A recent sign sweep by the city caught the attention of local business owners who voiced their concern at the Feb. 23 meeting of the Bonney Lake City Council.

More than 60 signs were taken down Feb. 18 along state Route 410, prompting 11 people to address the council regarding the city’s sign ordinance.

Tom Watson of Office Depot said removing the A-boards within the city was detrimental to small businesses. He suggested the city modify the code and allow small businesses with fewer than seven employees and off-street access to display a 24-inch by 36-inch, professionally-designed A-boards from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“In this economy with a solid marketing plan, A-boards are effective and can be produced to enhance the business and not detract from the city’s landscape,” Watson said.

He also suggested the city charge a small permit fee for A-boards.

Local business owner Larry Dever, who supports A-boards, said his reader board brings in 23 percent of his business. He said he’s had a reader board along SR 410 since 1995.

Dever told Mayor Neil Johnson his phone number (Johnson’s) had been on his reader board for about five hours.

“You’re going to receive a vast amount of phone calls in support of my reader board,” Dever said.

Gamebreakerz owner Shandor Collins said a lot of small businesses are facing hard time in the current economy. He said A-boards attract a significant amount of business to stores who cannot afford to purchase space on large electronic signs.

Michelle Gunn complained that during the sign sweep, temporary signs were also picked up. She said signs promoting the Sumner High School Big Band Dance on Feb. 20 were pulled two days before the event.

Community Development Director John Vodopich said the school did not obtain a permit allowing the temporary signs.

Business owner Jeff Ward told the council he needs people to see his business off 410 and A-boards are needed for his insurance business.

Andy Gomen said it is unfair that small businesses can’t put up a sign, but during election season city council candidates place their signs “all over the place.”

Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman told Gomen political free speech is a completely different issue than business signage.

According to Vodopich, two city staff members performed a two and a half-hour “sign sweep,” removing signs placed in the right-of-way – which the city probits.

Vodopich said 63 signs were picked up and the Mazatlan sign located in the right-of-way was too heavy to be picked up, so the city sent a letter asking that it be removed. The Gamebreakerz reader board also was removed.

He added at the intersection of SR 410 and Sumner-Buckley Highway, the area was cleared of signs at approximately 8 a.m., but by 1 p.m. five signs were put back up then later removed by city staff.

One staff person spent another three and a half hours later that day patrolling other city streets and picked up an additional 46 signs, Vodopich noted.

He said nine signs were released to business owners or managers at time of confiscation, along with instructions regarding proper placement.

Vodopich said codes in neighboring Buckley also prohibit signs in the right-of-way.

Johnson reiterated that A-board signs cannot be put in the right-of-way and noted there are two issues to consider – where to put signage and the difference in right-of-way and public property.

“If you’re willing to have a discussion, we can do that,” Johnson said. “We can get with the chamber and get something coordinated. We’ll do whatever it takes. It’s all about information and we don’t get to this point unless someone is upset.”

Lora Butterfield, chamber of commerce executive director, said the chamber is willing to facilitate discussions regarding the sign ordinance between businesses and the city. A meeting is planned for 7 p.m. March 10 at a site to be determined.