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04-B Task Force Min 10-16-07 MINUTES WORK SESSION CITY COUNCIL TASK FORCE ON CODE ENFORCEMENT 107 E. KAUFMAN STREET PARIS, TEXAS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2007 1. The City Council Task Force on Code Enforcement was called to order by Don Wilson. A. The following members were present: Don Wilson, Chairman Steve Brown Will Biard Bruce Frazier Oscar Johnson Jim Lassiter Don B. Taylor Charles Richards John S. House Cheryt Moore Zachary Saffle Charles Fulbright Bee Garmon B. The following members were absent: Jerome Pipkins Chris Brown ' Marilyn Bellevance Pete Kampfer C. Also present was Lisa Wright, Director of Community Development; Kent McIlyar, City Attorney; Kevin Carruth, City Manager; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Todd Varner, Code Enforcement Officer; Robert Talley, Code Enforcement Officer; Rick Hundley, Building Official; John Lestock, Assistant City Attorney/Municipal Court Prosecutor; John Brunson, Assistant Public Works Director; V ance Woodard, Fire Marshall; and Matt Birch, Police Officer. 2. Approval of minutes from previous meetings. Charles Richards referred the Committee to page two, paragraph two and stated the removal time should be 30 days. Subject to the correction, a Motion to approve the minutes was made by Jim Lassister and seconded by Don Taylor. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Discussion of and possible action on recommending revisions to the Sign Ordinance as it relates to electronic signs, billboards, and other off-premise advertising. As requested by City Council, Chairman Wilson advised the Committee they would be discussing and making recommendations on this item as it related to the electronic signs. He stated that review of the other signs would require a lot of additional time and would be reviewed at a later date. Lisa Wright showed a video depicting sign issues and their effect on cities. Chairman Wilson cited the sign issues as being color; brightness; and the length oftime an image is held including simple text and animation. Mr. Wilson said he had spoken with a sign company representative and learned that the average time was ten seconds. Gary Forrest with Forrest Signs asked if the sign on the loop is what started the restrictions on the signs. Chairman Wilson said it was not and went on to say that someone wanted to install a large animated sign. Mr. Forrest asked if current signs would be grandfathered. Chairman Wilson said the size could be grandfathered, but that the length of time, scrolling, brightness and animation would be restricted as outlined in the ordinance. Gary Forrest wanted to know why there was a need to regulate the signs. Cheryt Moore said Paris did not need to take on the appearance of Las Vegas. Bruce Frazier asked for an explanation of what the State was proposing in way ofregulating SIgnS. Lisa Wright reported the Texas Department of Transportation was proposing the following: a. Electronic signs may be located on either side of the highway; however, each sign must only be visible from one direction of travel; b. Each message on an electronic sign shall be displayed for at least eight seconds and a change of message shall be accomplished within two seconds; c. A change of message must occur simultaneously on the entire sign face; and d. An electronic sign may not include more than 20 different displays per cycle, excluding emergency displays and public service announcements. A Motion to limit the message to eight seconds, that the change of message take place within two seconds and eliminate drop-ins was made by Charles Richards and seconded by Don Taylor and Jim Lassiter. There was additional discussion regarding time and temperature. Charles Richards amended his Motion to include an exception to the regulation would be that the temperature could be displayed every three seconds. Don Taylor seconded the Motion. Motion carried unanimously. There was brief discussion between the Committee and Barbara Onstott, Vice President of Marketing for Datatronic Control, Inc. with regard to the size of the signs. A Motion was made by Oscar Johnson to allow signs up to a maximum size of32 square feet on Loop 286 and signs up to a maximum 10 square feet in the other areas. The Motion was seconded by Charles Fulbright. Motion carried unanimously. Next Chairman Wilson directed the Committee's attention to the height of the signs. Lisa Wright suggested a maximum of twelve feet on ground signs and allowance of pole signs only on Loop 286 with a maximum allowance of thirty feet. After further discussion of the height, Bee Garmon made a Motion that a the height of a ground sign be limited to a maximum of 8 feet above grade and Don Taylor seconded the Motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Committee also discussed the height of ground signs on Loop 286. Cheryt Moore made a Motion to limit the height of ground signs to a maximum of 12 feet above grade and Jim Lassister seconded the Motion. Motion carried unanimously. Lisa Wright asked the Committee to consider prohibition of the signs in the Historic District. Bee Garmon made a Motion to prohibit electronic signs in the Historic District and Don Taylor seconded the Motion. Motion carried unanimously. It was a consensus of the Committee to not regulate the color of the signs. Next, the Committee discussed brightness of signs. Will Biard said he had a problem with the definition of "reasonable person standard" and thought they should be more specific. Chairman Wilson suggested defining the standard as 5,000 NITS. Barbara Onstott said if the sign worked properly the brightness would not be a problem, because the signs are self-adjusting. Kent McIlyar pointed out that the State recommended "no electronic sign shall be illuminated to an intensity which causes glare or brightness to a degree that could constitute a hazard or nuisance to a motor vehicle operator on a public roadway." A Motion to approve the State's recommendation was made by Bee Garmon and seconded by Bruce Frazier and Charles Richards. Motion carried unanimously. In addition, the Committee discussed the electricity of the electronic signs. A Motion that underground electrical service be required was made by Charles Richards and seconded by Don Taylor. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Discussion of and possible action on recommending provisions regulating outdoor storage. Chairman Wilson stated that the Committee had been in session for two hours and they would discuss outdoor storage at their next meeting. 5. Receipt of report from the Code Enforcement Education Committee. Chairman Wilson said they would receive the report at their next meeting. 6. Request items for future agendas. Chairman Wilson scheduled the next meeting for Tuesday, October 30th at 5:00 p.m. 7. Adjournment. There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Zach Saffle and seconded by Oscar Johnson. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.