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'It EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: July 16, 2012 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Meagan Beekman, City Planner and Amy Dietl, Deputy City Clerk SUBJECT: Campaign Signs Background/Discussion With elections upon us, it is a good time to review the rules of election sign placement. Section 1230.01 Subd. 2 and Section 1250.03 Subd. 2, 3 and 4 of the City's Sign Code pertain to campaign signs (Attachment A). According to City Code, non commercial signs in an election year (campaign signs) may be placed in City rights-of-way (ROW). The City Code further stipulates that the campaign sign be placed with the permission of the property owner that shares a property line with the adjoining ROW where the sign is located. While specific setbacks are not outlined in the City Code, all signs must meet the clear vision regulation, which requires that nothing can materially impede sightlines at street intersections within a triangle with legs that are measured along the pavement of the road and extended 30 feet in each direction of the intersection. Nor can signs be placed in a manner that generally impedes the flow of traffic, or creates a hazard. In the last election year, Staff followed up on complaints about signs that were blocking sightlines or creating a hazard and asked property owners, or in some cases the campaigns themselves,to move the signs as necessary. The City Code also states that signs placed in Ramsey County or State ROW are subject to the regulations of those jurisdictions. The State and County do not allow signs to be placed in State and County ROW. MnDOT and the County usually enforce this,though the City can as well. Joseph Mansky, Ramsey County Elections Manager, provided a memo dated July 12, 2012 that outlines campaign signs in highway ROW (Attachment B). Minnesota Statute § 160.2715 (a)(10) provides that it is unlawful to paint, print, place or affix any campaign sign or advertisement within the limits of any highway. Mr. Mansky indicates that State and County City of Arden Hills July 16, 2012 Work Session Meeting Page 1 of 2