councilmember Motin stated he is concerned that the billboards are allowed for a business purpose and then are being utilized for other purposes and not for the business. Mr. Beck stated the Council could pass a moratorium at tonight's meeting and come back at the next meeting with a more formal resolution for the moratorium. He stated the moratorium could be valid for up to one year. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO PUT A MORATORIUM ON THE RETROFITTING OF BILLBOARDS AND ON THE CONSTRUCTION/INSTALLATION OF NEW BILLBOARDS BUT TO ALLOW THE REPLACEMENT OF IN-KIND BILLBOARDS UNTIL FEBRUARY 20, 2007 WHEN A MORE FORMAL MORATORIUM RESOLUTION CAN BE ADOPTED. IN ADDITION, THE RESOLUTIOLN SHOULD INCORPORATE THE OPTION OF PLACING A MORATORIUM ON ON-PREMISE SIGNS AS DEFINED IN THE CITY'S SIGN ORDINANCE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 2. Mr. Clark asked the Council how they would like code enforcement issues handled. He stated the city could get Request for Proposals to have a company handle abatement issues. He stated it would be good to separate the code enforcement actions from the city. He stated staff could come back to Council with an informational memo listing the violations prior to acting on them. Staff would act on those listed in the memo unless the council requested that the violation be discussed at a council meeting. Mr. Beck stated it would be good to bring these to Council prior to acting on them. He stated this will make the Council aware of the issue as there have been concerns due to the sensitivity of some issues and costs. The Council concurred. Mr. Clark asked the Council if staff should be proactive or reactive on addressing code enforcement issues by either waiting for a complaint to come to them or by reporting violations they themselves see.