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1 CityCouncil,CityofRichmond,Virginia MeetingTranscripts SamuelsTylerNoiseOrdinanceDiscussions Contents: Page Date Meeting 01 Timeline OrdinanceNo.2009236. 02 2010Jan19 PublicSafetyCommitteemeeting. 10 2010Feb22 CityCouncilFormalmeeting. OrdinanceNo.2011119. 26 2011Jun27 CityCouncilInformalmeeting. 33 2011Jul05 OrganizationalDevelopmentComm.meeting. Note:Portionsinparenthesissummarizediscussions.Some portionsofdiscussionsomitted. Timeline: 2009Apr17.SupremeCourtofVirginiadeclares"unreasonably loud"standardinnoiseordinancesunconstitutional. 2009May12.CityofVirginiaBeachadoptsareplacementnoise ordinance.(25daysaftercourtdecision) 2009Dec14.CityofRichmondCouncilintroducesaproposed replacementnoiseordinance.(8monthsaftercourtdecision) 2010Feb22.Counciladoptsordinance. 2010Apr14.Citizenscitedforviolatingordinance. 2010Nov30.Courtinvalidatesordinance 2011Jun13.Councilintroducesproposedordinance#2. 2011Jul25.Counciladoptsordinance#2.

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2 =========================================================== ExcerptsfromPublicSafetyCommitteemeeting.January19,2010 OrdinanceNo.2009236. SAMUELS:Firstofall,thispaperwasbroughtaboutinamostunique way.TherewasabarinVirginiaBeachthatwasplayingloudmusicand thepolicewerecalled.Theownerdecidedthattheydidn'twanttoturn downthemusic.Theywereissuedacitation.Theyfoughtitfrom GeneralDistrictCourtallthewayuptotheSupremeCourtofVirginia. SupremeCourtofVirginiaagreedwiththemthatthewaytheVirginia Beachordinancewaswrittenthecodeisunconstitutionalandcouldn't beenforced.ThateffectivelymadethebulkofVirginia'snoise ordinancesunconstitutional.Thishappened...latespring,earlysummer, Ibelieve.OverthenextsixmonthsthecityofRichmondwascarefuland watchedtoseewhatotherjurisdictionsweredoing.Howtodothis.The attorneyforthepoliceactuallyaskedforlittlebitoftimetoseewhere theCommonwealthjurisdictionsingeneralweregoingtodeterminethe bestwaytoensurethenewlypromulgated,anewnoiseordinance,that itwouldstanduptoconstitutionalscrutiny.Andthat'swhatyouhave beforeyoutoday.Toaddressthespecificissuesthatwerebroughtup today,I'mgoingtostartwithhowdoyouenforcethis.Thenoise ordinanceaswrittenincludesasectionthatprovidesaviolationofitisa classIImisdemeanor.Thatmeansthatit'sacrimepunishablebyupto sixmonthsinjailandafineofupto$1500,maybe$1000.Andthe burdenofproofwouldbeontheCommonwealth'sattorneyorthecity attorneytoshowthatinfactthenoiseordinancewasviolatedbeyonda reasonabledoubt.Inordertomakesurethatthatwassomethingthat couldbeaccomplished,wehadtotakeoutwordssuchas "objectionable"anythingthatwasarbitraryandputinobjective,fact specificlanguage.That'swhyyouseethephrase"plainlyaudible." That'swhyyouseethesesortsofwordsinthenewnoiseordinanceto ensurethatyouwon'thavethesameproblemsthatyousawintheold noiseordinance.AsIfliptoittoaddressthespecificsthatwe'veheard today,inorderofappearance,Ms.Reardon,subsection2of18,excuse me,of3831willreadthat"itisprohibitedtoallownoisebetweenthe hoursof12AMand7AMthatisplainlyaudibleinsidetheconfinesofa dwellingunit,house,orapartmentofanotherperson."NowIknowthat won'thelpyouduringthedaytimehoursbutprovidedthattheirHVAC isworkingyou'regonnahaveitrunbothatdayandnight.Andthat shouldresolvethatsituation.Ms.Nrnberg,IknowthatyouandI exchangedemailsearlierthisspringontheStewartAvenuenoisenext door,excuseme,[unintelligible]youcopiedmeonabunchofthose emails.Andtoaddressyoursituation,ifyoulookatsubsection1, you'regoingtoseethatplayinganysortofmusicthatisplainlyaudible insidetheconfinesofadwellinghouseofanotherpersonor50feetor morefromthedeviceisnotallowedbetweenthehoursof11and7AM. And,Mr.Circle,Ithinkperhapssubsectionfourmightsolveyour problemthat"toplayedorpermittheplayingofanyradio,stereo,tape player,compactdiscplayer,etc.,whichislocatedwithinamotorvehicle

