Ask The Mayor

Q. - 1) Why do we have a garage sale sign ordinance? As tax payers we are paying an employee to drive around removing signs and writing tickets or giving warnings. Paying for gas, a truck, a salary (sometimes 2 people). Seems you could put our money to better use.

 

2) Why can't the city derive income by buying a permit & signs from the city to be controlled and place the ads on the city website instead of giving the income to the newspaper.

 

3) Why is it all right to put up learn to swim signs from the city and political signs? Just wondering!

 

Answer - Thanks for your inquiry.

 

1) Virtually all cities regulate garage sales as part of an effort to limit business activity and traffic in residential neighborhoods.

 

The garage sale signs are regulated by our sign ordinance. Residents are allowed one sign in their yard and up to three off-premise signs no larger than 2 square feet. The signs must be self supporting, have the address, and be placed on private property out of the public right-of-way. Signs are allowed to go out on Friday after 5 p.m. and must be picked up by Monday at 8 a.m.

 

The code enforcement officers are not generally driving around just to remove signs and to enforce the ordinance regulating garage sales. A great deal of the time they are responding to complaints made by citizens and they take care of other enforcement as they come onto violations.

 

2) The City does not sell any commercial advertising on its web site.

 

3) Political signs are covered by State Law and have few restrictions except maximum size and placement on private property as well. Public service signs can be up to 6 square feet. The "Learn to Swim" signs are advertising the City's summer swim lesson program at the City Pool. Signs advertising City sponsored events are permitted on City property.

 

Sincerely,

 

Hal Richards, Mayor