01-27-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 13, 1997 (#16- Annual Appointments - Continued) Jabbour asked that the rotating mayor appointment begin with Diann Goetten. The Park Commission Chair vacancy was also noted. Jabbour moved, Kelley seconded, to approve Resolution #3833 giving temporary approval of the 1997 appointments with further changes to be made. Vote: Ayes 4, Nays 0. (#17) NOISE ORDINANCE Moorse reported that revisions have been made to the draft. The problem of addressing complaints and ability to respond to them has been answered. Goetten asked for an explanation or example of the decibel numbers. Police Chief Cheswick said the department has a decibel meter. Cheswick said they looked at the example of stereo systems in a car by which to judge the sound levels. Boom boxes were also noted as a problem. He said the level where the human ear can be damaged is at 76 decibels. Goetten asked if the police would be required to be at the site of occurrence to make the determination. Cheswick said the determination would be made at the border of the property. The ordinance would state that the noise cannot go past the border of the property. Peterson asked if the ordinance would be enforceable? Cheswick noted something needs to be done regarding the problem. Peterson asked if the police department is required to be present when the noise level is occurring. Cheswick said citizens can make a complaint. ' Kelley asked how the ordinance is affected in regards to snow blowers, etc. Cheswick said there are exemptions and control factors regarding equipment. Chesw'ick noted that the decibel range was looked at from an industrial and commercial standpoint which is difterent from that of residential property. Cheswick noted there were 230 complaints handled by the police department in 1995 and 249 in 1996, 97 directly in Orono. The majority of the complaints were residential. He noted the ordinance comes from that prepared by the League of Cities. Jabbour said the LMCD also has a decibel ordinance for boats of 82 decibels. The water patrol boats carry decibel meters. Cheswick said neighboring cities have noise ordinances and sees the need for uniformity. He did note that the decibel level allowed in Long Lake is 55 decibels. Peterson questioned why the limit in this ordinance is difterent from Long Lake ’s it there is the desire for consistency. Cheswick said he believes 55 decibels is too low.