Title
Staff Report for Resolution Repealing and Reenacting Title 1, Chapter 8 of the San Leandro Administrative Code Regarding the City's Banner Policy
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that Title 1, Chapter 8 of the San Leandro Administrative Code, the City's Banner Policy, be repealed and reenacted to incorporate changes to permit commercial interests to place decorative banners on City streets in celebration of a special milestone, award or other accomplishment.
BACKGROUND
The City's original Banner Policy was adopted into the Administrative Code in 1998. At that time, commercial interests were prohibited from installing decorative banners on City streets, except as a minor part of a banner announcing an event or program by a non-profit organization.
In an effort to celebrate a local business's accomplishment, such as a milestone anniversary of business in San Leandro, or receipt of an outstanding award or other accomplishment, it is recommended that the Administrative Code be amended to permit commercial interests to install celebratory banners on City streets. Any commercial interest desiring to install such decorative banners would be fully responsible for all costs associated with design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of their banners. Permission for the installations and approval of banner designs by the City Manager would be required.
These celebratory banners would be in addition to or in place of the City's existing banners and would be attached to existing utility poles along City streets, just as the Welcome and other design banners are in place now. The only banners that would not be replaced are those specifically designed for the downtown and for Bancroft Avenue, since those utility poles are shorter and would not accommodate the full street banners.
Additionally two other minor changes to the Banner Policy are recommended. For clarification, the title of these street banners would be changed from "pull down banners" to "decorative banners." Also, commercial interests and non-profit organizations would be required to provide a certificate of liability insurance, listing the City as also insured, for their banner installations. In the current Banner Policy, non-profits are not required to provide such liability insurance, potentially making the City wholly responsible for damages from failure of banners or installation equipment.
Committee Review and Actions
Presented to the City Council Rules and Communications Committee on April 24, 2012.
Permits and/or Variances Granted
The Engineering and Transportation Department currently manages all permits and permit fees associated with overhead banners placed over East 14th Street in the downtown area to announce special events or programs. That practice will not change. Additionally, the City's banner contractor, Sierra Installations, remains current with all encroachment permits required by the City and/or CalTrans for installation services.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the proposed changes to the Banner Policy, as has the Finance Director, and recommended changes have been made.
Fiscal Impacts
None. There will be no cost to the City to implement these changes to the Banner Policy.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
PREPARED BY: Jeff Kay, Administrative Analyst, City Manager's Office