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3 andisplainlyaudiblefromoutsidethemotorvehicleatadistanceof50 feetormore."Thisdoesnotaddressthehorn.Theonlyhornhonking thatthishasanexceptionforistocauseanalarmasinacaralarms whensomeoneisbreakinginorambulances,firetrucks,policethatare inemergencymode.Thatkindofthingisaclearexceptiontothisrule. Butthisordinanceshouldaddressallofthoseissues.Idowanttosay thisthough.Weliveinacommunity,especiallyinthemoredensely populatedareasofthecity,whereyousharealotofspacewithyour neighbors.And,thisisnotmeanttoattackanyone,anyagegroup,or anythingelse,asfarasitsenforcement.Whatit'smeanttodoistoboth respectthepropertyownersrightsandthepropertyownersprivacyon bothsideswiththehopesthatpeoplewillbeabletogetalongtogether andunderstandthatwhenyouliveinacommunityyouhavetotakein notonlyyourowndesiresandwishesbutthoseofyourneighbors. (Citizenaskedforclarification.) SAMUELS:11to7,11PMto7AMforyoursituation.Noiseofanykind betweenthehoursofmidnightand7AM. (Citizenaskedhowitisenforceableduringtheday.) SAMUELS:Well,enforceableduringthedayisadifferentsubject. Duringthedayyou'regoingtohaveaslightlydifferentissueandIwill providedittoyounow. (StafftoldSamuelswheretoread.) SAMUELS:"Touse,play,oroperatebetweenthehoursof7AMand11 PM."Andthenitgoesontolistthosethingswhichwouldcause problems.NowIknowthisisn't...I'mhappyto...Iknowthisisn't technicallythepubliccommentperiod.Thisisjustanintroductionto thepaper.I'mgonnaturnitbackovertoMs.TrammellandthenI'm gonnalether...takeover. NEWBILLE:Askedwherethesanctionswereprovided. SAMUELS:UnderBof3831.I'msorry,it'sonpage7.Nowofcourse thepolicehaveacoupleofoptions.Theycouldissueasummons.I guesstechnicallytheycouldarrestsomeoneforthis.Ortheycouldissue awarningandtellthemtoturnitdowniftheyhavetocomebackthey maybecharged. (CitizencommentaboutHVACnoise.) SAMUELS:Andtosolve,solveyourproblem,itjusthastorunatatime thatit'sillegaltomakethismuchnoise.Ithinktheproblemisduringthe daymorenoiseisexpectedanditwouldbemoredifficulttoenforcethe ordinance,moredifficulttogetaconviction,werewetodosilence throughoutthecity24hoursaday.

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4 (Citizenaskedquestionaboutenforcement.) SAMUELS:You'dhavetoaskthepolicetheirproceduresforenforcing thelawbutthisdoesprovidethepenalty,amethodwithwhichtheycan issuecitations,andrulesunderwhichtheycanissuethem. (CitizencommentaboutHVACnoise.) TYLER:Ifyourwindowiswideopen,thatsoneconversation.Ifyour widowisshut,itsgoingtobeanother.Theresnotamechanicalunit sittingonpropertythatcantbeheard.Youknow.SoIthinkyouvegot tounderstandthat,youknow,thisisyoubeingreasonableintryingto reducethenoisecomingintoyourhouse,andIthinkthat'sthewaythis ordinanceiswritten.Windowsshut,etc.,etc. GRAZIANO:Ifyouhave...I'mjustthinkingwhenwesayclearly audible,Ihaveanairconditioningsystem.Icanhearitwhenitgoeson inmyhouse.Ifmyhousewasrealclosetomynextdoorneighbors house.Ijusthavearegularoldairconditioningunit.Myneighborcould hearme. TYLER:Wewanttotalktoyouaboutthat. GRAZIANO:Butmyneighbor,ifIlivedveryclosetomyneighbor,my neighborwouldhearitgoon.Isthatsothatcouldaffectmost everybodyinthecitythatlivesnexttooneanother.Whatsthe definitionofclearlyaudible? SAMUELS:Plainlyaudible. TYLER:Ithink,Ithink,thisis,thisisthepointofdiscussionbecause what,whathappensisyouhavemanydifferentlocations,central locations,whereyoucanlocateyourmechanicalunit.And,indoingso, youhavetobecognizantofthenoisethatitsgoingtogeneratetothe adjacentpropertyowner.Andthefolksthatareinstallingthesethings aregoingtohavearesponsibilitytocheckthatoutpriortoits installation.Inthemuseumdistrict,forexample,manyoftheseunits areonroofs.Peopleliterallyputthemonskidsandputthemonthe roofs.Andthatshowtheyhandlethesituationinamoredenseurban area.Inmyneighborhood,thesituationismyairconditioningunitis nearmypropertylineandmyneighborhashisnexttomineandwe bothheareachothers.And,youknow.It's,it'sclearthatsapairing. Wevechosentogethertoputourunitsandrespectthat. GRAZIANO:Iunderstandthat.But,myquestiontoyouisdoyousell yourhousetome TYLER:Right,andyoudontlikeyounextdoneighbor.

