Council moves to allow promotional banners
By Lynn Zerschling lzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Tuesday, January 06, 2009
SIOUX CITY -- When the city hangs banners advertising Broadway shows, monster truck events or concerts from city buildings and skywalks, it's breaking the law.
Consequently, City Attorney Andrew Mai asked city lawmakers Monday to amend the city ordinance to allow the city to hang those promotional banners. The council gave first-round approval to the change, on a 3-1 vote.
Councilman Brent Hoffman cast the dissenting vote, with Mayor Mike Hobart and Councilmen Dave Ferris and Jim Rixner favoring the change. Councilman Aaron Rochester was out of town.
Mai said, "We have them all over town promoting the Orpheum (Theatre) and other events" at the Tyson Events Center. "This will provide an exception to allow the city to hang those banners."
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "I like them."
However, he voiced concern that the city was not treating businesses fairly who would like to hang banners advertising sales or other events. He cited a case involving Southern Hills Mall which, in 2006, asked the council to allow it to install wall-mounted banners on the outside of the JCPenney building. The mall wanted to lease that sign to businesses not located inside the mall.
Jeff Hanson, the city's planning and neighborhood services division manager, said the council approved that request with some restrictions.
"I don't think they ever exercised that right," he noted.
Councilman Brent Hoffman said it is not fair to exempt city-sponsored events and not allow private businesses to have the same right. Hanson said city ordinance does allow businesses to put up promotional banners for 30 days.
At next week's meeting, the council will vote on giving second- and final-round approval to the banner amendment.
Consequently, City Attorney Andrew Mai asked city lawmakers Monday to amend the city ordinance to allow the city to hang those promotional banners. The council gave first-round approval to the change, on a 3-1 vote.
Councilman Brent Hoffman cast the dissenting vote, with Mayor Mike Hobart and Councilmen Dave Ferris and Jim Rixner favoring the change. Councilman Aaron Rochester was out of town.
Mai said, "We have them all over town promoting the Orpheum (Theatre) and other events" at the Tyson Events Center. "This will provide an exception to allow the city to hang those banners."
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "I like them."
However, he voiced concern that the city was not treating businesses fairly who would like to hang banners advertising sales or other events. He cited a case involving Southern Hills Mall which, in 2006, asked the council to allow it to install wall-mounted banners on the outside of the JCPenney building. The mall wanted to lease that sign to businesses not located inside the mall.
Jeff Hanson, the city's planning and neighborhood services division manager, said the council approved that request with some restrictions.
"I don't think they ever exercised that right," he noted.
Councilman Brent Hoffman said it is not fair to exempt city-sponsored events and not allow private businesses to have the same right. Hanson said city ordinance does allow businesses to put up promotional banners for 30 days.
At next week's meeting, the council will vote on giving second- and final-round approval to the banner amendment.
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AS wrote on Jan 6, 2009 2:33 PM:
Tom L. wrote on Jan 6, 2009 1:03 PM:
Stuart wrote on Jan 6, 2009 5:58 AM: