Billboard companies, city reach agreement

SNELLVILLE - Attorneys for two billboard companies and the city of Snellville agreed today to have six billboards taken down and inspected and then reinstalled after any needed repairs are made. <br> <br> The city had wanted the billboards removed after Thursday&#39;s billboard collapse that killed three workers and injured another. <br> <br> Attorneys for Advantage Advertising Incorporated, of Lawrenceville and Trinity Outdoor were fighting a City Council-approved to remove six billboards by 5 p.m. Monday. Advantage owns one billboard and the five others belong to Trinity Outdoor. <br> <br> A 17-page complaint from Advantage states: ``The mayor and council have seemingly chosen to utilize the horrible tragedy that occurred on August 1, 2002, in an effort to circumvent the federal court&#39;s orders and the court-sanctioned settlement agreement.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Both Advantage and Trinity had inspectors in Snellville throughout the weekend inspecting the large billboards for safety after the collapse on Thursday. Inspectors have said last week&#39;s collapse may have been the result of problems with welding during the sign&#39;s manufacture.