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5 GRAZIANO:Yeah. TYLER:Then,thatsanissue.[chuckles] Citizen:Inoursituation,thepersonmovedtheunitthatwasfunctioning inthebackoftheirhouse.Thepersonmovedtheunitsothatiswasnt anissue TYLER:Itwasntanissueanditbecameanissue. Citizen:Imwonderingifithelpstomakethatpartofit.Ijustwantto makesurethatoursisaddressedbecausewewerethere,somebody movedin,decidedtomovetheunitbecausetheywantedtoadd somethingtothebackoftheirhouse. TYLER:And,theyhavetwooptions.One,theycanrelocatetheunit.Or, two,theycanputacousticalbafflearoundtheunittoreducethenoise. Andthosearetwothingsthatcanclearlybedone,butitisuptothe propertyownertodothat. (Citizenaskedaboutpartiesinthebackyardduringtheday.Andnoise fromparties.) SAMUELS:(readpartofproposedordinanceregardingreproduced sound.) Citizen:Itsnotjusttheplayingsomething.Itsyoungpeoplenextme haveloudvoices.Theyhavefowllanguageandtheysitinthebackyard andscream,whethertheyareplayingsomethingornot.Theyre screamingandlaughingloudlyanddrinkingandIcantsitonmyback deckinpeace. SAMUELS:Andthatswherethecommunityissuecomesin.Because,if weweretocraftanordinancethatperfectlyaddressedeachandevery issue,wewouldthecityofRichmondwouldbeenteringthecodeof silence.Sowehavetobeabletomakesurethatthecommunitygetsto havequiteenjoymentoftheirpropertywhilestillunderstandingthatin areasthatareascompactastheFanorCarverortheMuseumdistrict orRandolphthatpeoplestillareabletoenjoytheirproperty. Citizen:Well,theycanenjoytheirpropertybutImnotableenjoymine. SAMUELS:Thatsthedifficultbalancethatwearetryingtoworkwith. Citizen:Iunderstandthatitsadifficultbalance,butintheFanit'san issue. SAMUELS:Itis.Itisanissue. (Citizendescribedthesituationwithherneighbor.)

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6 SAMUELS:Well,letmegiveyouthisrecommendation.Ifthatoccurs wouldsubsection2[unintelligible]? Citizen:Butthat[unintelligible]7AM. SAMUELS:I'msorry.I'mlookingatthewrong....Oh,Iseewhatyou're saying. (Citizen:There'snothing,innumbertwoonpage6...I'dliketosee somethingaddedthereduringthedaybecausethisisaproblem...Not justmebut...) SAMUELS:Itis.Ithinktheproblemthatyou'regoingtohaveisthat's alsogoingtoimpacttheabilitiesof...Well,[unintelligible]thenyoudoa problem.Buttherearesomenoisesthatlivinginthecityyouhaveto accept. Citizen:Reasonablenoise.Howwouldyouliketohave30or40kidsin theyardnexttoyouthatyoushareafencewith? SAMUELS:Ivegottwopartywalls.Iknowexactlywhatyoumean. Citizen:Letmeaskthecityattorney,whyisitnotpossible,orisit possibletoaddressthatinsomeform. CityAttorney:Asfarasthespecifics,IllleaveittomembersofCouncil. (Citizenaskedaboutcontrollingloudcarstereos.) SAMUELS:Aslongasit'saudiblefromatleast50feetthepolicecando somethingaboutit.Theycangivethem,theycangivehim,theycan givethemasummonsandthejudgecangivethemuptosixmonthsin jailand500...Thepolicehavetobeabletohavehearditfrom50feet away. (Citizenaskedaboutwhatshecando.) SAMUELS:Well,Iguesstheargumentisyoucouldrundown,youcould gethislicenseplatenumber,rundowntothemagistrate'sofficeand swearoutawarrant.Butforthetimethatyou'regoingtobeatthe stoplightnexttohim,Iguessthequestionisisthatworthyourtime. (Citizenelaboratedontheproblem.) SAMUELS:Andthatwouldbeanenforcementissueforthepoliceto decideiftheywanttoputacarwherethisisoccurringregularlytopull carsover[unintelligible].

