A public hearing was held Monday night to discuss changes to the proposed sign ordinance.

“The goal is to make this simple, make it clear, not address this so much by type of sign or what its content was, but by where its location was,” said City Manager Ed Sadler.

Local resident Connie Evans brought concerns about the proposed ordinance to the attention of the council and Planning and Zoning Commission.

“I just want to say, really? I would appreciate it, I think, some comment needs to be made about the material used, maybe more than 120 days, something more than just saying permanent is anything but temporary,” said Evans.

Some of her other concerns included, the appeal process, what was considered a permanent or temporary sign, enforcement of the ordinance and what will happen to all current signs that do not meet the proposed guidelines.

“I believe that this proposed ordinance is not ready to be considered by the Council,” Evans stated.

“I think my suggestion would be, given Connie’s comments, that we would look to refer the comments and the proposed ordinance back to P&Z for review and hopefully assemble a response that we could provide to Connie, as well as to the community, on the points that she has identified,” said Mayor Doug Getter.

Councilman Logan Welch asked the P&Z members present if any questions and concerns brought up by Evans could be answered or addressed at the meeting.

“I don’t see any major changes,” said Steve Struiken, P&Z chairman.

The council moved to adopt the first reading of the sign ordinance with referral back to P&Z relative to comments and questions raised at the public hearing.

Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce Director Deb Brown reminded the council that the Annual Dinner is coming up Jan. 26. The theme is “Building our Webster City Area.” Businesses that are growing will be highlighted at the dinner along with what has happened and what is coming up. Brown also recited a holiday poem which included events and area happenings that are going on in Webster City.

The second reading of a proposed ordinance amending the City Code of Webster City, Iowa, 1996, by replacing Chapter 111 of Title 3; establishing new rates to be charged for electrical energy sold by the city was approved and the third reading of the proposal waived.

The second reading of a proposed ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Webster City, Iowa, 1996, by adding a new section, Operating a Perpetual Care Cemetery, to Chapter 110,Cemetery, was approved and the third reading of the proposal waived.

The council accepted and approved the Minor Subdivision plat of Malaise’s Addition in Hamilton County, IA.

A public hearing on the proposed sale of City-owned property located at 601 Woolsey Avenue was set by the council for Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m.

The council made a motion to refer a request from Bryan G. Gilbert and Maureen A. Seamonds, property owners of 509 First St., regarding a request to vacate and dispose of the alley adjacent to their property on the east, located in the West Castle Addition to Webster City, to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their recommendation.

The council met in closed session to evaluate the performance of City Clerk, Karyl Bonjour, at the end of the meeting.