04 Staff Report - Time Frame for Posting and Removing Political Signs
DATE: TO: FROM: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT JUNE 14, 2004 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL DEBRA 1. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER MEETING DATE: 6/21/04 ITEM NO. tf SUBJECT: ADOPTA RESOLUTION ESTABLISHINGA TIME
FRAME FOR POSTING AND REMOVING POLITICAL SIGNS DURING THE 2004 ELECTION CYCLE RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution establishing a time frame for posting and removing political signs during
the 2004 election period cycle (Attachment No.1). BACKGROUND: In May 2004, the Council Policy Committee discussed further clarifying the time periods for posting and removing political
signs. This initial policy discussion was intended to ensure a fair and equitable election process for all candidates while also minimizing the potential blight associated with a proliferation
of political signs. Based on the General Election Calendar established by the Santa Clara County Office of the Registrar ofVoters, the Committee recommended that all political signs
be first posted on the close of the extension period to declare candidacy and removed no later than ten (10) days following the date ofthe election. Town Code section 29.10.110(15) currently
states that no political sign should be erected ari umeasonable period oftime in advance ofan election and must be removed within ten (10) days after the election. To be fully enforceable,
any clarification of this requirement would require amending the sign provisions of the Town Code. PREPARED BY: Town Attorney . N:\MGR\AdminWorkFiles\cnclrpts\political.sign.tcr.wpd
JENNY AMA,() . Administrative Analyst Reviewed by:. Assistant Town Manager £TownAttorney.__Clerk__Finance _'_Community Development Revised:
6/17/04 4:30 pm Reformatted: 5/30/02
PAGE 2 . MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A POLITICAL SIGN POSTING AND REMOVAL PRACTICE DURING ELECTION PERIODS June 14, 2004 DISCUSSION: At the June 7,
2004 Council meeting, Council directed staff to (l) develop language to amend the signordinance for consideration at a future Council meeting, and (2) bring forward for consideration
the Council Policy Committee's suggested practice regarding the posting and removing of political signs for use in the 2004 election cycle. Attached for Council's consideration is a
resolution establishing apolitical sign posting and removal practice to be used during the forthcoming election cycle. This practice would be included in the municipal election materials
provided by the Town Clerk to election candidates. If the attached resolution is approved by Council, the practice would allow signs to be posted beginning August 11,2004, and removed
no later than November 12,2004. This practice would apply to all elections, including local, state, regional, and federal. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no anticipated fiscal impact associated
with the adoption of the attached resolution. Attachments: Attachment No.1: Resolution Establishing a time frame for posting and removing political signs during the·2004 election period
cycle.
RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ESTABLISHING A TIME FRAME FOR POSTING AND REMOVING POLITICAL SIGNS DURING THE 2004 ELECTION CYCLE WHEREAS, political
signs are considered a common communication tool used during the election process; WHEREAS, Town Code section 29.10.110(15) currently states that no political sign should be erected
an unreasonable period oftime in advance of an election and must be removed within ten (10) days after the election; WHEREAS, political signs are generally temporary in nature and made
of paper and other similar materials that deteriorate rapidly so that early posting and lateremoval of political signs can result in an unsightly blight on the community; and WHEREAS,
a time frame for posting and removing political signs should be communicated to ensure a fair election process, while minimizing blight. RESOLVED, that during the
2004 election cycle, political signs may be first posted beginning at the close of the extension period to declare candidacy, and shall be removed no later than ten (10) days following
the date of the election. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the Town Council of the Tovm of Los Gatos, California, held on the day , 2004 by the following vote: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SIGNED:MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA ATTEST: CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA ATTACHMENT 1 1