CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

Mayor

RESOLUTION 03-76

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF HOMER APPLICATION TO THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES(DOT/PF) FOR TOURIST ORIENTED DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE IN DOT/PF RIGHT OF WAYS AT THE INTERSECTION AREAS WHERE THE STERLING HIGHWAY INTERSECTS AT PIONEER AVENUE, MAIN STREET, LAKE STREET AND OCEAN DRIVE/HOMER SPIT ROAD, AND AT THE PIONEER AVENUE/LAKE STREET/ EAST END ROAD INTERSECTION AND THAT THE SIGNAGE INDICATE THE TYPE OF BUSINESSES/SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS.

WHEREAS, The Pioneer Avenue Business owners approached the Planning Department requesting permission to install an informational business sign at the Pioneer Avenue and Sterling Highway intersection; and

WHEREAS, The sign that they initially requested did not meet all the specifications in the City Code and location was at issue; and

WHEREAS, Although, the Pioneer Avenue Business desire an artsy attractive wood sign, they have expressed appreciation for any City support of better DOT signs for all the business locations; and

WHEREAS, City staff believe that the type of sign originally proposed by the business owners is a good idea and offered the following suggestions on how to approach that:

1. HCC 21.60.090, signs in public right of way - allowed signs are: a.1. public signs erected by or on behalf of a governing body to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information and direct or regular pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

2. That the Pioneer Avenue businesses continue to pursue the more "artsy" sign, as depicted in submitted draft drawings, that the businesses have agreed to pay for and that will have City of Homer on the sign to be more of a governmental informational sign.

3. That the more "artsy" sign is desired for all the Business Districts and seems very appropriate in our art community.

4. Working with the Homer Advisory Planning Commission to change the sign code to accommodate these types of informational signs that advertise an entire section of town and not just individual businesses; and

WHEREAS, DOT District Manager Michael Morawitz provided the regulations regarding "Tourist Oriented Direction Signing" (TODS) that the City may apply for from DOT, DOT will install for $600 each, includes the cost of the sign, or the City of Homer may install for $300 each, up to three signs may be on the same pole, if the TODS are installed on existing poles the cost is reduced to approximately $180 per; and

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Resolution 03-76

City of Homer

WHEREAS, Staff's recommendation is that there be signs placed at all the major intersections on the Sterling Highway that have businesses, ie, Pioneer Avenue, Main Street, Lake Street and the Spit that indicate the types of businesses or services provided within that area that meet the TOD eligibility requirements; gas, food, lodging, campgrounds tourist attractions. and other commercial activity; and

WHEREAS, Staff further recommends that these signs include icons as provided in the TODS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Homer, Alaska supports the City applying to DOT/PF for TODS in DOT/PF right-of-ways at the intersection areas where the Sterling Highway intersects Pioneer Avenue, Main Street, Lake Street and the Ocean Drive/Homer Spit Road and at the Pioneer Avenue/Lake Street/East End Road Intersection, that the signage indicate the type of businesses/services and that the City Manager is hereby authorized execute the appropriate documents.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council be copied with the application for the TODS and be provided a period of one week for input prior to submittal to DOT.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 27th day of May, 2003.

CITY OF HOMER

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ATTEST: JACK CUSHING, MAYOR

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MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: No funds have been budgeted specifically for signage. The purchase of informational signage could be funded from the City Clerk's advertising budget. Cost per sign with City staff installation on existing poles is approximately $180.00 per sign. We suggest that there be five signs.