Agenda Packets - 2006/05/08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council April 24, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 13 Mayor Marty stated that the first time the Ordinance was read and approved, County Highway 10 1 was removed because it was brought to the Council’s attention that there were enough land and 2 sites available without using County Highway 10. He explained the Ordinance was only 3 reconsidered to look into limiting the amount of billboards in the City, because it could end up 4 with several billboards. 5 6 Mayor Marty stressed that billboards need to be kept out of the corridor to achieve the boulevard 7 look. 8 9 Councilmember Thomas stated that the City is not done with the Medtronic project. She stated 10 this is about the Council doing its job. She stated if the Council pursues a concept of limitation 11 for sites that are appropriate for uses, the Council is not doing due diligence. She commented 12 that she feels a significant effort needs to be made to correct that. She indicated that the City 13 agreed to put up six billboards, and the City would find places to put them as a result of the 14 agreement with Clear Channel. She stressed that the City needs to stick to agreements that were 15 made in the past. 16 17 Councilmember Stigney stated the Council is not supposed to find sites, but rather provide 18 zoning on where the signs could go. He stated if Clear Channel is unable to negotiate site 19 locations, Medtronic agreed it would buy out two billboards in Phase 1, and the other two in 20 Phase 2. 21 22 Councilmember Stigney asked City Administrator Ulrich if adequate and ample space for the 23 billboard site locations have been provided by the City of Mounds View with the Ordinance as it 24 now reads. City Administrator Ulrich replied that if one looks strictly at the amount of space 25 available in the zones designated, there are areas where billboards can be located. He stated the 26 question is if they are acceptable with Clear Channel. He pointed out that the contract reads that 27 Clear Channel has the ultimate rejection authority, and can reject any location that the City 28 comes up with. He explained the City has to designate areas within the City. He stated that 29 based on footage, there are available sites. 30 31 City Attorney Riggs stated that the agreement with Clear Channel and Medtronic took many 32 months to finalize, and the agreement states that there is the ability of Clear Channel to reject 33 sites. He pointed out that the sites have to be workable. He stated there may be locations that a 34 sign may be able to be erected, but there may be no parties interested in doing that. He explained 35 the long term negotiations with both parties require the City to assist with where the signs can go 36 and where they are allowed in the City. He stated there are certain provisions that the City has to 37 fall back that are protections for the City, and some is open to discussion. He stated if there are 38 four sites approved and they are not workable, the City is not out of the woods. He explained it 39 is the Council’s policy and determination to decide where the signs go. He indicated Staff will 40 work with Medtronic and Clear Channel to see what locations work. He noted that City still has 41 more than 18 months to deal with the issue since there is a two year time period for the signs to 42 be moved. 43 44