Amador County – In an early May public hearing, Ione City Council discussed a draft noise ordinance, which drew criticism from the public.

City Manager Kim Kerr said municipal code only addresses “public nuisances,” and doesn’t apply to every noise complaint, nor do all complaints concern time of day, so interpretation “becomes very subjective.” An ordinance would “remove the subjectivity.”

City Planner Christopher Jordan said the ordinance was drafted from other cities’ ordinances. It included noise decibel limitations, and would require buying a decibel meter and calibrating equipment for $3,100. Kerr said the city had $1,100 invested in the issue so far, including advertising the public hearing.

Kerr said JTS Community rules have been applied to the city but “there was nothing on the books that allowed us to enforce those rules.” She said the council could try to address some scenarios in the ordinance, such as noise from a party at Pardee Lake, or bicycle riders shouting during rides through town.

In public comment, James Nevine complained repeatedly of a neighbor who uses “bullhorns and whistles out in front of the house,” to celebrate birthdays. Laurie Lord said trying to fix a problem for one or two people will “throw a blanket on the rest of us,” though “it would be nice to have guidelines to go by.”

Kerr reiterated that one complaint was not addressed by city code, and was therefore not in the city’s power to resolve. Gary Thomas said it was “going over the edge” with an ordinance. He said he resolved a noise issue with 40 neighbors in an apartment complex, with the help of police, who then spoke to the residents.

Councilman Lloyd Oneto said he would like to level the playing field, but if they “put in more teeth, it could come back to bite you.”

Jack Brotherton said the city should have a budget going into these things,” and “front-end” the budget, so that you don’t have to count the money as you go. He said “somebody celebrating their birthday with a bullhorn at 2 a.m. is unacceptable.” Judy Eisner said she works nights, and “your ordinance wouldn’t allow me to complain.”

Mayor David Plank said they should “make something very simple to address this issue.” Vice Mayor Ron Smylie said letting a good community work out the issue was “better than having a 5-page ordinance.” Kerr said “I agree, but we do have complaints which we can’t resolve at that level.” She said they could make changes and further clarification in city code, but “unfortunately, one line” in the city code about public nuisances “cannot resolve all of the issues.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.