Title
S&G Street Sweeper Noise (NB)
Explanation
On February 9, 2004, the City Commission referred a citizen complaint of street sweeper noise to the Public Safety Committee. The Committee held two meetings to discuss concerns presented by the citizen complainant against S&G Pavement Marking (street sweeper), and heard from the complainant, other citizens, the business, and city staff. The City's noise ordinance provides for restrictions of gas powered leaf blowers during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., and further provides for enforcement of other equipment noise by decibel readings, during other allowed operating hours. Even though police call history for noise complaints does not break out noise calls by type, i.e., street sweeper vs loud party, police records do not show this particular issue, rising to the level of more than one complaint, to be prevalent throughout the city. In most cases, the complaint is handled through compliance or mutual resolution. The police department has made numerous contacts with the affected citizen and the business in an effort to work out an acceptable resolution. The business has made extensive purchases of sound muffling equipment and offered to begin parking lot work as late as possible in this particular lot. Reading decibels taken at the equipment have not shown to be in violation of the ordinance. Police have been instructed to strictly enforce the violations of the leaf blower, if they begin before the 8:00 a.m. allowable time per ordinance. The business restated their commitment to continue to work with police. The complainant will continue to contact the police department when violations are occurring.
Recommendation
The Public Safety Committee, recognizing the voluntary efforts at compromise made by the business as well as the enforcement and mediation efforts by police 1) recommends no action or revisiting the noise ordinance as it regards street sweeper noise, and 2) removal of this item fr...
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