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Council to Amend Existing Political Sign Law After Suit
By Carol Arnett
The Florissant City Council introduced a bill last week that will amend the existing ordinance regarding political signs. The discussion on the bill was heated, as some council members criticized Councilman Andrew Podleski for his wife’s involvement in the lawsuit against the city that prompted the bill.
Podleski’s wife has filed suit against the city, after the city sent notice that a sign for Podleski in the couple’s yard violated the city ordinance restricting campaign signs. The ordinance allows signs only for the 30 days preceding the election.
“We must pass this or be sued,” Councilwoman Karen McKay said. “As someone who has run for office before and dealt with signs, I don’t support this.” McKay cautioned that the city will have signs up “constantly.”
Councilman Tim Lee said that he would not be putting up signs early, even if the ordinance passes. He said that he had three problems with the bill. “We take an oath to uphold the laws,” he said, including those regarding campaigns. Second, he said, if a council member does not like a law, “it’s our job as a legislator to introduce bills to change the laws.” Third, he said, “I’m astonished that an elected official will have anything to do with a lawsuit that will cost the city thousands of dollars.”
Podleski took issue with the bill, also. “I know of no other ordinance that calls people out by name,” he said, referring to the bill. The bill mentions the lawsuit. “Two other suits deemed these laws unconstitutional,” he said. Podleski is one of several running for mayor in April
“This is not about the ACLU, not about me, but about the people out there,” he said. He also pointed out that he was not named in the lawsuit. “I am not a party on the suit; my wife is,” he said. “Honor is when you stand up for something when it’s not popular.”
City Attorney John Hessel weighed in with a legal opinion. “The idea that a city regulating political signs is unconstitutional is wrong,” he said. “The city can regulate signs, and must be content-neutral.”
The council continued the bill until the Jan. 24 meeting.
In other matters, the council held a public hearing regarding a rezoning request for property at 605 Loyola Drive. The property is a home that was most recently used as a chiropractor’s office. It is across from Lindbergh Boulevard from Wendy’s and White Auto Body and is surrounded by commercially zoned property. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the rezoning by approved.
