WHAT HAPPENED: The council adopted the...

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council adopted the sign regulations ordinance that includes

criteria for internal neon signs.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The ordinance will amend the city’s current sign regulations. It

upholds the prohibition of external neon signs, allowing for only one

internal neon sign per business that is no larger than 3 square feet

and must be placed at least 4 feet from the window.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council approved a proposal to apply for a low-interest loan

from the State Revolving Loan Fund to finance sewer system

improvements over a four-year period.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city manager has been authorized to submit a 2003-04 fiscal

year loan application and appropriate $320,000 from the sewer fund

available balance to prepare the necessary environmental and bid

documents for the sewer system improvements. The city is currently on

the state’s priority list for $11 million and would qualify for a

loan at 2.6% interest. The project is expected to take place from

July 1, 2003, to June 20, 2004.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council heard a proposal to remove a private staircase and

landscaping that conflict with a sidewalk improvement project on Park

Avenue.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city will compensate three property owners who will need to

remove landscaping and other improvements located in the

public-right-of-way. City workers will be responsible for the

demolition and the property owners will work with Design Review to

replant landscaping that provided privacy from the road.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council heard a proposal to put utilities underground at

Harold Drive, Poplar Street, Lookout Drive, High Drive and Linden

Street.

WHAT IT MEANS:

City staff will ask utility companies to prepare design plans for

the proposed underground utility assessment district and solicit

proposals for assessment engineering and financial services for the

proposed underground district.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council approved a motion to continue a hearing on the repeal

of a municipal code section that prohibits candidates from accepting

contributions totaling more than $250 per election cycle from an

independent expenditure committee.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The matter will go before the council at its Oct. 15 meeting.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council heard a proposal to accept a $17,000 grant from the

state Office of Emergency Services planning grant for flood

mitigation.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city will accept the grant offer and make an application to

the Office of Emergency Services for a grant to prepare a flood

mitigation plan by the Oct. 31 deadline, and authorize $5,900 in city

matching funds for this project.