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1 1 I Council Meeting Minutes October 22, 1991 Page 5 Council Business. continued Lynda MacDonald, 1503 Mississippi St, feels the ordinance is the sole issue and is tied directly to property values. public safety, peaceful neighborhoods and aesthetics. The ordinance could be amended to allow for personal opinion signs, if directed at a governing or political body. There are alternate channels for public opinion, such as the press, and Ms. Brayton should come to mediation to discuss alternatives. She feels the ordinance should be rewritten to reflect respect to content and larger setback requirements and then placed into the voter's hands. Deanna Brayton, 1540 Mississippi St., presented photographs of the signs. She feels the proposed ordinance is unconstitutional, and in violation of the First Amendment. A new ordinance should be written which does not prohibit number of signs, length of time, or content restriction. If it is not rewritten, she is prepared to go to a higher court and does not desire to mediate with Ms. MacDonald at this time. Don Cartwright, 2182 Lakebrook Drive, asked if a sign posted 365 days a year needs to abide to building codes. The sign resembles a bulletin board and asked if Ms. Brayton is violating the zoning code when she invites people into her home based upon the sign's contents. At one time, six signs covered the length of the neighborhood's entryway. LeFevere said the current ordinance does not place restrictions on the number of words. and the issue of whether the sign is considered a bulletin board is irrelevant. No matter how substantial a sign pounded into the ground would be, it is not considered a legal fixture. Mattila said the City Code defines a structure as possessing a frost footing. The ordinance states all signs must be constructed in a skillful manner, however, enforcement is difficult because a commercial sign varies greatly from a garage sale sign. A permit is required for a commercial sign with frost footings, but it is not inspected by the City. Rebelein said the photographs show the sign can not be seen or read from the roadway except from immediately in front of the house. Larson said the sign can be seen from inside of the MacDonald home. Benke added that the sign can be seen from the MacDonald's, but can not be read. Rebelein questioned what public purpose is served by an ordinance which allows a person to maintain an offensive sign directed only towards particular neighbors across the street. LeFevere said the current code does not restrict length of time a sign is in place, and inviting people into your home is considered free expression. Nancy Bina, 1321 Mississippi, feels an abundance of campaign signs does not give a better awareness to a voting public, nor does Ms. Brayton's opinion signs. She strongly objects to Ms. Brayton's public invitations into her residence to discuss her opinions. Council Business Amendment to Sign Ordinance Report 91-228