HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/17/1998, C8 - PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO BANNER AND FLAG POLICY AND PROCEDURES council °W
j ac,Enaa Report , ger
C I T Y OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Ken Hampian,Assistant City Administrative Officer�J
Prepared By: Wendy George,Assistant to the City Administrative Officer W
SUBJECT: PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
BANNER AND FLAG POLICY AND PROCEDURES
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution amending the City of San Luis Obispo Banner and Flag Policy and
Procedures.
DISCUSSION
Background
In May of 1994, the City Council adopted a new Banner Policy. The policy addresses both the
hanging of banners and the displaying of decorative flags. Flags are decorative signs hung
vertically from horizontal supports, attached to City streetlights in the downtown core, as
opposed to banners which are hung across the downtown streets. The policy was modified in
May, 1995, to add an additional banner location on Marsh Street at the Carmel Street
intersection. Staff is now proposing additional modifications to that policy in two specific areas.
The first modification, proposed at the request of the BIA, is to create a separate section of the
policy relating specifically to flags. The second is simply to make changes reflecting the move
of administrative responsibility for the policy from the Public Works Department to the Parks
and Recreation Department.
Proposed Flag Section
Several years ago, the BIA purchased brackets to be placed on streetlights in the downtown core
from which decorative flags could be hung. Their intention was to have an ongoing decorative
flag program. Flags were purchased and hung for some period of time before they became
tattered and were no longer used. As part of its Beautification Program for this year's holidays,
the BIA purchased new holiday banners and also were able to rehabilitate old Decemberfest
banners which were hung to decorate the downtown. A second set of flags has been purchased
by the BIA which advertise Farmers' Market. When the holiday decorations came down, the
Fanners' Market flags went up, thus saving a separate hanging cost for the Farmers' Market
flags.
The BIA hopes that these two sets of flags will be the beginning of an ongoing annual flag
program. Its plan is to interest other non-profit groups in signing a contract with the BIA to hang
their flags on a rotational basis throughout the year. All flags would be purchased through the
same supplier, so the supplier would not only remove and store the old flags but hang the new
flags, again avoiding a second charge for hanging. Use of the same supplier would also provide
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continuity in size and shape. The BIA would be responsible for developing contracts to be
signed by other non-profit agencies, arrange for purchase and hanging of the flags and any other
administrative responsibilities.
In order to accommodate the BIA's proposed flag policy, the old Banner and Flag Policy has
been divided into two sections, with the Downtown Association Flag Contract found in a
completely separate Section B.
Proposed Changes to Banner Section
At the same time that the policy was reworked to separate out the flag procedures, staff made
some technical changes to the remaining banner section of the policy,-Section A. Basically,
those corrections involve changing the department responsible for the policy from Public Works
to Parks and Recreation. The Parks and Recreation Department has, in fact, been administering
this policy for several years as part of their special events responsibilities. Slight modifications
were also made to the annual schedule of sign-ups for banners which assures that all City
selections and BIA selections are in place before the calendar is opened to the public. Finally,
the policy reflects the BIA's new name, the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association, which is
being changed by another Council action on tonight's agenda. Otherwise, the policy is
unchanged.
CONCURRENCES
The Parks and Recreation Department concurs with this recommendation. The Public Works
Department is also comfortable with the proposed flag program, as long as the flags are hung and
taken down by a professional company to assure that the light poles are not damaged.
FISCAL HAPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City from the proposed changes.
Attachments
Resolution Amending Banner and Flag Policy
Legislative Draft of Proposed Policy Changes
C— �—Z
RESOLUTION NO. (1998 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AMENDING
THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF BANNER PERMITS
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted a Banner Policy in May of 1994; and
WHEREAS, that policy has now been divided into two sections, one relating to banners
and the second relating to flags;
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows:
The Banner Policy attached hereto,marked"Exhibit A",revises formal policies and
procedures for processing permits to install banners and flags in the downtown area and is hereby
approved.
On motion of , seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this day of , 1998.
This resolution supersedes Resolution No. 8411 (1995 Series).
