[Added 9-16-2008 by L.L. No. 42-2008[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was vetoed by the County Executive
10-15-2008, which veto was overridden by the County Legislature 11-18-2008.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A sign, sign screen, billboard or advertising device of any
kind that exceeds 75 square feet in area or 25 pounds in weight.
Installing, building, erecting, hanging, suspending, hoisting,
lowering, attaching, or removing any kind of display sign on, upon
or from any structure or any exterior walls or roof of any structure.
Any stationary combination of materials built or erected,
including, but not limited to, a building, bridge, framework, billboard,
railroad trestle, awning or other object that has been put together
from different parts.
It is unlawful for any person to engage in any business as a sign hanging contractor without obtaining a license therefor from the Office in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this article and Article I of this chapter.
A.
The County Executive, with the approval of the legislative body,
shall appoint a five-member Sign Hanging Licensing Board to serve
for a three-year term. Said Board shall determine the fitness of applicants
for a sign hanging license and shall investigate and report on all
proposed suspensions or revocations of licenses as hereinafter provided.
Said Board shall be composed of individuals having a personal knowledge
of and interest in sign hanging, such as representatives of labor,
management, trade or professional associations, and appropriate representatives
of government. A Licensing Director shall be appointed by the Director
and shall serve as secretary of the Board. The Director shall serve
as a nonvoting ex-officio member of such Board.
B.
For the initial appointment only, three members of the Board shall
be appointed for three-year terms, one member for a two-year term,
and one member for a one-year term. All appointments thereafter shall
be for a three-year term.
C.
Compensation. Each member of the Board shall be compensated at the
rate of $100 for each official meeting of said Board attended, but
not more than $1,500 in any calendar year.
D.
Powers and duties. The Licensing Board shall have the following powers
and duties:
(1)
To hold meetings at regular times and places for the efficient
discharge of the responsibilities and duties of the Board.
(2)
To make rules for the conduct of its meetings and to keep a
minute book of its proceedings, including a record of its examinations
and other official actions.
(3)
To examine the qualifications and fitness of applicants applying
for licenses under this article.
(4)
To develop oral, written and/or practical examinations in order
to judge the qualifications of an applicant.
(5)
To authorize the Director to issue a sign hanging license.
(6)
To conduct meetings and, after a hearing at which all interested
parties are afforded a sufficient opportunity to be heard, submit
recommendations to the Director relating to the suspension or revocation
of a sign hanging license for cause.
(7)
To keep records of licenses issued, suspended or revoked and
to make such records available for public inspection.
(8)
To prepare a manual of rules and regulations for the conduct
of examinations and to furnish copies thereof to persons desiring
same.
(9)
To formulate and recommend to the Director a code of rules for
adoption or amendment governing sign hanging, including the materials,
workmanship and manner of executing such work. Before making such
recommendation, the Board shall confer and meet with the representatives
of the sign hanging industry and hold a hearing on the proposed rules.
Reasonable prior notice of the time and place of such hearing shall
be given by publication in the official newspapers of the County.
(10)
To formulate and recommend to the Director, for adoption or
amendment, rules and standards for the issuance, suspension and revocation
of licenses, including the conditions for the issuance of same, the
type of examination required, the terms and fees and the conditions
upon the circumstances under which the same may be revoked or suspended.
A.
The Office shall issue a temporary license to any applicant for a
sign hanging license if the Office has not, within 30 days after receipt
of the application for such license, approved or disapproved the application.
B.
The temporary license shall be for a period of 90 days. If, within
such ninety-day period, the Office shall have failed to approve or
disapprove the application, the Office shall then issue a regular
license to the applicant. If the application is approved during the
term of the temporary license, the Office shall issue a regular license
to the applicant.
C.
The fee for a temporary license shall be $50 per annum. The fee for
a regular license issued to replace a temporary license shall be $150
for the first full year.
No license shall be required of an employee who performs labor
or services for a licensed sign hanging contractor for wages or salary.