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7 TRAMMELL:(Askedwhethertheordinanceaddressescommercial machinenoiseineveningthataffectsresidentialarea.) SAMUELS:Well,itdependsonwhattheyaredoingthere.Thisisnota panacea.Thisreplacestheunconstitutionallanguageintheold ordinance.But,whatitdoesdoislayoutthemostcommonthingthat causerealproblemswithinthecityofRichmond.Forexampleinyours youmightcouldlookinsubsection9or10,ifit's,dependingonwhat kindofproductiontheyarerunning.Andthatwouldbesomethingfor thepolicetodecideifit'swithinoneofthesecategories. TRAMMELL:(Describedthesituation.) Citizen:Iforgottoask.Regardingpoliceenforcement,doyouthinkthat thehighfines,includingsixmonthspotentialjail,willmakethepolice hesitanttoenforcethis? Police: Citizen:3831(a)(1),wouldntthatapplytoyoursituation:Touse, operateorplaybetweenhoursof7:00a.m.and11:00p.m.any machineordevicecapableofproducingorreproducingsound SAMUELS:Thatsanexcellentpoint.Thatsanexcellentpoint.Itsounds likeitwould. (Citizenaskedifthetimerestrictiononlyappliestodwellings.) SAMUELS:LetmemakesureIunderstandyourquestion.Noisefrom dwellings,you'rewonderingiftherearedifferenttimerestrictionsthan noisefromvehicles.Between7AMand11PMiswhat'scoveredunder thefirstsectionandthenthelastsentencetheresaysandthenbetween thehours11PMand7AMonlytheoperatorofthedeviceshouldbe abletohearthedevice. (Citizenelaboratedontheproblem.) SAMUELS:Oh,forcarsit's24hoursaday. GRAZIANO:Whenyousayplainlyaudible,wouldyoudefinethatfor me. SAMUELS:Yes,Plainlyaudiblemeansabletobeheardbytheperson eitherattheprescribeddistanceorwithinthehouseofanotherinsuch amannerthatitisclearwhatthenoiseis. PoliceAttorney:Police,weareverysatisfiedforthemostpartwiththis. AsCouncilmanSamuelshadmentionedwewereemailingbackand forthinregardstothis.Idowanttoaddresssomequestions... (Mentionednoisefromvehicles,penalties)...3831(a)(5)...aproposed

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8 amendmentfrompolicewouldbetochangethisto350feetforthe exhaustwithregardstomotorcycles...Asidefromthatwefullyendorse it...Idoseetheplainlyaudibleissue.Idontknow,ifwedontdefineit, ifit'snecessarilyclear.Wemaywanttodefineit.... (DiscussionbetweenTrammellandpoliceregardingrespondingto complaints.) TRAMMELL:...Doweknowhowmanyticketshavebeenwrittenforthe noiseordinance? PoliceAttorney:Ihavethatinformation.Icangiveyouhowmany summonswereissued,howmanycallswerespondedto,andIcanemail thattoeachofyou. (Policedescribedproblemswithapprehendingoffenders.) (Discussedproblemwithmotorcycles.) PoliceOfficial:....IthinkandIhatetosayitthatwaybutthat'sacivility issueandaneighborissue.I'mnotsurethatthepolicecansolveevery issue... (Citizencontinueddiscussingmotorcycleproblem.) Citizen:...Ihaveaskedforhowmanytimesthepolicehaveactually enforcedthenoiseordinancewithinthecityofRichmondandIhave neverbeengiventhatinformation. (Discussionofproblem,Sector412) PoliceAttorney:Iamgoingtogiveyoumycardthiseveningandyoucan contactmeandwedotheresponsesasfarasrequests.Imfamiliarwith thisbutonceyoucontactuswellgetyouthatinformation. (Morediscussionaboutmotorcycles.) SAMUELS:Letmemakethisrecommendation.Becausewearecurrently operatinginthecitywithoutanecessaryorappreciatedtoolinthe policeofficerstoolbelt,becausewearenotoperatinginthecitywitha waytohelppeopleenjoytheirtimeintheirhome,outsidetheirhomes, Irecommendthatweforwardthistocouncilwitharecommendation forapprovaleitherasitisorwiththechangeto350feetforthe motorcycleandthenwelookandseehowisitbehaving.Isthis ordinanceactingasweexpectedorissomethinghappeningthatsnot working.Letsputitinplacetogivepolicebackthisnecessarytooland thenamenditifweneedto.Iwillcopatronanamendmentwiththe membershavingtroubleifitssomethingthatisclearlynecessary.But,I recommendthatwemoveitforwardtocouncilasitisfornow.