ATTEST:
Bonnie Gawf, City Clerk Mayor Allen Settle
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Y&fo. Jo ens , Ci Attorney
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Banner and Flag Policy & Procedures
A. BANNERS
DEFINITIONS
Banner. A sign which is installed across a public street, above traffic and is
temporary in nature.
Flag-. deseFative signg veFtmeally ftem a 119FOZeRtal suppeFt Q=«Q
Event: Any meeting, display, exhibit, parade or show that is open to the
general public and takes place:
1. On public property within the City limits and for which the
City has issued a permit specifically authorizing the use of said
property.
2. On the Cal Poly campus for which Cal Poly has authorized
the use of said property.
Banners afld—flags-require a Parks and Recreation
Department "Banner Application and Permit" and are exempt from the Municipal
Code Sign Regulations.
DivisieR. The Special Events Section of Parks and Recreation Department is
responsible for the issuance of banner permits.
PURPOSE AND APPLICATION
Banners are displayed to inform the general public of upcoming events.
beautifieetien flags).
AFFECTED CITY DEPARTMENTS
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Parks and Recreation Department
Public Works Department (Parks & Street Divisions)
Finance Department
PERTINENT
� eRe.
POLICY
1. A banner may be displayed only to announce an event. Bess
SLO Downtown Association holiday decorations
may be displayed in lieu of banners during the months of November and
December.
2. 9 may > displayeden desigRated
2. (a) The name of the event shall be printed in the largest and boldest
type.
(b) The location and date shall be printed in a type size smaller than
that of the event.
(c) The name and/or logo of the non-profit organization sponsoring
the event may be displayed in a type size smaller than that of the
date and location.
(d) Other messages or statements are strictly prohibited.
Examples:
An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July
July 4th Mission Plaza
City of San Luis Obispo
Rib Cook-Off
Thursday Night Farmers' Market
Business Improvement Association
SCOUT-A-RAMA
Mission Plaza August 12th
Boy Scouts of America
3. Banner wording shall be approved by the City prior to issuance of a
banner permit to insure consistency with this policy. The approved
wording shall be in the form as shown above and plainly stated on the
banner permit. Existing banners which meet the intent but not exact form
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as shown above shall be allowed until replaced or changed. Deviation
from the approved wording is cause for the city to either refuse to install or
to remove any banner.
4. Banners shall be installed for a period of one (1) calendar week. A single
banner or multiple banners advertising the same event shall not be hung
in consecutive time slots.
Major events or festivals of at least two weeks' duration may be
allowed a banner at a single location for a two-week period (no
greater than Q 16 calendar days) if it is demonstrated to the
satisfaction of the Publis-WaFks-Parks and Recreation Department
that the major event or festival has at least ten (10) prescheduled
activities or concerts (broadly publicized and open to the general
public for a fee or free) extending over a two-week period.
5. Banners and flags shall be installed and removed by the City's Parks and
Streets Division,
6. Banners shall be installed and removed on Mondays. NO EXCEPTIONSI
7. A minimum banner permit fee will be charged. If the City installs and
removes the banner, an additional fee shall be charged, which is
representative of the City's estimated costs associated with the
installation/removal of bannerss. (Note: All fee updates are
processed through the Director of Finance and approved by resolution of
the City Council.)
If the—I-IA--i„stal;s and remeves the banner eRly the—r�ti�►i m
.e.vaavv ef the
8. The San Luis Obispo Downtown Association
Assesiatien (Bh4) is partially sponsored by the City of San Luis Obispo.
Therefore, all fees charged to the _I k- LO Downtown Association will be
fifty (50) percent of the normal fee. All banners installed for an event or
non-profit organization which is financially co-sponsored by the City or EWA
SLO Downtown Association will be charged fifty (50) percent of the
normal fee. Events which are solely City-sponsored events will not be
charged a fee.
9. A new banner schedule shall be established each year by January 10.
be-issued-en-a first eem , fiffit seFyed basis. Banner permit applications
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from the City and SLO Downtown Association shall be received no later
than December 1 of the prior year. All applications from the public shall
not be accepted prior to the first Wednesday of Janua[y (excluding
holidays) and permits will be issued on a "first come first served" basis.
Banner space shall not be reserved, except through the issuance of a
banner permit.
