HomeMy WebLinkAboutA006 - Motion approving revisions to City's Street Banner PolicyITEM #:7
DATE:09-09-25
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:MODIFICATIONS TO THE CITY'S STREET BANNER POLICY
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The City's Banner Policy serves to protect public safety, protect City property, establish
guidelines for the use of banner hardware, and guarantee a certain level of aesthetic quality.
The policy was last modified in March 2024. Further review of the policy was prompted by
replacement of street light poles along University Boulevard between Lincoln Way and
Mortensen Road. The new poles require banners with different dimensions than the previous
poles. Additionally, several applicants for Banner Permits in the Downtown area have
requested the option for longer display periods when no other displays are scheduled.
A copy of the modified banner policy is attached. In addition to minor revisions and
corrections, substantive changes are made to:
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University Boulevard – Lincoln Way to Mortensen Road
The boundaries of this banner display area were revised to reflect current practice
for banner placement. Previously, the banners were allowed on University
Boulevard from Lincoln Way to Highway 30.
Organizations may display a banner over Main Street at the intersection with Kellogg
Avenue for up to fourteen (14) days at a time. Applicants can request a conditional
extension for a total display duration of up to three (3) months. These requests can be
approved on the condition that any new requests for display submitted during the
conditional extension period automatically override the extension.
The display duration was standardized to a 14-day guaranteed period year-round
with the added option for applicants to request a conditional extension in the case
that conflicting requests for display are not submitted.
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Requests for banner displays are coordinated with the Ames Regional Economic
Alliance (515-232-2310).
This section was revised to reflect the renaming of the Ames Regional Economic
Alliance.
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Banner Size: 7’ x 2.5’; Sewn Banner Sizes: 7’ x 2.5’ (84” x 30”)
New poles were recently installed along this section of University Boulevard, and
the banner sizes were revised to fit the new poles.
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Requests for banner displays are coordinated with the Ames Regional Economic
Alliance (515-232-2310).
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This section was revised to reflect the renaming of the Ames Regional Economic
Alliance.
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Length of use: 14 days. Conditional extensions can be requested for a total display
duration of up to 3 months. These extensions can be approved on the condition that any
new requests for display submitted during the conditional extension period automatically
override the extension.
The display duration was standardized to a 14-day limit year-round with the added
option for applicants to request a conditional extension in the case that conflicting
requests for display are not submitted.
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Length of use: 14 days. Conditional extensions can be requested for a total display
duration of up to 3 months. These extensions can be approved on the condition that any
new requests for display submitted during the conditional extension period automatically
override the extension.
The display duration was standardized to a 14-day limit year-round with the added
option for applicants to request a conditional extension in the case that conflicting
requests for display are not submitted.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the revised Street Banner Policy as attached, including revisions to the size of
banners for displays on University Boulevard between Lincoln Way and Mortensen Road
and the duration of displays in the Downtown area, as well as the other corrections and
clarifications detailed above.
2. Direct staff to modify the proposed changes to the Banner Policy.
3. Do not approve the revised Street Banner Policy as attached.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
These changes are needed to revise the size of banners displayed on new street light
poles on University Boulevard between Lincoln Way and Mortensen Road and to
provide for longer displays in the Downtown area when no other displays are
scheduled, as well as to update other provisions of the Banner Policy. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, thereby
approving the revised Street Banner Policy.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Banner Policy 2025.pdf
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The City of Ames Street Banner Policy is for regulating all banners to be placed in
the following locations: Campustown, Downtown, University Boulevard - Lincoln
Way to Mortensen Road, University Boulevard - ISU Research Park, South Duff
Avenue, and Main Street.
Requests for Display
Applications for permits to display banners may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office
or the City of Ames website (http://www.cityofames.org), and should be submitted to the
City Clerk's Office. Reservations will be considered no earlier than one year prior to the
first day of the month in which the display is desired (e.g. the earliest a request for June
10 display may be accepted is June 1 of the previous year).
Permits will be issued by the City Clerk's Office. In the event that display date requests
conflict and cannot be resolved through the primary organization, the City Manager's
Designee will attempt to mediate an agreement. If necessary, a final appeal for
resolution may be made to the City Council.
Length of Display
There is no time limit on pole banner displays.
Organizations may display a banner over Main Street at the intersection with Kellogg
Avenue for up to fourteen (14) days at a time. Applicants can request a conditional
extension of the 14-day limit for a total display duration of up to three (3) months. These
requests can be approved on the condition that any new requests for display submitted
during the conditional extension period automatically override the extension.
