HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-07 City Council Pre-Meeting Worksession Minutes
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Approved: October 29,2007
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
JULY 9, 2007; 6;00 P.M.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the City
Council Work Session meeting at 6:04 p.m.
Present:
Mayor Stan Harpstead, Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden,
Fran Holmes, and David McClung (arrived at 6:45 p.m.).
Absent:
None
Also present: City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Finance Director, Sue Iverson; City
Planner, James Lehnhoff; City Attorney, Jerry Filla; Community Development Director,
Karen Barton; Planner Commissioner, Clayton Larson; Planning Commissioner, Andy
Holewa; Planning Commissioner, Clayton Zimmerman; Planning Commission Chair,
Dave Sand; Planning Commissioner, Janet Stodola; Marvin Liszt, (Attorney for Clear
Channel); and Tom McCarver (Clear Channel Representative).
2. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a
motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried
unanimously (4-0). (Councilmember Holden was out ofthe room.)
3. AGENDA ITEMS
A. Clear Channel Electronic Billboard Presentation and Discussion
Mayor Harpstead introduced the topic and thanked Clear Channel for attending the
meeting.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - JULY 9, 2007
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Mayor Harpstead asked about the changes made to the sign. Mr. McCarver gave a
general overview noting that the sign face had been changed from vinyl to LED,
structural supports were added to the sign, and increased amperage was added.
Councilmember Holden asked about the weight and size difference between a traditional
vinyl sign face and the LED sign face.
Mr. McCarver responded that a vinyl sign face weighs about fifty pounds and is
approximately four inches thick; an LED sign face weighs about 9,000 to 10,000 pounds
and is approximately eight inches thick.
Councilmember Holden asked the Clear Channel representatives why they felt they didn't
need a sign permit from the City of Arden Hills to replace the billboard face. Mr.
McCarver responded that he felt a permit wasn't needed since they weren't doing a
wholesale rebuild of the support. Mr. McCarver stated that they did obtain an electrical
permit, however.
Councilmember Grant asked how the sign was controlled and changed. Mr. McCarver
stated that it is controlled wirelessly by computers.
Planning Commissioner Larson inquired about the illumination intensity monitoring and
what standards are used. Mr. McCarver stated that a computer on the sign monitors the
intensity and that there are no standards for these types of signs.
Councilmember Holmes asked about the changes to the revenues received by Clear
Channel resulting from the sign face change. Mr. Liszt stated that was confidential
information.
Mayor Harpstead inquired as to the property tax value; does the new billboard have
property value that should be taxed?
Councilmember McClung arrived at 6:45 pm.
Mayor Harpstead inquired as to the type of lighting on the LED. Mr. McCarver stated
that the light on an LED is contained within the face and an LED casts less lumens than a
static sign.
Dave Sand asked Mr. Liszt about the dynamic sign face and what standards were used to
determine how often the sign could change. Mr. Liszt stated that Mn/DOT had issued a
memo stating that signs should change no more than every six seconds for safety. Mr.
Liszt stated that the Clear Channel signs change no more than every eight seconds. Mr.
Liszt further stated that billboards are protected under the Highway Beautification Act.
Councilmember Holmes asked Mr. Liszt if this was a State Statute. Mr. Liszt stated it
was not.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -JULY 9, 2007
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City Attorney Filla stated that State Statutes allow cities to be more restrictive m
regulating billboards and signage.
Councilmember Holmes noted that the Highway Beautification Act protected billboards
as they existed at the time and didn't contemplate these kinds of signs.
Mr. Liszt and Mr. McCarver left at 6:45 pm.
Council and the Planning Commissioners continued discussions with City Attorney Filla.
Mr. Filla gave Council three options to consider:
1. Let the appeal process play out with the Planning Commission and City Council;
2. Look at Minnetonka's ordinance and change Arden Hills' to make the sign legal;
3. Reach some sort of compromise with Clear Channel.
Council elected to let the appeal process play out.
- Michelle A. Wolfe
City Administrator