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9 TYLER:Iwanttofollowuponthat.Ifwemakeanyamendmentstothis paper,whichwearecontemplatingthisoneof350,isthatamaterial changethatwillforceustohavetocontinuethepaper. CityAttorney:Ifthereareanyamendmentstothispaperthe amendmentswillbeconsideredbyfullcouncilatitsnextmeetingand theywouldvoteonittwomeetingsfromnow. TYLER:Alright,wellthen,mysuggestionwouldbe,ifImayMr.Samuels, issuggestthatwebringthispaperforwardknowingthatwewould amenditafterweseehowitworkssothatwewouldget,sothatweget thisinplacerealizingthatitmayhaveaflawinit.Imofthephilosophy thatIdontwanttowaitanothermonthonthis. SAMUELS:Ithinkthatmakesgoodsense. GRAZIANO:Madamechair,Idjustliketosaythatifthepolice departmentownseightHarleysandwepassanordinancethatsaysto thepoliceyoucantdrivethoseHarleys,Ithinkthat'saproblem. (Discussionaboutnecessityforanamendment.) SAMUELS:TheonlyquestionIhave.Mr.Lukanuski.LetmemakesureI understand.Changingthedistancewouldbeconsideredforwouldnot beconsideredamaterialchange. Lukanuski:Itwouldbe. (Discussionaboutpreparingamendmentandprocess.) SAMUELS:...ItwouldhavetobeeitherMs.Newbille'sorMs.Trammell's motion. [(Motiontoamendandinsert350feetformotorcycles.]

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10 =========================================================== ExcerptsfromCityCouncilFormalmeeting.February22,2010 OrdinanceNo.2009236. [Remarkspriortovote.] CONNER:IamacopatronofthispaperandthispaperIsupport. I knowinmydistrictIvegotasituationthatonSaturdaysandSundays, Fridaysevenings,theresmusiccomingfroma[unintelligible] MidlothianturnpikeandIvealwaystriedtogetthepolicetointerject andthisissobadthatpeoplefiveblocksawaycantbeoutintheirback yardbecausetheycantheartheirownconversationoverthisnoise.So, [unintelligible]toinstructourpolicedepartment,whoever,togetthis problemdowntoalevelthatislivable.So,Iforonedoappreciatethis ordinanceandwillsupportit. JEWELL:Yes.Mr.Taylormadesomegoodpointsaboutthenoise ordinance.Itsbadorsick,butcurrentlybecauseoftheSupremeCourt ruling,theVirginiaBeachcase,wehavenocurrentnoiseordinance. And,whilewerecognizethatwecandoabetterjobandthankstothe goodworkofMr.CharlesSamuels,Iexpectthatthatwilloccursoon. Butwehavetohavesomethinginplaceinthewayoflawagainstnoise. Wevegotallkindsofnoise.Wecantforgetthatweliveinacity.We dontliveoutintheruralarea.Werenotinsuburbia.Weareacityand wearegoingtohavenoises.[unintelligible]expectreasonablenoise. Whatisreasonable?Whatisnormal?Thehoursofthedaymakelife evenmorecomplicatedwhenyoutrytocraftalawofthisnature.We havepeoplewhoworkatnightandsleepintheday.Theywouldrather itbequite.Youvegotdogsanddogsthatdoprettyfineatnightatthe footofthebedbutyouletthemoutinthedayandtheygocrazy.Some ofuslivenearcommercialsites.Youdthinkyouwerenexttogasoline alley,withenginesrampedupandblasting,motorcyclesbeingrepaired, andallthatcrazydoingsduringtheday,letaloneatnight.Itisa complicatedthingtocomeupwithsomethingassubjectiveaswhatis noise.But,wehavetohavesomething.Wearegoingtoprobablyvote thisup.Andthenwegotoworktofixit.And,Ithinkwewillget gentlemensagreementthatallofuswouldwanttogetanyinputfrom thepublicthatwecanhaveaswetrytocomeupwithasensible balancednoiseordinance. HILBERT:Iamalsoacopatronofthisordinance,butIhavetosaythat mycolleague,CharlesSamuels,didtheyeomansworkonthisandI thankyou,Charles,forthat.Thisisnot,asMr.Jewellindicated,avery easyissue,butitissomethingthatweneedinplace.And,thisistrue thatyoucantlegislatemoralitynorcanyoulegislateconsiderationfor others,butIthinkthisis,bottomline,apleaforconsiderationofyour neighbors.Andoftenwhencraftinglegislation,thisiscertainlynot science,itcanbehard.AndIthinkthisisaperfectinstancewhereyou cansaythatwecannotmaketheperfecttheenemyofthegoodand

