During the regular business meeting Monday evening, St Augustine city commissioners will consider proposed Ordinance 2012-10 to allow banners on city-owned light poles for limited, “government-only” use.
City Attorney, Ronald W. Brown, will be leading the discussion as the proposal comes before the commission on first reading. During last month’s meeting, Commissioner Leanna Freeman suggested 450th flags, posters or billboards at designated locations around the City. If approved, the ordinance will be back for a second reading and public hearing on September 10.
The proposed ordinance will provide for attachment of special brackets to the city’s streetlights that will accommodate the display of hanging banners. Brown told reporters that the banner must be “for the use of government speech”. He clarified that, if approved, the streetlights, brackets and banners are “not a public venue”.
Typically, the banners would be used to promote official city-sponsored events; such as exhibits at the remodeled Visitor Information Center or in conjunction with the 450th Anniversary commemoration in 2015.
If you are planning to attend — the regular St Augustine City Commission meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. Monday and will be held in the Alcazar Room; on the first floor of the west wing of City Hall, located at 75 King Street in St. Augustine. It will be broadcast live on Comcast Government TV (Cable Channel 3) and is streamed over the Internet.