After reviewing a draft noise ordinance during their May 27 meeting, Grand Marais city councilors sent it back to the drawing board for further revision, saying it was far more complicated than what they had envisioned.
“We want to keep it as simple as possible,” said Councilor Bill Lenz. Mayor Sue Hakes agreed. “I didn’t anticipate licensing or permitting,” she said.
The four-page document entitled “An Ordinance Regulating Use of Outdoor Sound Amplification Devices” that was presented to council by City Attorney Don Davison and Administrator Mike Roth was the result of a discussion at council’s prior meeting. At that time, however, councilors asked that the ordinance not be too technical, be lenient, business friendly and simple to enforce.
It was even suggested that the ordinance could be only a simple paragraph or two, outlining when outdoor music was permitted in the downtown business district. There was no desire by council to include enforcement measures that would involve decibel readings.
Davison said, however, that the longer document was necessary. “The doors are wide open without it,” he said of the suggested permitting process, which he said would act as a brake on outdoor activities. In response to concerns that the ordinance was too complicated and spelled out unnecessary and unwanted procedures and policies, Davison said a business would be able to apply for its permit once for the entire summer — not every time a band was scheduled.
Asked if, for instance, a neighborhood garage band would need a permit to practice, Davison said the proposed ordinance would only be in effect in the downtown district.
Still, council disagreed that all the suggested rules and regulations were needed.
“This comes at it from a whole different angle,” observed Councilor Kay Costello. “This is kind of a crazy thing we’re getting into. Most small towns don’t have this,” she said.
Councilors Jan Sivertson and Tim Kennedy said they also preferred to keep the new ordinance as simple as possible. “We can wait and see if it’s a problem, then get into all that,” Sivertson said of the plan to implement a permitting process. Kennedy said, “If it proliferates (loud outdoor music) and we get many complaints, then we can do something… but I’d like to see businesses be able to keep doing what they’re doing without the threat of being shut down.”
Council spent some time discussing the framework for a revision of the draft, and decided that outdoor music should be allowed from 9 a.m. to midnight, with no differentiation between seasons or days of the week. In addition, exceptions to the time restriction for special events such as Fisherman’s Picnic or the Dragon Boat Festival will still be considered; it was believed a daily 1 a.m. curfew on music was too late and would be poorly received by the public.
Davison said he would draft a new ordinance using the agreed-upon parameters and conditions in time for council consideration June 10. A public hearing will be held once an acceptable draft is approved. It is still hoped the new ordinance can be adopted and put in place in time for the upcoming summer and fall busy seasons.
In other city news: „ A work session was held to discuss the city’s capital improvements plan.
The topic was prompted by a need to have some “shovel-ready” projects prepared in the event federal stimulus money becomes available. Roth presented a list of a couple dozen possibilities, categorized as “projects ready to go,” “projects ready with some effort,” and “projects not ready.” Council reviewed the list and began making priorities. The list includes such projects as equipment replacement or upgrade, ditch and culvert improvements, fire hydrant replacement, utility reconstruction and building construction.
There was consensus that priority should be given to practical projects that benefit not only the city, but local contractors and businesses as well.
Roth said he would prepare a more specific list for council consideration
based on those recommendations.
„ D an Anderson was granted a permit to conduct scenic air tours, using
the beach on the Red Pine Realty property in the East Bay, and the harbor when necessary due to wind and waves. Anderson has done the tours in the city harbor previously, and most recently conducts business on Devil Track Lake. Anderson told council he will use a slightly larger aircraft than
he has used in the city before (a Cessna 182 four-passenger plane), and
will limit the offerings to between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
„ Chamber of Commerce Director Bev Wolke was granted a permit for the
annual Classic Car Show and parade on Artist Point June 13 and for the
Fourth of July festivities that include a 6 p.m. parade, sidewalk vendors
and fireworks.
„ A discussion was held concerning noncompliance with the 90-minute
parking zones in the downtown business district. Hakes said she received a call from a business owner, who said most of the offenders are business owners and their employees, and asked if something could be done, such as requiring employees to park north of the highway or in the municipal lot. Wolke said she would send a letter to downtown business owners
asking them to be mindful of the 90-minute restriction and to park elsewhere
when possible.
„ A permit was granted to North Shore Federal Credit Union, allowing it
to relocate a propane tank into the city’s right of way. Council voted to
require payment of an annual $25 fee.
„ Councilor Bill Lenz gave an update on the park master planning process,
and said he was pleased with the public’s response and participation in
the recent listening session. There were 25 replies, he said, which is better
than ever.
„ A ttorney Davison reported that local law enforcement officials are preparing
for the possibility of a visit from the Hell’s Angels during Fisherman’s Picnic. The renowned motorcycle organization is holding a gathering in
Carlton County that weekend, said Davison, and may elect to travel up
the North Shore.
„ Mayor Hakes reported that the county board has given its approval to
a controversial AT V ordinance that will allow use of the county roads. However, she said, the issue of driving AT Vs on state-aid roads within the city is still unclear and wasn’t addressed in the new ordinance. The city has already gone on the record as saying it has no problem with AT Vers using all city streets.
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