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11 thisisagoodpaperandwewillcontinuetoworktotryandmakeit better.Butintheabsenceofanordinance,Ifeelitsanobligationofthis counciltogivethepeopleanordinancenowandwecanworktomakeit betterinthefuture.Andwewelcomeanyinputfromthepublicaswe havereceivedthisevening. NEWBILLE:Iamalsoapatrononthispaper.Iam100%infavorofa goodnoiseordinancethatallowsfortheenjoymentofourcitybyallof ourcitizensinpeaceandtranquilitythatcertainlycomesaspartof beingaresidenthere.AtthesametimeIwanttobevigilantthat whateveryoupassisconstitutional,thatitminimizesunintentional consequences.Ihavealotofhomerenovationthatgoesoninmy district,asmanyothers.Someofthosehoursduringthesummer,we havedaylightandsopeoplewouldbeinclinedtobeworkingandthey mightverywellbeinviolationofourordinance.But,whatIunderstand frommycolleagueandIthinkIamforit,isthatwewillafterpassing thisordinance,immediatelyhewillconveneataskgroupthatwillwork todothefurtherrefinementnecessarytomakesurethatthisisthekind ofordinancethatweallwant[unintelligible].Ithankhimforit. TRAMMELL:FirstofallIacknowledgeCharlesSamuelsforresearching allofthisandforcomingforwardwiththisnoiseordinance,becauseI knowforyearsIhaveputupwithloudmusic,dogsbarkingallnight long,alldaylong.Andcallthepolice,tellthemtoshutup,whentheygo away,thedogsbarkagain,themusicgoessoloudthattheplatesand yourpictures,wellyourwallsstartvibratingandthentheyfinallystart fallingdownbecausethemusicissoloud.Ihavesomebodyinmy districtthatIwouldliketothank.Sheaskedmynottomentionher name.Shewentoutthere,oneday,andgot75namesfromthe3rd district,5thdistrict,6thdistrict,7thdistrict,8thdistrict,and9thdistrict. Andshewashopingthatthepapermightbecontinuedsothatshe couldgetaboutthreetofourhundrednames.Thatiswhatshewas goingfor.But,anyway,Ithankherfordoingthis.Andalso,sinceIhave beensittingheretonight,Ivegottenseveralemailsfrompeoplefrom the8thdistrictsayingpleasepassthis.IevenhadsomeonefromBrook Gardencomedownheretonightandspokeinfavorofthepaper becauseintheirneighborhoodtheyhadlittlesignsthatwereputup aboutthenoiseordinance.Theyhaditoneveryblock.And,Idliketo havethatin,Iguess,inmyneighborhood.Becauseitsaysitwillbe enforced.Shehas,ithasthenoiseordinance,everything,thecode,all that,onhere.Andagain,thatsinBrookGardensubdivision.Soagain, Idliketothankmycolleague,CharlesSamuels,andImgladIma copatrononthepaperandtosaythankyouforallthatyoudid.And,I thinkthisisintherightdirection. SAMUELS:Firstofall,Iwanttothankmycolleaguesoncitycouncilfor theirsupport.Rightnow,[unintelligible]inthesethings.Ialsowantto thankallthemembersoftheseconddistrictthathavewrittenme, askedmewherethestatusisofthenoiseordinance,whencanwecome downandsupportit.Iappreciateallofyoursupport.SinceApril,2009,

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12 ournoiseordinanceinthecityofRichmondhasbeenunconstitutional andunenforceable.Afterspeakingwithfamiliesintheseconddistrict,I decidedtosponsorthisordinancetobringournoisepollutionlawsinto compliancewiththestatelaw.Incraftingthisordinance,Ialsostudied manyrevisionstonoiseordinancesthroughoutthecommonwealthand thenation.IlookedatNewJerseytoIllinois,throughoutallofVirginia. AndIfoundonethatIbelieve,basedonourresearch,willbringour noiseordinanceintocompliancewiththecourtsrulingwhich invalidatedouroldnoiseordinance.But,letmebeclear.Thisisnot goingtofixeveryprobleminvolvingnoiseinourcity.Itdoescorrectthe problemslaidoutintheVirginiaSupremeCourtsdecisionwhich invalidated[unintelligible]noiseordinance.Iknowthatsomeare concernedthatitmaybeoverbroad.Myargumentwouldbesimply this:almostnothinghaschangedfromtheoldnoiseordinancetothe newnoiseordinance.Thedifferenceisahundredandfiftyextrafeet regardingmotorcyclesandanewexemptionforemergencyvehicles. Someareconcerned...excuseme.Thereisnothingherethatyou couldnthavebeencitedforinthepastthatthatyoucanthavethem citedforaswell.Someareconcernedthataclass2misdemeanoristoo