Wednesday, September 03, 2008
News
Owosso council discusses lighted signs
By NATHAN BRUTTELL Argus-Press Staff Writer
OWOSSO - The City Council assured residents the city would not resemble Las Vegas anytime soon.
After hearing concerns from residents about the use of LED signs, the council listened to presentations about the current sign ordinance.
City building official John Archer and Mark Agnew of Agnew Graphics, Signs and Promotions each gave presentations on the sign ordinance.
“Two years ago we worked with the city to develop a sign ordinance,” Agnew said.
He added “every time a sign goes up” it must meet requirements in the ordinance and be approved by Archer.
“I don't hate the signs,” resident Cindy Popovitch said to the council. “I just wanted to know how they fit into the vision of the downtown area.”
Popovitch also expressed concerns about residents being distracted by the signs and causing accidents.
Agnew said LED signs are not allowed to contain certain features to help promote the safety of residents.
Department of Public Safety Director Mike Compeau said he wasn't aware of any accidents in relation to LED signs in the city.
n In other business, the City Council agreed to close some downtown streets for the Mid-Michigan Custom Car Show Sept. 14. The 100 and 200 blocks of North Washington Street and Exchange Street from Water Street to Park Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
n A local group will not organize a petition to change the burning ordinance in Owosso.
“I'm expecting you to make the right decision,” Citizens for Clean Air representative Lorraine Weckwert said to the council Tuesday. “No, this will not go away and we will not go away.”
Mayor Michael Bruff reminded the council any decision on the burning ordinance could be made at any time.
“(The city council) always has the option to act on that ordinance,” Bruff said.
The council voted in August to add a $50 fine on all first offenses to the burning ordinance.
Compeau said the Department of Public Safety would have a report on burning citations issued in August at the next meeting.
n City Manager Joe Fivas said he planned to offer a proposal making changes to the city's water billing process that would offer quarterly payments instead of monthly. He said residents would still have the option to pay monthly, but that a change to quarterly would save the city money. The changeover would be made slowly to allow customers time to adjust, he said.
n Councilman Gary Martenis said he was working with Washington Elementary School to provide a neighborhood watch program for the area. He said he planned to make an announcement within the next month.
n The City Council listened to concerns regarding an alleyway between Lafayette and Hoyt streets. Martenis, Bruff and Fivas viewed the alley earlier in the week and agreed construction should be done. Fivas said the alley wasn't fixed earlier because the city overspent on the road budget after a severe winter. He said the project would remain a high priority, with repairs expected to begin in the spring.
- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com.
After hearing concerns from residents about the use of LED signs, the council listened to presentations about the current sign ordinance.
City building official John Archer and Mark Agnew of Agnew Graphics, Signs and Promotions each gave presentations on the sign ordinance.
“Two years ago we worked with the city to develop a sign ordinance,” Agnew said.
He added “every time a sign goes up” it must meet requirements in the ordinance and be approved by Archer.
“I don't hate the signs,” resident Cindy Popovitch said to the council. “I just wanted to know how they fit into the vision of the downtown area.”
Popovitch also expressed concerns about residents being distracted by the signs and causing accidents.
Agnew said LED signs are not allowed to contain certain features to help promote the safety of residents.
Department of Public Safety Director Mike Compeau said he wasn't aware of any accidents in relation to LED signs in the city.
n In other business, the City Council agreed to close some downtown streets for the Mid-Michigan Custom Car Show Sept. 14. The 100 and 200 blocks of North Washington Street and Exchange Street from Water Street to Park Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
n A local group will not organize a petition to change the burning ordinance in Owosso.
“I'm expecting you to make the right decision,” Citizens for Clean Air representative Lorraine Weckwert said to the council Tuesday. “No, this will not go away and we will not go away.”
Mayor Michael Bruff reminded the council any decision on the burning ordinance could be made at any time.
“(The city council) always has the option to act on that ordinance,” Bruff said.
The council voted in August to add a $50 fine on all first offenses to the burning ordinance.
Compeau said the Department of Public Safety would have a report on burning citations issued in August at the next meeting.
n City Manager Joe Fivas said he planned to offer a proposal making changes to the city's water billing process that would offer quarterly payments instead of monthly. He said residents would still have the option to pay monthly, but that a change to quarterly would save the city money. The changeover would be made slowly to allow customers time to adjust, he said.
n Councilman Gary Martenis said he was working with Washington Elementary School to provide a neighborhood watch program for the area. He said he planned to make an announcement within the next month.
n The City Council listened to concerns regarding an alleyway between Lafayette and Hoyt streets. Martenis, Bruff and Fivas viewed the alley earlier in the week and agreed construction should be done. Fivas said the alley wasn't fixed earlier because the city overspent on the road budget after a severe winter. He said the project would remain a high priority, with repairs expected to begin in the spring.
- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com.