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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes August 16, 2022 Page 8 1 2 Commissioner Rude stated he supports permitting but no advertising. 3 4 Mr. Grittman stated some communities do not allow advertising, and other cities have done 5 away with the benches altogether. Benches are often donated by charitable organizations. He 6 added it is probable that all the benches will not be replaced if they are eliminated. 7 8 Chair Socha stated there is a public need to have the benches. She added, if they are 9 eliminated, a commitment from the City Council to fund more benches could be considered, 10 although that is beyond the purview of the Planning Commission. She noted she would 11 support a review of potential regulations, but with notification to the City Council that the 12 Planning Commission has discussed eliminating advertising signage on bus benches. The 13 Commission agreed. 14 15 Commissioner Rude stated the benches are basically billboards. He added he would like to 16 get more information regarding what other communities have done, including how they limit 17 advertising, where benches are allowed, and other requirements. 18 19 Commissioner Hendrickson stated other benches are supplemental and not required, but they 20 are beneficial to the community. She agreed they would look better without advertising. 21 Chair Socha agreed. 22 23 Chair Socha stated the Planning Commission could vote to table this issue pending further 24 information and forward the proposed language changes to the City Council along with a 25 review of the Planning Commission’s discussion. 26 27 There was consensus from the Planning Commissioners to advance the discussion to the City 28 Council with the precursor of the Planning Commission’s discussion. 29 30 Commissioner Hendrickson stated, under Section I, maintenance related to the structure itself 31 makes sense. However, removal of litter, snow and ice should fall on the owner of the right- 32 of-way, and not the owner of the bench. 33 34 Mr. Grittman stated the City would be ensuring that the bench owner is taking care of 35 maintenance of the bench, including accessibility and cleanliness, and that it does not become 36 a burden to City maintenance crews. 37 38 Commissioner Morita asked whether the proposed language is standard, so that bench owners 39 are familiar with it. Mr. Grittman confirmed the language was taken from a few different 40 cities. 41 42 Chair Socha stated Section 96.38b, Item 5, should read “hold harmless and indemnity 43 agreement”, to provide adequate protection for the City. The Commissioners agreed. 44