Organizations may display a banner on the bollards located on Main Street at the
intersections of Douglas, Kellogg, Burnett, and/or Clark for up to fourteen (14) days prior
to and including the day and/or days of a special event approved by the City of Ames.
Insurance
Applicants and installers shall provide certificates of insurance evidencing general
liability coverage in the amount of $500,000 combined single limit and naming the City
of Ames and its employees and assigns as additional insured (with endorsement
naming political subdivision).
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Installation & Removal
Permit holders shall be responsible for coordinating installation and removal of banners
by insured installers, with the following exception: Banners may be installed on poles
and the bollards in the Main Street Cultural District by adult volunteers workin g on
behalf of the District.
Methods of installation shall conform with instructions provided by the City of Ames.
Traffic control measures shall be employed as needed. Permit holders shall be
responsible for the cost of repairing any damage done to banner hardware, light poles,
bollards, landscaping or grass in medians and parking areas.
Banners shall be removed on or before the permit expiration date.
Maintenance of Hardware
Routine maintenance of hardware on University Boulevard - Lincoln Way to
Mortensen Road poles will be managed by Iowa State University. Problems should be
reported to Iowa State's Facilities Planning and Management Service Desk at 515 -294-
5100.
Routine maintenance of hardware on University Boulevard - ISU Research Park
poles will be managed by ISU Research Park. Problems should be reported to the
Operations Manager at 515-296-0735.
Routine maintenance of bollards located on Main Street will be managed by the City's
Public Works Department. Problems should be reported to 515 -239-5160.
Routine maintenance of hardware in all other locations will be managed by the City's
Electric Services Department. Problems should be reported to 515-239-5500.
Maintenance of Banners
Problems with banners on display will be reported to permit holders. Corrective action
shall be made within 24 hours of notification. The City of Ames reserves the right to
immediately remove banners and/or revoke permits if any hazard is deemed present.
Costs that may be incurred for the removal of banners by City staff shall be charged to
permit holders.
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Prioritization
Banner permits will generally be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. See
supplemental information pages for prioritization standards specific to poles on
University Boulevard.
Content & Design
The overhead banner on Main Street shall be utilized only to advertise or announce
particular civic, political, religious, fraternal, or other non-profit activities.
The bollard banners on Main Street and the banner space at the east end of Main
Street shall be utilized only to advertise or announce activities occurring within the Main
Street Cultural District.
Pole banners are intended to celebrate and/or promote the Ames/ISU community or
specific local events. Sponsorship recognition, if any, must be restricted to the lower
15% of banners designed for poles.
All banners shall be non-offensive.
Disclaimer
The City of Ames does not assume responsibility for damage to all types of banners.
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CAMPUSTOWN POLE BANNERS
Requests for banner displays are coordinated with the Ames Regional Economic
Alliance (515-232-2310).
Total Number of Banners: 37 (1 banner/pole)
Welch Avenue – 22
Lincoln Way – 12
Minimum number to be used per application: 21
Banner Size: 5' by 2.5' (60" x 30")
Note: Banner brackets should be double-checked and re-measured (preferably by the
manufacturer) before orders are placed. These mounting brackets are moveable and
also susceptible to rotation or wrenching by high winds.
Banner Construction: Banners should have rod pockets or tabs that slide onto the
banner arm. There is nothing that secures the banner to the arms or the pole.
Applicants may consult with manufacturers about a means of securing banners more
tightly to the fixtures.
Method of Installation: Slide banner rod pockets onto bracket arms.
Traffic control measures must be followed. Guidance for traffic control for temporary
work zones and short duration mobile operations can be found in the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) at the Federal Highway Administration =s
website (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009r1r2.htm). Part 6, Temporary Traffic
Control, should be reviewed and special attention should be given to Chapter 6G for
mobile or short duration operations. Any additional questions about work zones may be
directed to the City of Ames Traffic Engineer at 515-239-5275.
Length of season: Year-round
Length of use: Unlimited
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DOWNTOWN POLES (MAIN ST., FIFTH ST., SIXTH ST., CLARK AVE., KELLOGG
AVE., BURNETT AVE., DOUGLAS AVE.)
Requests for display are coordinated with the Main Street Cultural District (515 -233-
3472).
