#2 Action on proposed advertising policy addendum to Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club lease agreement
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE MEMORANDUM
June 12, 2012
TO: City Council
FROM:Rebecca Smith, Management Assistant
SUBJECT: Action on a proposed advertising policy addendum to the Rock Aqua Jays
Water Ski Club, Inc lease agreement
Request
The Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club, Inc. (RAJ) requests permission to advertise on
their leased property at Traxler Park.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends the Council approve the Rock Aqua Jays Advertising Policy
Addendum.
City Manager Recommendation
The City Manager believes this is an appropriate approval. The City and Rock Aqua
Jays have developed an effective partnership over the years. The Rock Aqua Jays are
a regional attraction and have brought in both National and International events to the
City. This would be a method for the Rock Aqua Jays to create revenue to support their
operations at Traxler Park.
Suggested Motion
I move to approve the Rock Aqua Jays Advertising Policy Addendum.
Background
The RAJ’s lease with the City allows them to have a sign at the corner of Hyatt and
Parker Drive; in addition, during tournaments they temporarily install signs across the
river facing the bleachers. The activities have been taking place for several years with
no concerns.
The RAJ recently came to the Parks Division with a request to further advertise in their
leased area at Traxler Park. The RAJ would like to install about three dozen (36)
advertising signs along the top row of the bleachers; the signs would face Parker Drive.
The signs would be in place from approximately May 15 to September 30 each year and
Please Note
would be made of sturdy corrugated plastic. : The RAJ refers to these
signs as “billboards” in their written materials; however, these signs are 3’x5’ in size, are
not lighted and are not the type of billboards a person would see along the interstate.
Staff generally refers to advertising at this size and type as “signs”.
Rock Aqua Jays Advertising Policy Addendum
This policy provides guidelines for the use of advertising at the RAJ’s leased area within
Traxler Park. Highlights of the policy include:
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All advertising signage must comply with all applicable laws and all city
ordinances, including the sign ordinance;
Advertising is allowed along one row across the back of the bleachers facing
Parker Drive and continues to be allowed at or near the corner of Hyatt Street
and N. Parker Drive and temporarily across the river during tournaments;
The template and all signs must be approved by the Community Development
Department to ensure they conform with the intent of the City’s ordinances;
Alcohol or tobacco logos, or companies, products and services which are not in
are strictly prohibited
keeping with youth or public park open space values .
Restaurants or alcohol distributors may advertise with their name, provided the
ad does not include logos or paraphernalia depicting alcohol, tobacco, products
or services which are not keeping with youth or public park open space values.
The City must receive a copy of all advertising agreements;
If the RAJ defaults on their lease, any new group is required to fulfill any existing
agreements;
The RAJ may retain the funding received from advertising;
The City retains the right to advertise within Traxler Park at areas not leased to
the RAJ; and
The RAJ shall maintain, install, remove and secure all advertising signs.
Conclusion
The RAJ and the City have a long history of working together at Traxler Park; the RAJ is
a trustworthy and dependable park user. The RAJ is a wonderful community partner
that provides positive economic impact to the Janesville community. The advertising
initiative the RAJ is proposing will be tasteful and will not interrupt park enjoyment by
the general community.
CC:
Eric Levitt, City Manager;
Jacob J. Winzenz, Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services
Attachments
Rock Aqua Jays Advertising Policy Addendum
Request letter & PowerPoint slides from RAJ
RAJ Lease agreement
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Rock Aqua Jays Advertising Policy Addendum
Date Approved by City Council:
Effective Date:
Cancellation Date
Purpose of Policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish consistent and enforceable guidelines
under which the Rock Aqua Jays (hereinafter RAJs) may install commercial
advertising on their leased premises in a manner which is in keeping with the
values of youth and public park open space and not offensive.
References
1. The 2010-2030 previously executed lease agreement between the City of
Janesville and the Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club, Inc
a.) Miscellaneous 10. E. The Aqua Jays may erect a sign advertising
Rock Aqua Jay events at or near the corner of Hyatt Street and N.
Parker Drive. Size, design and placement shall be subject to City
approval and applicable City ordinances.
Statement of Policy
1. This policy shall be binding for Rock Aqua Jay’s ski show leased area at
Traxler Park.
2. Any significant changes to this policy are subject to approval by the City
Council before taking effect.
3. Considering the economic development impact of the Rock Aqua Jays’ ski
shows and tournaments, staff considers these events to be community-
wide special events necessitating flexibility in advertising, particularly for
short-term tournament advertising.
Guidelines
1. All advertising signage must comply with all applicable laws and all city
ordinances, including the sign ordinance.
2. Advertising signage may be placed along one row across the back of the
bleachers, with the signs to face Parker Drive.
3. A template providing for consistent size and shape for the signage shall be
developed.
4. The Community Development Department will review the template and all
advertising signs to ensure the template and signs conform to the
guidelines set forth in this policy and the intent of the City sign ordinance.
5. Alcohol or tobacco logos, or companies, products and services which are
are strictly
not in keeping with youth or public park open space values
prohibited
. Restaurants or alcohol distributors may advertise with their
name, provided the ad does not include logos or paraphernalia depicting
alcohol, tobacco, products or services which are not in keeping with youth
or public park open space values or interpreted to be offensive.
6. The RAJs are responsible for keeping advertising signs well-maintained
and attractive.
7. No advertising may be directly lit with supplemental lighting.
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Rock Aqua Jays Advertising Policy Addendum
Date Approved by City Council:
Effective Date:
Cancellation Date
8. The RAJs are responsible for ensuring all advertising is properly secured
and mounted to prevent damage or unsightly appearance.
9. No commercial billboards will be permitted unless approved by the Plan
Commission.
10. No electronic advertising signs will be permitted; however, indoor
electronic “zipper” signs for concession sales are permitted.
11. Taking into consideration the maintenance and operational activities the
RAJs are responsible for at their leased area and economic impact the
RAJs make to the Janesville community, the RAJs may receive and retain
revenue, financial proceeds or services-in-kind from advertising signage.
12. Taking into consideration the City’s ownership of Traxler Park, the City of
Janesville retains the right to advertise within Traxler Park at areas not
leased to the RAJs and may receive and retain revenue, financial
proceeds or services-in-kind from those advertising signs.
13. The RAJs shall provide annually to the City of Janesville a copy of their
advertising agreements to ensure the City is aware of their advertising
decisions and contracts with vendors. Should the RAJs default on their
lease with the City of Janesville or choose not renew their lease, any
future sports group that leases the park area containing advertising will be
required to fulfill any advertising commitments until such time as the
advertising agreement is completed or until such time as the new sports
group and the initial advertiser agree to stop their relationship.
Tournament Banners
1. During tournaments advertising banners may be placed across the river
from the RAJs’ leased property facing the bleachers. Banners and posts
may be installed a maximum of two days before the tournament begins
and shall be removed within two days after the tournament ends.
Approved as to Form:
Waldemar Klimczyk, City Attorney
City Attorney’s Office
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