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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />AUGUST 6, 2007 <br />TITLE: <br />ORDINANCE PROHIBITING DROP OFF OF <br />UNSOLICITED HANDBILLS AT A HOME <br />CITY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />^ As Recommended <br />^ As Amended <br />^ Ordinance on 151 Reading <br />^ Ordinance on 2n° Reading <br />^ Implementing Resolution <br />^ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Adopt an ordinance prohibiting the drop off of handbills at a home where <br />the resident has notified the distributor that such handbills are <br />unwelcome. <br />DISCUSSION <br />On July 24, 2007 the Council Neighborhood Improvement/Code Enforcement <br />Committee requested preparation of a proposed ordinance regulating <br />unwelcome handbills dropped off at residences. The ordinance would provide <br />that handbills cannot be distributed at a home where the resident has <br />posted a notice that handbills are unwelcome. <br />The use of direct advertising at residences, avoiding the mails, has grown <br />as postage rates have increased, particularly for oversized mail. Federal <br />law prohibits placing these handbills in a mailbox. These handbills, door <br />hangers and direct ads are being placed on the door knobs, under mats, on <br />driveways and front yards throughout the city, regardless of whether they <br />are welcome or unwelcome. <br />Many of these handbills blow away onto city streets, creating litter and <br />making neighborhoods look less desirable. Additionally, while individuals <br />going on vacation may stop mail delivery, there is no way to stop the <br />accumulation of residential handbills on a front stoop which may indicate <br />to a potential housebreaker that no one is home. <br />The proposed ordinance would prohibit handbills from being dropped off in <br />front of a home where there has been posted on the property a small notice <br />on or near the front door stating "no handbills" or "no solicitors." <br />Giving written notice to a handbill distributor would also be sufficient <br />for the resident to opt out of any handbills being left on the property by <br />that distributor. <br />50A-1 <br />