Total Number of Banners: 191 (1 banner/pole)
Main Street - 62
Fifth Street - 42
Sixth Street - 54
Clark Avenue - 4
Kellogg Avenue - 15
Burnett Avenue - 10
Douglas Avenue - 4
Minimum Number to be used per application:
Main Street - 20
Fifth Street - 14
Sixth Street - 18
(Main Street Cultural District banners, artistic banners, and seasonal banners are
usually displayed on every third pole in the Central Business District. When requests to
use the hardware for other displays are approved, seasonal banners are removed first
and artistic banners second.)
Banner Size: 4' high by 22" wide
Sewn Banner Sizes: approximately 49.25" high and 22" wide with 3.25@ rod pockets
Note: Mounting brackets can shift, and should be double -checked and re-measured
(preferably by the manufacturer) before orders are placed!
Method of Installation:
Remove the wire retaining clip holding the ball at the end of the rod; remove the ball
from the rod.
Remove seasonal banner; slide new banner onto rod.
Replace ball to the end of the rod and secure with the wire retaining clip.
Traffic control measures must be followed. Guidance for traffic control for temporary
work zones and short duration mobile operations can be found in the Manual on
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Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) at the Federal Highway Administration ’s
website (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009r1r2.htm). Part 6, Temporary Traffic
Control, should be reviewed and special attention should be given to Chapter 6G for
mobile or short duration operations. Any additional questions about work zones may be
directed to the City of Ames Traffic Engineer at 515-239-5275.
Note: The lower banner arm is 11 feet above the base of all utility poles, but some poles
are mounted on top of two-foot brick pedestals.
Length of season: Year-round
Length of use: Unlimited
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UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD - LINCOLN WAY TO MORTENSEN ROAD
Iowa State University is the primary user of poles along this section of University
Boulevard, and requests for display are coordinated with the Director of University
Marketing (515-294-3134).
Total Number of Banners: 74 (34 poles with double brackets; 6 poles with single
brackets)
Minimum number to be used per application: 70
(Two different designs may be used to provide a full complement of banners.)
Banner Size: 7' x 2.5'
Sewn Banner Sizes: 7' x 2.5' (84" x 30") laid flat, with 3" rod pockets
Grommets should be installed on one side of the banner so it may be secured to the
light pole.
Method of Installation:
Traffic control measures must be followed. Guidance for traffic control for temporary
work zones and short duration mobile operations can be found in the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) at the Federal Highway Administration =s
website (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009r1r2.htm). Part 6, Temporary Traffic
Control, should be reviewed and special attention should be given to Chapter 6G for
mobile or short duration operations. Any additional questions about work zones may be
directed to the City of Ames Traffic Engineer at 515-239-5275.
Length of Season: Year round
Length of Use: Unlimited
Prioritization:
1) Major multi-day events with community-wide involvement (e.g. Iowa Games)
2) General community or ISU promotions and events (Ames High Homecoming)
3) Other major events and conferences (e.g. Order of the Arrow Conference)
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Note: Iowa State University purchases the University Boulevard banner hardware and
donates it to the City of Ames. Iowa State's Office of Facilities Planning and
Management maintains, repairs and installs banner hardware when necessary. It also is
responsible for installing and removing banners on this roadway. The Office of
University Marketing is responsible for scheduling displays and arranging for the
installation/removal of banners.
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UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD - ISU RESEARCH PARK
ISU Research Park is the primary user of poles along this section of University
Boulevard, and requests for display are coordinated with the ISU Research Park
Operations Manager (515-296-0735).
Total Number of Banners: 49 (1 banner/pole)
20 (2 banner/pole)
Minimum number to be used per application: 44
(Two different designs may be used to provide a full complement of banners.)
Banner Size: 84” high x 30” wide, with the bottom of the banner at 10’ above grade
Method of Installation:
Traffic control measures must be followed. Guidance for traffic control for temporary
work zones and short duration mobile operations can be found in the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) at the Federal Highway Administration ’s
website (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009r1r2.htm). Part 6, Temporary Traffic
Control, should be reviewed and special attention should be given to Chapter 6G for
mobile or short duration operations. Any additional questions about work zones may be
directed to the City of Ames Traffic Engineer at 515-239-5275.
Length of Season: Year round
Length of Use: Unlimited
Note: ISU Research Park purchases the University Boulevard banner hardware and
donates it to the City of Ames. ISU Research Park arranges for Iowa State's Office of
Facilities Planning and Management to maintain, repair and install banner hardware
when necessary. It also is responsible for installing and removing banners on this
roadway. ISU Research Park is responsible for scheduling displays and arranging for
the installation/removal of banners by Facilities Planning and Management staff.