harshapunishment.Bywayofexample,Henricotoournorth,east,and westisaclass1misdemeanor,whichisupto12monthsinjailanda fineof$2,500.Chesterfieldpreviouslywasacriminalviolationaswell. Itisnowaminimumfineof$100,itsamaximumfineof$500pluscourt costs.Forfolkswhoareconcernedaboutthestatusofhavingaclass2 misdemeanorasthepunishment,Iwouldremindthemthatthatisthe maximum.Thereisnolawthatsaysthathastobethepunishment. Wesawajudgeandaprosecutorinheretoday.Iworkwiththemona dailybasis.Ihavenothingbutrespectforboththegentlemen.The judgesandtheprosecutorsinthecityofRichmondareintelligentfolks whoworkhardtoinsurethatjusticeisserved.InthegreaterRichmond area,theaveragepenaltyforanoiseordinanceviolationisa$25fine. However,IdobelievethatthereshouldbetheabilityThejudgesand commonwealthsattorneysshouldhavetheabilitytoaskforahigheror differentpenaltiesforrepeatoffendersandforegregiousviolationsof thenoiseordinance.Ialsobelievethatthecitizensneedreliefnow. Itstakenustenmonthstogettohere.Inthelasttwoyearstherehave beenover16,000callsforserviceregardingnoiseordinanceah noisecomplaints.Ofthose16,000,approximately,justabout200 summonsesayearhavebeenissued.Thereasonisthisisasituation whereifthereisaproblemandfolkscantworkitoutinaneighborly communitymindedspiritandthepolicedohavetocome,oftentimes whatsrequiredissimplepleaseturnitdown.And,whentheofficer asks,inalotofcases,notineverycase,butinalotofcases,thatsallit takes.Andthatiswhyyouseethegreatdisparitybetweencallsfor serviceandthenumberofticketsissued.ButIalsowantfolkstoknow thatIhaveheardtheirconcernsabouthowtomakethisnoise ordinancegreater.AndMr.Jewellhitthenailrightonthehead. StartingtomorrowImgoingtobeworkingtoformaworkgroupto addresstheseconcerns.Thisisagroupthatataminimumwillconsistof representativesofthecommonwealthattorneysoffice,thecity

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13 attorneysoffice,themayorsoffice,theRichmondpolicedepartment, VCU,andsomeonefromthecriminaldefensebarwhoregularly practicescriminallawfromthedefensesideofthebarhereintown. Again,Iwanttothankeverybodyforsupportonthis.Ilookforwardto makingthisordinanceevenbetterinthecomingmonths.And,I especiallywanttothankthecitizensoftheseconddistrictforallthe timeandefforttheyhaveputintosupportthisspecificordinance.Iask foravotetopassthistonight. [GRAZIANO:(nocomments)] [ROBERTSON:(nocomments)] [TYLER: (nocomments)] [Ordinanceadopted9/0,February22,2010.10monthsaftercourt decision.]

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14 ======================================================= April4,2010.Richmondpolicedepartmentcitedabandforviolating thenoiseordinance. Thebandchosetochallengetheordinancein court. October27,2010.TheRichmondcommonwealth'sattorneywas quotedastellingthecourtthe"ordinanceisbadandneedstobe stricken." November30,2010.RichmondGeneralDistrictCourtdeclarescity noiseordinanceunconstitutional. CityCouncildoesnotappeal. 6monthslater: June13,2011.CityCouncilintroducedaproposedreplacementnoise ordinance. ======================================================= ExcerptsfromPublicSafetyCommitteemeeting.June20,2011 OrdinanceNo.2011119. SAMUELS:Asyouallknow,Richmondneedsanoiseordinance,asound controlordinance,andpartoftheagreementlastyearwasthatwe neededsomethinginplace,aplaceholder,thatassoonasthatwasput inplaceIwouldconveneasmallworkgrouptostartworkingon somethingthatwouldreallyjustrevamptheentiretyofthecity'snoise ordinance.ThenoiseordinanceasitstoodpriortotheTannerv.Cityof VirginiaBeachordinancehadbeenaroundatleastsincearound1993.I believeitgoesbackevenfurther.Iknowthecityhashadanoise ordinancesince30to40yearsaftertheturnofthecentury.Soit's importantthatwekeepthis,thatwefindsomethingthatwouldwork foreverybody.And,asyouallknow,youcanpleasesomeofthepeople allthetime,andotherpeoplenoneofthetime.But,youcan'tplease