Amador County – Jackson City Council voted 4-0 with one absence Tuesday to approve an urgency ordinance amending city code to allow sign manufacturers to be exempt from the city sign code, for signs that are being constructed or waiting for pickup by customers.

City Manager Mike Daly said the urgency ordinance needed a 4/5ths vote to pass, and with Councilman Keith Sweet absent, it needed all 4 votes to pass or it would have to come back to a regular agenda. During public comment, Judy Jebian urged the council to simply place an exemption on political signs and allow any size political signs. Jack Georgette agreed and said “what about my 4 by 8 sign.”

Kam Merzlak of Merzlak Signs said he felt like he was on trial. Complaints about political signs on his property prompted a return to the sign ordinance. Several local business owners spoke in support of Merzlak.

Councilman Wayne Garibaldi said he wanted to clarify that the council was advised by the city attorney that the new sign ordinance approved in March, as the ordinance was written, would apply to commercial sign shops and all businesses.

Garibaldi said he was guilty that two years’ work to revise the city sign code had missed handling what had started the whole process. Councilwoman Connie Gonsalves apologized for the same reason and said “I think an exemption is appropriate,” as did Mayor Pat Crew, who said “it was just a lesson in civil discourse.”

Councilwoman Marilyn Lewis said: “I’m sorry you feel like you’re on trial,” but “we are having a meeting specifically for you to talk about this and approve this.” She said she made no apology because “I voted against the sign ordinance.”

Garibaldi said he thought the exemption for someone working with signs was OK, but he asked that it not be abused.

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