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SOUTH DUFF AVENUE
Requests for display are coordinated with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (515-
232-2310).
Total Number of Banners: 13 (1 banner/pole)
Minimum number to be used per application: 19
Banner Size: 8' high x 2.5' wide (96" x 30")
Note: These brackets are moveable and may be affected by high winds or ice loading.
Banner brackets should be double-checked and re-measured (preferably by the
manufacturer) before orders are placed.
Banner Construction: Banners should have rod pockets or tabs that slide onto the
banner arm. Manufacturers may suggest a means of securing banners to the hardware.
Method of Installation: Slide banner rod pockets onto bracket arms.
Traffic control measures must be followed. Guidance for traffic control for temporary
work zones and short duration mobile operations can be found in the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) at the Federal Highway Administration ’s
website (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009r1r2.htm). Part 6, Temporary Traffic
Control, should be reviewed and special attention should be given to Chapter 6G for
mobile or short duration operations. Any additional questions about work zones may be
directed to the City of Ames Traffic Engineer at 515-239-5275.
Length of Season: Year round
Length of use: Unlimited
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MAIN STREET OVERHEAD BANNER
Total Number of Banners: 1
Banner Size: Vertical height – 3 feet (33-34 inches when hemmed)
Horizontal length – 30 feet
Banner Construction: Banners shall be constructed of heavy-duty canvas or plastic
tarpaulin material or netting. Metal grommets shall be imbedded near each of the four
corners and along the top and bottom edges. The upper and lower edges should each
have at least six grommets. Wind-relief flaps approximately 6" by 6" in area shall be
evenly distributed throughout the banner. A minimum of one wind -relief flap per five
square feet of banner area is required.
Method of Installation: Banners shall be attached to the permanent cables and chains
with metal chains, threaded links and snap links. Corner connections must be capable
of carrying a 1000 lb. load; all others must carry a 500 lb. load. (Wire may not be used.)
Banners shall be secured via metal grommets as described above.
Length of Season: Year round
Length of use: 14 days. Conditional extensions can be requested for a total display
duration of up to 3 months. These extensions can be approved on the condition that any
new requests for display submitted during the conditional extension period automatically
override the extension.
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MAIN STREET BOLLARD BANNER
Requests for display are coordinated with the Main Street Cultural District (515 -232-
2310).
Total Number of Banners: 8
Douglas and Main – 2
Clark and Main – 2
Burnett and Main – 2
Kellogg and Main – 2
Banner Size: Vertical height – no more than 3 feet (36 inches when hemmed)
Horizontal length – 5 feet.
Banner Construction: Banners shall be constructed of heavy-duty canvas or plastic
tarpaulin material or netting. Metal grommets shall be imbedded near each of the four
corners.
Method of Installation: Banners shall be attached to the bollards with bungee cords to
the metal grommets on the four corners of the banners as described above.
Length of Season: Year round
Length of use: 14 days prior to and including the day and/or days of the special event
approved by the City of Ames.
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MAIN STREET - EAST END BANNER
Requests for display are coordinated with the Main Street Cultural District (515 -232-
2310).
Location Description: Banners in this location may be placed within the area bordered
by Duff Avenue to the west, the Union Pacific Railroad property to the south, East Main
Street to the north, and the Power Plant fence to the east. Banners shall not be placed
in a manner that interferes with pedestrians, traffic, railroad operations, or the visibility of
motor vehicle operators.
Total Number of Banners: 1
Banner Size: Vertical height – 4 feet (45-46 inches when hemmed)
Horizontal length – 10 feet
Banner Construction: Banners shall be constructed of heavy-duty canvas or plastic
tarpaulin material or netting. Metal grommets shall be embedded near each of the four
corners. Wind-relief flaps approximately 6" by 6" in area shall be evenly distributed
throughout the banner. A minimum of one wind-relief flap per five square feet of banner
area is required.
Method of Installation: Banners shall be attached to stakes with metal chains,
threaded links and snap links. Corner connections must be capable of carrying a 1000
lb. load; all others must carry a 500 lb. load. (Wire may not be used.) Banners shall be
secured via metal grommets as described above.
Length of Season: Year round
Length of use: 14 days. Conditional extensions can be requested for a total display
duration of up to 3 months. These extensions can be approved on the condition that any
new requests for display submitted during the conditional extension period automatically
override the extension.
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