By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
It could be called a banner decision: the City of Decatur has adopted a policy covering banners to be hung over Second St., between Madison and Monroe streets in the downtown area.
The need for a policy first arose at the Sept. 5 meeting of city council. After discussion, it was decided to have City Attorney Anne Razo put together a proposed policy as guidelines.
Razo presented the plan at Tuesday’s council meeting and it was unanimously adopted by council.
The plan says:
* The event the banner is promoting must be city-sponsored.
* Or it must be on city property or a city park.
* Or it must be on the Madison St. Plaza.
* Anyone wishing to have a banner hung must apply at least 60 days in advance to Community Coordinator Jamie Gephart.
* An approved banner will hang for seven days; a longer stay must be requested and will be considered.
* Banner requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
* If banner event dates overlap, the city will attempt to resolve the issue.
City employees, as they have for years, will continue to erect and take down the banners.
A total of 11 banners currently are raised each year. They are owned by the organizations and events being touted by the banner.
“I think it’s great,” Councilman Craig Coshow said of having a banner policy.
Operations Manager, who oversees the city employees hanging the banners, said of the new policy, “I’m fine with it.”
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