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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA027 - Mayor's response to University Student City Committee suggestions ATE C� O� � 0� Gl � SF SK SS TMI TO : Council Members MINI FROM : Mayor Goodl and DATE : September 13, 1982 SUBJECT : University/Student/City Committee -- Noise Ordinance For what it's worth -- I think their suggestions are appropriate and would suggest that their ideas are the ones we should use. Ex. : Last Saturday there was a party at the house on Stanton on the corner of Donald. The girls covered all houses within a 12 block radius and said that they would be having a party. As far as I am concerned it worked quite well and they were through with their party by midnight which was what they had intended. Their noise permit expired at midnight and they had so informed the neighbors. This is the kind of interchange that we ought to have. They commented to me that as they were around the neighborhood all the neighbors have been helpful and friendly (so I told them to go see the mean Council Person down the street -- they said she was friendly also) . + � ss - University-Student -City Commission D.K. Holger Chairperson September 10, 1982 The Honorable F. Paul Goodland Mayor, City of Ames Administration Building Main and Pearle Streets Ames, Iowa 50010 Dear Mayor Goodland: Enclosed is a resolution which was unanimously passed by the University- Student-City Commission at its regular meeting held on August 27, 1982. We respectfully request that you transmit copies of the resolution to the city council members for their use in upcoming discussions concerning proposed revisions to the Ames Noise Ordinance. I would be happy to appear before the council to discuss the resolution if requested to do so. Additional discussion at the August 27 meeting included specific complaints regarding motorcycle and train noise in the vicinity of 6th Street between Duff and Grand Avenues and the general appearance of the area along West Street between Westgate Hall and Dugan' s. It was suggested that most of the problems on West Street, such as trash in yards and beer trucks double parked on West Street, could be resolved by reporting violators. It was further suggested that the city could designate the area as one where _ rental property inspections would be done on a more frequent basis. The commission asks that appropriate city officials consider this alternative. Sincerely, D K 4"V" D. K. Holger, Chairperson University-Student-City Commission DKH/asj Enclosure 2703 Meadow Glen Road, Ames, IA 50010 (515) 292-4466 APPROVED • • August 27, 1982 UNIVERSITY-STUDENT-CITY COMMISSION RESOLUTION WHEREAS: The University-Student-City Commission was formed for the purpose of serving in an advisory capacity to the "University Administration, the Government of the Student Body, and the City Council and is charged with the responsibility of providing a forum for the expression of concerns on matters pertaining to the community life of Ames , Iowa : e.g. , rental housing for students, motor vehicle and bicycle parking regulations , outdoor gatherings, amplified sound and music, transpor- tation service or any other matter which the commissioners deem to be an issue of mutual concern ," and WHEREAS: A proposed modification to the existing City of Ames Noise Ordinance has been brought to the Commission ' s attention by an Ad Hoc committee of Ames residents representing their own interests as well as neighbor- hood association interests , and WHEREAS: The Commission has extensively studied and discussed noise ordinances for the past two years and does not wish at this time to recommend a change in the current noise ordinance, and WHEREAS: The Commission feels , as expressed in a resolution passed in March 1981 , that the key to controlling noise pollution rests with the parties involved cooperating with each other in a manner which re- spects individuals rights and privacies , now therefore be it RESOLVED: That the University-Student-City Commission reaffirms the position taken in its resolution of March 1981 in which it strongly encouraged student groups and Ames residents to initiate discussions when outdoor gatherings are planned and to cooperate with each other in determining an acceptable noise level for both groups during planned as well as unplanned social gatherings, and be it further RESOLVED: That the University-Student-City Commission strongly encourages the Ames City Council to direct the City Manager to require evidence of the discussions mentioned above as part of an application for a permit for relief from the noise ordinance, and be it further RESOLVED: That the University-Student-City Commission strongly encourages the Ames City Council to require that copies of any citations issued for violations of the noise ordinance be sent to the owner of the property at which the violation occurred if the owner is other than the violator, and be it further RESOLVED: That the University-Student-City Commission encourages the City Council to direct the City Manager to hold neighborhood meetings for the purpose of discussing the noise ordinance and related issues. J& university-Student-City Commission D.K. Holger MINUTES OF MEETING Chairperson August 27, 1982 Members Present: Elaine Clark, John Harrod, Margi Healy, Dave Holger, Mary Ketelsen, Gary Stahl , Sue Weiss Others Present: Tom Greiner, Kathy Heissel The minutes of the meeting of July 16, 1982 were approved. Dave Holger handed out copies of a resolution on the noise crdinance he drafted as a result of our discussion at the last meeting. Sue Weiss raised the point that preventive education, such as, neighborhood meetings on the noise ordinance, had not been included in the resolution. The Commission decided to add the following: RESOLVED: That the University-Student-City Commission encourages the City Council to direct the City Manager to hold neighborhood meetings for the purpose of discussing the noise ordinance and related issues. In order to clarify the previous resolution, a phrase was added: RESOLVED: That the University-Student City Commission strongly encourages the Ames City Council to require copies of any citations issued for violations of the noise ordinance be sent to the owner of the property at which the violation occurred if the owner is other than the violator, and be it further It was moved by Cary Stahl and seconded by Elaine Clark to adopt the resolution as ammended. The resolution was unanimously adopted. Members who have changed their addresses and new members of the Commission need to let Dave Holger know their addresses so we can update the membership roster. The Commission elected Sue Weiss as Chairperson Pro-Tem. The Commission decided to hold monthly meetings during the second week of each month. Dave will check with the members not present to see if they can meet Fridays at noon. 2703 Meadow Glen Road, Ames, IA 50010 (515) 292-4466 Minutes of USCC Meeting • • August 27, 1982 Page 2 D. Holger reported a complaint he had received from a west side resident about West Street between Westgate Hall and Dugan's. She was concerned about the appearance of the neighborhood - trash in the yards , dogs chained to front porches, and beer trucks double parked. The Commission agreed that there was little the Commission could do about it and suggested that the complainant call the appropriate authorities. Sue Weiss outlined several alternatives that were available to deal with the issue. Dave Holger agreed to talk with the complainant. Tom Greiner discussed two problems related to the noise ordinance; problems with motorcycle noise and train noise. He stated there is a real problem with noisy motorcycles using Sixth Street. He had also investigated the laws related to trains signaling their approaches to cities and towns. While there is a need to warn people that a train is approaching a railroad crossing, it does not necessarily need to be done with both whistles and bells, particularly when there are gates at the crossing. Dave Holger stated that he will include these issues in the letter to the mayor with the resolution about the noise ordinance. Respectfully submitted, Margare� A. Healy