City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED:6/1/2017 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Thursday, May 18, 2017 5:30PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Morin - 5:31 p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5 - Anthony Sabatini; Marie Aliberti; Linda Bob; Carla Gnann-Thompson ; and Robert Morin I. Workshop Item 16373 Discussion on Proposed Noise Ordinance Ron Neibert, City Manager, introduced the Mount Dora noise ordinance noting that it has been reviewed for constitutionality and enforceability. He stated it is a comprehensive ordinance that defines violations, exceptions, and the issuance of noise pennits. II. Commission Discussion The Commission commented on the length of the ordinance with Mr. Neibert explaining that noise ordinances tend to be lengthy due to the comprehensiveness of the issue. The Commission also questioned how situations would be handled, expressed concern regarding placing more of a load on the City's police officers, questioned how many noise complaints the City receives and emphasized the need to work with residents living close together. Chief Calhoun responded that the City does not have a large number of complaints and stated that it would not be utilized frequently. He explained that officers would provide warnings first but they need to have some enforcement ability in the case of multiple violations. He indicated that enforcement would be tempered with reasonableness. He stated that if someone is doing construction on their home and have to use a hammer at 3 p.m., that's reasonable. If they're doing it at 3 a.m., that's not reasonable. Discussion was held regarding time limitations and the possible need to mow one's lawn at 7:00a.m. due to summer heat with Mr. Neibert indicating that the ordinance currently allows 9 a.m. but it could be changed to 7 a.m. Chief Calhoun stated the ordinance is just needed for those few situations where the offending person is not willing to reduce noise for their neighbors. The Commission con finned that if the ordinance is approved and it later becomes a problem, that it could be reconsidered. The Commission reviewed the landscaping restrictions and the issues with vehicles playing loud music while driving through neighborhoods. Mr. Neibert explained the City will purchase decibel meters that can be used to measure noise from a vehicle. He stated they would advise the individuals they are in violation, if they still don't adhere, they can then issue a citation. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 512512017 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final May 18, 2017 The Commission questioned the cost and number to be purchased with Chief Calhoun indicating they would be purchasing four decibel meters for $500 which would have one in each shift vehicle. Further discussion was held regarding the loud music from vehicles and how that would be handled. III. Public Input Gary Ashcraft asked if the ordinance would address 'jakebraking " from large trucks. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission to add a section to the ordinance prohibiting jake braking. Gail Isaac Thomas expressed concern regarding vehicles driving past with loud music and asked the hours included in the ordinance. Mr. Neibert explained that officers will try to locate the violator if they receive a complaint. If they are out patrolling and encounter a violation, they can pull them over. He cited the quiet hours within the ordinance as follows: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Saturday evenings and all other nights 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. He provided a copy of the ordinance to Ms. Isaac Thomas. IV. Commission Direction CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission to move forward with the ordinance with the addition of the 'jakebraking" prohibition. V. Adjournment - 5:50 p.m. ~fi< City Clerk Mayor/Comm issioner *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and click on the video for the meeting in question. A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee . City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 512512017