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• FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES _4_ May 5, 2004 Consideration of enforcement action with regard to U S Bench (continued) Council member Talbot said the point is to lessen the visual clutter. When you come through Falcon Heights, it does get pastoral and bucolic. He agrees with Mayor Gehrz that this would be worth discussing in a workshop. He doesn't think that junking up the City with ads is the way to go. He has seen benches with memorials on them. He would be willing to lay this over for a time. Have a workshop. Get answers. He can envision a time when the City will have sturdy park benches. Administrator Worthington said that the company was given until May 11 to remove the benches. The City Council can delay enforcement of this date. Council member Lamb said that he thinks the City should take some time with this, but should have a date certain. Look at alternatives. In fairness to these people, they can't be expected to provide benches if there is no revenue stream. He is not prepared to make a decision tonight. i Look at this more extensively. Set some definite dates. The benches have been there a long time. The ordinance has been there a long time. We need to say the ordinance isn't really what we mean and repeal or modify it, or say it is what we mean and enforce it. Mayor Gehrz said that when the Council sets timeframes and limits, it must allow time to go through the Planning Commission process. City Administrator Worthington said that she would suggest no less than 90 days. Council member Lindstrom recommended a moratorium for about six months. This would allow enough time to research and go through the proper channels of the Planning Commission and would take it through the summer when the benches are used the most. Talbot moved that a moratorium of no more than six months be put in place with regard to the City's advertising code as it applies to bus benches. The City doesn't want any additional benches placed in the City, with the exception of a bench at 1666 Coffman. The Planning Commission will examine the ordinance as it specifically relates to advertising and bus benches and make recommendations to the City Council. The motion was unanimously approved. In response to a question from Mr. Brian Olson, Administrator Worthington said the ordinance banning advertising signs on benches has been in existence since 1985. Enforcement is complaint driven. A complaint was received from a resident and the City moved on it. 18