Amador County – Jackson City Council on Monday directed staff to work on an ordinance to amend city sign code to conditionally exempt sign manufacturers.

Councilwoman Marilyn Lewis requested the Council “review the sign ordinance as it pertains to Merzlak Signs,” and the council focused on a section which limits the size of “noncommercial temporary” signs, “which is how political signs are classified in the city’s sign ordinance.”

City Manager Mike Daly said it has been a topic since October 2010. At that time, Thornton Consolo challenged the displaying of signs at Merzlak Signs. After the city revised its sign ordinance in March, he again brought up the issue.

Consolo was absent Monday, and Vice Mayor Connie Gonsalves said she was sorry this was not handled during the redrafting of the sign ordinance. She said: “This has been a pain in the neck every time there is an election, and I’m sorry the person that caused this is not here because I know we will have to hear about it again in public matters not on the agenda.”

Councilman Keith Sweet said the Planning Commission or the person complaining shouldn’t be “thrown under the bus.” He said the council may be as remiss as the individual who made the complaint.”

Paul Molinelli Senior said: “I think it was my sign that caused the problem two years ago.” He said it is a local shop, with their own gimmick to keep it local, and “if you could help them, I think you should.”

Daly in a report said the size of political signs “is a policy decision of the City Council and can be changed if that is the preference of the majority of the City Council.” He noted that an exemption to allow larger noncommercial signs failed to get a required 4/5ths Council vote in October 2010, and the issue was referred to the Planning Commission.

Councilman Wayne Garibaldi said he could support an exemption for sign shops, but would not support a larger sign allowance. Merzlak asked the council for clarification because city political signs are limited to 16 square feet, while county code allows 32 square foot signs. He wanted to know if when he went to work at 9 a.m. Tuesday that he was not in violation of the code.

The council agreed to hold off enforcement for a week, and set a special meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 22 to consider a draft ordinance that would make exemptions for sign shops. Garibaldi said they should still hear from the other side, and he also wanted to put a 30-day time limit on signs, so they do not create another problem. He asked Merzlak to meet with Daly and the city attorney on the issue.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.