Sign ordinance, semi-quincentennial committee on Elkader council agenda

By Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns | Times-Register

At its meeting on Sept. 8, the Elkader City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 2025-05, which proposes an amendment to Section 167 (sign regulations) of the code of ordinance. 

The ordinance would add the following definition: “Advertising Sign” means a sign which directs attention to a business, profession, service, product or activity sold or offered upon the premises where a sign is located.

The decision to clarify language was prompted by discussion at a public hearing for the appeal of a decision to deny a building permit for 713 High St. NE on Aug. 25.

The motion to approve was made by Tony Hauber and seconded by Daryl Bruxvoort. Voting in favor were Hauber, Bruxvoort and Bob Garms. Voting against were Randy Henning and Deb Schmidt.

Approval of the second and third readings at upcoming meetings will be required before the ordinance is officially adopted.

Other topics covered at the meeting included deliberation on a sharing agreement of a generator to be used by the Clayton County E911 Board for their radio system at the Elkader city water tower site. 

Council discussed how Monona and Garnavillo are handling similar arrangements. A lease agreement will be reviewed at a later meeting. 

The council also discussed creating an ad-hoc committee to organize an observance for the U.S. semi-quincentennial. Exact details of any ceremony are to be determined by the committee once it is established, but would include events related to opening a time capsule. 

The time capsule was originally organized in 1976 by ​​Gerald Kramer, a member of the Elkader Bicentennial Committee, to be opened 50 years later.