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II I I I II Inspector Schnell showed slides of newsracks around Redwood City, both free --- standing and modulars, and described how the proposed Ordinance would affect them. He explained the four month grace period before all the components of the Ordinance will take effect, and said that he has asked that the free standing racks blocking sidewalks be removed immediately because they will not be replaced. He added that the Examiner has said it will spend at least $100,000 on the new modulars throughout the City. Council Members said that regulating newsracks, as part of the beautification of Redwood City and emphasis on code enforcement, had been a Council priority, and they thanked staff for their diligence and hard work in reaching a workable and mutually acceptable ordinance. Councilwoman La Berge commended Vice Mayor Howard for her leadership on this issue. 2) Open public hearing; Mayor Hartnett opened the public hearing at 9:30 p.m. 3) Hear public comment; A. Don Frohlich, 491 Topaz, described his request of the Pride and Beautification Committee, four years ago, to look into the problems caused by the -- proliferation of newsracks in the City. Mr. Frohlich congratulated staff for a job quite well done. He asked if the Council intended to impose a permit fee, and if true newspapers would be separated from commercial vehicles such as real estate and jobs. Mr. Frohlich suggested that the proposed penalty was just a slap on the wrist. He said the Newsrack Committee composition was like the fox guarding the hen house. He added that he was mystified that the Council would hold a public hearing on an important ordinance before the ordinance was published in the newspaper. Vice Mayor Howard advised that the Pride and Beautification Committee had this issue on its agenda for the past year, and residents had attended meetings to express their views on this Ordinance, and numerous letters were received. She added that the amount of money that could be collected from a permit fee would not be significant, and it would be "almost penalizing the publishers for cooperating and trying to help us beautify our City." Inspector Schnell said the small amount of revenue from a one-time permit fee of $25 was finally rejected as too much paperwork for the City on such a small return, and since the newspapers didn't want it, it was a decision that made everyone happy. Inspector Schnell said the goal was to have a consistent look - throughout the City, and "if someone wants to go to the expense of buying a newsrack that meets the ordinance, the guidelines of this ordinance, they can REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 JULY 14, 1997 MINUTES Page No. 457 PAGE 20