HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Letter from Ames Chamber of Commerce with suggestions for proposed ordinance Ames Chamber of Commerce .M. 111 A
July 22, 1998
Mayor and City Council .
City of Ames 2 3
515 Clark Avenue _
Ames, Iowa 50010 MF ;Pt
CIiY ' , IGWA
Dear Mayor and Council:
Steve Schainker sent us information last month on a possible ordinance which would prohibit the
use of mobile marquee signs or"spider" signs. After discussing this topic with the Chamber's
Local Issues Committee, we would offer the following suggestions.
• The current ordinance is very difficult for City staff to enforce since a change
in the message or a change in the location of the sign allows it to remain in
compliance.
• These signs should not be prohibited. Businesses need the ability to advertise
a sale if their current sign does not have a marquee feature.
• The ordinance should be changed to require a business to secure a license
which allows them to use a"spider sign" for a period of time like two to three
weeks. After this period has expired, the business would have to wait for a
month or so before another license could be obtained and the sign would be
removed during the waiting period.
We would be willing to further discuss this issue with City staff at their convenience. We
appreciate Bob Kindred and Brian O'Connell meeting with us to discuss "spider" signs.
Sincerely,
. ..e�LC,cc
Kevin Gis
Vice President
Governmental Affairs/Local Issues
cc: Ames Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
213 Duff Avenue • Ames, Iowa 50010 • (515) 232-2310 • FAX(515) 232-6746
web site: www.ames.ia.us e-mail:chamber@ames.net