10. Banner specifications.
Maximum banner size:
4 feet wide x 24 feet long, constructed of a fabric which will be able to
withstand typical weather conditions.
Support lines shall be 40 feet long with the banner centered. Support
lines shall be % inch nylon rope top and bottom, double-stitched across
the full length of the banner. Each comer shall be quadruple-stitched for
1 foot from each comer and across the support lines.
Banners over 12 feet in length and 2 feet in width shall have wind relief
cuts, 1 foot on center (4 inches x 4 inches, horseshoe cuts).
41.. Flag SpesifieatieRfri
..,s shall be designed te be hung fFeFn the Gi%-'s stFeet light pele
pFepesals shall be F8Yiewed en a ease by ease basis FegaFdiRg FnateNal,
.
PROCEDURE
y December 15 of each calendar year
a schedule for the upcoming year of City and SLO Downtown Association
banners shall be established. All City departments and the SLO Downtown
Association wishing to reserve a banner location and time shall do so in writing,
prior to December 1 with the Parks and Recreation Department Once all initial
City and ASLO Downtown Association banners are reserved, all other banner
requests (including subsequent City and E4A-SLO Downtown Association banner
requests)shall be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. NO EXEPTIONSI
Upon receipt of a written request to hang a bannerFmngiReeNRg
--•- sien .-eeopmeFA Rey+e..�ee•e„-Parks and Recreation Department shall
verify that the proposed banner complies with City policy and specifications. If
staff is uncertain whether a banner complies with City policy, the matter shall be
referred to the Pub!'s We*S 9ireGt9FParks and Recreation Director for
review/approval.
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A PubliG WeFks Depwtmwit "Banner Application and Permit" shall be completed
and issued and all appropriate fees collected before any banner is installed.
Banner permit forms are located at the publie eewnteF at 956 MeFFe Stmeet the
Parks and Recreation Department, 1341 Nipomo Street.
After a banner permit is completed, the original permit is routed to the City
Arborist (Parks Division), a copy is given to the permittee and one copy is filed in
the Banner Permit File.
At the end of each calendar year, the banner schedule (calendar) and issued
permits are removed from the Banner Permit File and placed in an archive file in
the EngiRee g DiyiseeR Deyelepmwit Reyiew SeetienParks and Recreation
Department until disposal.
B. SLO DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION FLAG CONTRACT
Flags in the Downtown core fall under the sole jurisdiction of the SLO Downtown
Association and are subject to the guidelines described below.
DEFINITIONS
Flag: A decorative sign hung vertically from horizontal supports attached
to a City street light in the downtown core
PURPOSE
Flags are displayed to inform the public of upcoming events and/or decorate the
downtown in conjunction with the organization's downtown event
POLICY
1. Participants must be a nonprofit (501 Q organization or other eligible not-
for-profit organization.
2. The event or activity promoted on the flag must occur in the SLO
Downtown Association district or promote the SLO Downtown Association
goals and programs of promotions and beautification
3. The name of the event or activity shall be displayed on the flag and may
also include date and agency. No other messages statements names or
paid sponsors' logos are allowed
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Example:
Mardi Gras
February 21
Mystic Krewe of
Karnival
4. All oarticipants must purchase product and services through the SLO
Downtown Association program.
5. All soonsodna organizations must sign a contract for a specific period of
time during the year, not to exceed six weeks and this period of time shall
be reserved for up to three consecutive years, as determined by the SLO
Downtown Association, at which time the application may be renewed
6. When a contract is not renewed by an organization all local non-profit
agencies will be provided an opportunity to apply for the vacant
pursuant to the terms of the policy,
7. All participants' artwork and messages will be subject to approval by the
SLO Downtown Association to insure consistency with the policy,
8. A maintenance/administration fee will be assessed per flag Der day while
on display:
9. Any art changes to flags will be billed to permittee
PROCEDURE
Organizations shall apply to the SLO Downtown Association at any time during
the year. Applications will be reviewed by the SLO Downtown Association
Beautification Committee and are subject to acceptance on a first-come first-
served basis. Applications are available at theSLO Downtown Association office
located at 1108 Garden Street Suite 209 If accepted a permit will be issued
with one copy given to the permittee and one filed at the SLO Downtown
Association office.
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