City Moves Closer to Forming Sign Ordinance Review Task Force

The moved closer to actualizing its promise of creating during its meeting Monday night.

With a 7-0 vote, the council approved staff recommendations on the scope of work to be undertaken, the task force's makeup and how the group would go about its business.

Staff recommended that the task force limit its view to looking at violations that were at the council's May 17 meeting.

Among those violations are temporary signs affixed to vehicles, flags, balloons, streamers and certain A-frame/portable signs.

As for the composition of the task force, staff recommended that it be comprised of a mix of governmental, civic and business representatives:

• Two city council members. Councilmen Peter Arellano and Dion Bracco have both volunteered to be those representatives.
• One planning commission member
• One real estate representative
• One member
• Four business representatives. Staff recommended including one from downtown, one from First Street, one from auto dealers and one "at large."
• Staff also recommended two community-at-large members to get a non-business perspective on the task force.

To help the task force meet its goals, staff recommended the following operating procedures be established:

• Council representatives to serve as chair and vice chair of the task force.
• A quorum of the task force is needed to conduct business. 
• All meetings are open to the public.
• Meetings to occur during evening hours.
• Meetings to be held at least monthly, more often if necessary, but no more often than every two weeks.
• Consensus of members encouraged, but majority of quorum required for action.
• No alternate members may participate, unless previously approved by the council.
• Task force to complete its assignment within six months of first meeting, unless extension authorized by council.

Membership for the task force will be determined through an application process, Mayor Al Pinheiro said.

Before the council gave the go-ahead to the staff's recommendations, councilman Dion Bracco asked that the one "at large" position be changed to furniture dealers since they are a large sector of the business community affected by the current sign ordinance.

His request was granted.

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