Ruidoso reviews sign standards and solicitation rules

Ruidoso Community Development director Tim Dodge said he’s revisiting village ordinances one-by-one for needed changes and updates.

“It is an opportunity to clean up. Every once and in a while an ordinance needs revisiting,” he said. “I’m trying to every month look at another one.”

Following that line, he received approval from the village council last week to schedule two public hearings during the July 9 meeting.

The first will deal with possible changes to the ordinance governing signs in the village and the second is another run at a recently amended code covering solicitations and requiring registration.

Speaking to councilors during the public forum portion of the meeting, Andrea Fernandez, community health council volunteer and a community activist, said the solicitation ordinance adopted in April presents many challenges.

“It complicates volunteering,” she said. “Some people want to help, but now they have to register with the village, and they already are giving their time. It’s a hindrance, and they possibility have to pay something.”

The code also sets up different rules for nonprofits and for-profit organizations, she said.

“The health council has been working for more than a year to be nonprofit,” she said. “I volunteer for numerous organizations. Do I have to register for each? I hope we can look at it and find the right balance so that we don’t tie the hands of our volunteers.”

Councilor Joe Eby said he’s heard complaints from constituents. Organizations are required to register the names of volunteers and others who may go into the community asking for donations.

Some rules are aimed at the C3-Midtown commercial district, which often is congested on sidewalks and streets. The practice of going onto property by solicitors is considered a nuisance under village law, the ordinance states.

A license is required from the village before any solicitation. Charitable organizations may submit a list of solicitors who will be working on their behalf. Permits are for one year.

More:License needed to solicit in Ruidoso

 As for the current state of signs, Dodge said many have evolved in the village during a period while enforcement was not a priority, resulting in frequent nonconformity. One new element may be a prohibition of political signs in public rights of way. Allowances given before were abused in the last election cycle with unacceptable signs being placed, Dodge said.

After those two are revamped he said the department will look at the village’s addressing system and a possible requirement for reflective numbers on the street to help emergency service personnel find homes.