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City o,lI8ItInp City Council Minutes October 17, 2005 PIge20f5 18. Approve Agreement for Quiet Zone Study 19. Approve Agreement for Parle Design Services 20. Approve Employee Identification Badge Policy 21. Pay Estimate-HF AC Coping Stone Replacement: Kinematics, Inc. ($25,962.50) 22. Fire Department Consulting Services Proposal 6 Ayes, Nays, None. Copy of resolutions on file. Public Hearing-Ordinance Amendment #2005-44: Sign Ordinance Mayor Werner opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the proposed changes will clarify the length of time temporary banners and signs may be displayed, allow projecting signs as a permitted use in certain districts, and some housekeeping items to eliminate repetition and ensure proper references are included in the ordinance. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Werner closed the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Second ReadinglOrdinance Amendment-Ordinance Amendment #2005-44: Sign Ordinance There was discussion over defining the length of time that is meant by the term "temporary". This was decided to mean a total of90 days during any twelve month period. Moved by Councilmember Hicks, seconded by Councilmember Hazlet to approve the sign ordinance as amended. 6 Ayes, Nays, None. Copy of ordinance on file. Public Hearing-Ordinance Amendment: Utility Billing Mayor Werner opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Finance Director Stark stated that staff is recommending that the City Code be amended to require that property owners are billed for utility bills. Current practice allows for renters to be billed; if they leave a unit with an unpaid bill, the City has then tried to collect the bill from the property owner. The law is unclear whether this is legal or not, and the League of Minnesota Cities recommends the change that is being proposed. Kathy Pinker, who owns rental property, asked why the City could not just require a deposit to cover the cost if someone leaves without paying their bill. Donald Housberg, 316 West 4th Street, opposed the change. Don Benzick, who owns rental property, opposed the change, stating that the new language essentially removes responsibility from the renter. Dan Rooney, who owns rental property, requested that the billing be broken down per unit, which would require individual meters per unit. Mr. Rooney stated that he would not want to pay for that, and that the problem of renters skipping out on their bills is the City's problem, not a property owner's problem. Danette Allman, who owns rental property, asked when the ordinance amendment would become effective, in that she has leases that do not expire until late in 2006. This