HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 01 - Political Signs � � ���� � j � �
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MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
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FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER �->i
SCOTT WILLIAMS, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
SUBJECT: WORKSHOP-AM10-06-AMENDMENTS TO GRAPEVINE CODE
OF ORDINAIVCES SECTION 20-13.1 SIGNS ON RIGHTS-OF-
WAY,AND SECTION 20-39.12 RELATIVE TO POLITICAL SIGNS
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council to consider possible amendments to Grapevine Code of Ordinances, Section
20-13.1, Signs on rights-of-way and Section 20-39.12, relative to political signs and take
any necessary action.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIUN:
Due to some confusion during fihe last City Council election cycle,staff presented proposed
amendments at City Council workshop on August 17, 2010.
As currently worded, the ordinance allows temporary political signs to be piaced on the
right-of-way anly during the 17-da�period preceding the election or to coincide wi#h earl�
votinq. Since early voting does not necessarily coincide with 17 days prior to the election,
and to avoid any confusion in the future, the proposed amendments delete the 17-day
provision, and if approved,would only allow signs to be placed to coincide with early voting,
At the workshop, staff was asked to also clarify the requirements for temporary political
signs in the right-of-way in front af residences. Because the location and width of right-of-
way in front of single family residences is variable, and because, by ordinance residential
property owners are required to maintain the right-of-way in front of their homes, staff has
historically refrained from taking action on political signs in front of residential properties.
If City Council approves of these amendments, it will be brought to a future public hearing
for consideration.
R:IAGENDA\09-21-10�AM10-06.41.doc 9/15/2010 2:04:00 PM
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DRAFT
� ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
. GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, AMENDING THE GRAPEVINE CODE OF
ORDINANCES SECTION 20-13.1 S�GNS ON RIGHTS-OF-WAY,
REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY NOT TO
EXCEED TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2;000.00) FOR EACH
SEPARATE OFFENCE SHALL BE DEEMED COMMITTED
UPON EACH DAY DURING OR ON WHICH A VIOLATION
OCCURS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grapevine, Texas, deems it necessary
for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, or general welfare of tk�e City to
amend the Code of Ordinances to add additional regulations regarding political signs in
rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites and requirements for the passage of this
Ordinanae have been adhered to, including but not limited to the Open Meeting Act; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine City Council, deems the passage of this
ordinance is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE lT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: �
Section 1. That all matfers stated hereinabove are found to be true and correct
and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That Section 20-13.1, Signs on rights-of-way, Paragraph (c)(1) is
hereby amended by the addition of the following:
(1) Political siqns of a temporarv nature of not more than four square feet in a-r� area
may be placed in public riqhts-of-way in that portion of the City of Grapevine
represented bv a candidate for which a resident of Grapevine may vote. Said siqns mav
be placed in said riqhts-of-wav
e��Qt�^��ro E�r�^����" beqinninq on the first dav of the earlv votinq period, for
which they are posted and shall be removed within three days after the election.
Section 3. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not
to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense and a separate ofifer�se
shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or
continues.
0:1ZCU�AM 10-06.ord:doc
Section 4. All ordinances or any parts thereof in conflict with the terms of this
� ordinance shall be and hereby are deemed repealed and of no force or effect.
Section 5. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phase of this
ordinance shall for any reason be held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 6. The fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City of
Grapevine, Texas are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety, morals,
peace and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Grapevine, Texas, creates_an
emergency for the immediate preservation of the public business, property, health,
safety and general welfare of the public which requires that this ordinance shall become
effective from and after the date of its passage, and it is accordingly so ordained.
PASSED AND APPROVED .BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, on this the day of , 2010. ,
APPROVED:
ATTEST: �
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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