This is the Mesquite program which pays 25 cents per sign.
http://www.cityofmesquite.com/kmb/toss.php

Fine news coverage last night on WFAA describing new program in Garland. See the video at
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa051108_wz_signs.3d5bcecd.html


This is from the Garland web site:

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Garland Puts a Bounty on Illegal Signs

Garland, Texas(October 24, 2005) – Last year, the City of Garland removed more than 16,000 unauthorized advertising signs posted on utility poles and along streets and intersections. The City of Garland officials have launched the I-SIGN program, placing a bounty on all illegally placed signs on City right-of-ways.

The City of Garland wants to encourage the community to help keep Garland beautiful and safe by preventing the use of such illegal signs. Improperly posted signs can block the view of oncoming traffic, creating a potential safety hazard. In addition, the signs create litter and clutter along Garland roadways.

The City of Garland Health Department’s Code Compliance Division is responsible for regulating signage on the rights-of-way. Code Compliance officers pick up and dispose of illegal and outdated signs, and issue citations to violators who continue to illegally place their signs.

Starting November 1, 2005 the City of Garland will begin teaming up with civic clubs, non-profits, and church and community groups to rid Garland of these unsightly, illegal signs. Groups may register for the opportunity to collect signs and be paid 50-cents for each of the signs removed and brought to the I-SIGN disposal location.

Garland is not the only city with the problem of illegally placed signs. Every city in the United States is plagued with these signs on roadways, telephone and utility poles, and even private property. City of Garland is among only a few cities within the United States to have begun this type of bounty program. Garland’s I-SIGN program is modeled after the City of Mesquite’s TOSS program which was implemented in the summer of 2005.

Garland I-SIGN participants must register with the City through a recognized group, wear safety vests, and attend a short presentation. Participants must be at least 12 years old and have adult supervision. Groups interested in registering to participate in I-SIGN should contact the Citizen Relations Representative Vickie Jenkins at 972-485-6414 or vjenkins@ci.garland.tx.us.

Newbie (not)

I just wonder what Garland or Mesquite would say if one of us filed for permission (not that we really need it) to remove signs and donate the money to the Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts.

We've (CAUSS) more than likely, at very minimum, removed as many as either one of these city's CE departments during the last year.

GW

When I first heard of the Mesquite program a number of months ago, I asked if the volunteers or organization needed to be from Mesquite and they said no.

An unusual thing about the Garland program is that they grant a monoply to the group for the 3 week period that they sign up for. I can just hear the civic group leader telling the city manager that they needed exclusive rights so that their revenue potential was sufficient to make it worth their while at "only" 50 cents per sign. This amount seeems like a very large bounty to me. I think a commercial harvester would be delighted to get this amount.

Newbie (not)

>-snip- This amount seeems like a very large bounty to me.
>I think a commercial harvester would be delighted to get this amount.>

No question about it. Anyone that has a small 1/4 pickup or something similiar could easily get up to 200 signs a day.
$100 a day is not bad if someone is unemployed and in need of some quick operating funds.

GW

That's a strange loophole for the spammers though. All they have to do is sign themselves up. Their signs will be immune for 3 weeks.

But there's a loophole working against that. If a group plans to sign up in the future they can start harvesting signs now, hoard them, then turn them in during their own 3 week period.

I like the idea of harvesting and donating! I almost wish I lived in a city with a worse sign problem and this innovative solution. I'd fill a storage shed with signs then dole them out to worthy groups.

Ugly,

Good point on the loopholes. I wonder if the agreement with the city prohibits hoarding and importation of signs from other cities. If you have the three-week franchise, I wonder if you can subcontract and give, say 25 cents, to others who do the actual work. Another option is for the spammers to pay the volunteer organization 50 cents each for not picking THEIR signs.

Newbie (not)

This program is so full of holes and loopholes, that it looks like an 18x24 bandit that's been hit with 7.5 bird shot from a 10ga. shotgun.

GW