everybodyallthetime.Andwiththatknowledge,adedicatedgroup wenttoworktryingtoseehowothercities,towns,stateshave addressednoiseandsoundintheirdistricts.Westartedwithovereighty differentordinance.Wereduceditdowntothirty,reviewedthose indepthwentthroughItalktofolksfromallwalksoflifeaboutthis, includingtheattorneywhoarguedtheTannercaseinfrontofthis SupremeCourt.Gothisadviceonsomebasicsandcontinuedtowork throughtheproblems.Andwhatyouseehereisanordinancethat addressesallthemajorissuesinTanneraswellastheconcernsabout theplainlyaudiblestandard.Asyouallknow"unreasonablyloud"ora basicunderstandingof"hey,that'stooloud"isnotconstitutionally sound.Itwon'tstandincourts.So,wecouldn'tusethat.Wegotto lookingatwhatisisn'tarbitrary.Whatisadefinitenumberthatpeople canlookatandsayIknowifIgoabovethisI'mviolatingthesound ordinance;ifI'mbelowitI'mnot.Andwelookedatalotofdifferent waysinpickingthatnumber.LikeIsaid,wereviewednumerous ordinancesfromaroundthestate,aroundthecountry,anddetermined

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15 thattherewasacoupleofdifferentapproaches.Onewastousejust "plainlyaudible."ifIcanhearit,andIcanmakeitout,it'splainly audible,andit'sillegal.Wealsolookedatanideawhereyoutakea baselineandthenhadXnumberofdecibelsabovethattodetermine whetherornotitwouldbeaviolation.Ican'tremember,Ithinkit's Miami,butI'mnotsure.Theyhavegonearoundandliterallytaken readings,citywide,throughoutthecity,todeterminehowloudthe normalamountofvolumeisonthatstreetandthenifyou're5to10dB overthat,you'reinviolationofthenoiseordinance.Whilethathasa certainappealbecauseitdoesdealwitheachsectionofthecity differently,theworkgroupreallycametotheconsideration,orthe decision,thatthatputsanawfullotofinitialstrainonpoliceand planningthatsomebodyisliterallygoingtohavetogooutwithasound levelmeteroneveryblockofthecity.That'sgoingtotakeaninordinate amountoftimetogetbaselines.Ofcoursethatmeansthatit'sjusta snapshotintime;thatit'snotnecessarilythestandardvolumeinthat areabutsimplywhenthepersonwentouttotakethereading.Andso welooktoseewhatotheroptionswehadandwefoundthatmost decibel,mostofthesemunicipalitiesthatuseadecibelratingsystem didsobasedonafixednumber.Boston,Massachusetts:50dB,whichis lowerthanRichmond,Virginia'sproposedstandard.Austin,Texas:80 dBIbelieve duringtheday,whichis5dBhigherthanRichmond's standardduringthedayforexteriorevents.Andsowetriedtofind somethingthatwasreasonable,somethingthatwouldn'tcausemost peoplealotofheartacheaboutkillingnoiseinthecitybutwouldalso stillbeenforceable,stillhaveteethtoit,andwouldstillmakesurethat peoplewhoknewwhentheywereorwerenotviolatingthenoise ordinance.Aboutamonthandahalfago,Isentoutanemail,posted onalotoftheblogs,distributedthroughneighborhoodassociations, thatlaidoutmyproposedordinance.Ireceivedsomefeedback,both positiveandnegative,aboutthatordinance,reviewedthoseand incorporatedthemasIcouldintotheordinanceifwethoughttheywere appropriatetodoso.Andyou'llseetheordinancebeforeyoutonightis differentthantheonethatwascirculatedamonthandahalfago. That'sbecausewedidlistentowhatpeoplehadtosayaboutthe originalproposal.Thisnoiseordinancesetsacoupleofstandards.first ofallitdefineswhatisillegal.Anighttime,inresidentialdistricts anythingover55dBisaviolationontheinteriorofyourhouse;65dB outside.Duringtheday,65dB,excuseme,duringthenightit's65dB outside,75dBduringthedayoutsideyourabode.Andwedidthaton purposebecausewewantedtomakesurethatwithwhatevertypeof buildingmaterialsyouhad,weknewtherewouldbesomedampening ofthenoisesasitwentfromoutsidetoinside.Anditdidn'tseemfair thatIcouldstandonmybackdeckwithmyneighborsascloseasMr. Jewellistomeandsayhewasinviolationwhenhecouldbeatthe sametimeholleringandscreaminghisheadoff,Icouldbeupstairson theothersideofmyhouseandjustbarelyhaveittipthescaleat55dB anditwouldstillbeaviolation.So,wewantedtogivesomeleewayto folkswhoareoutsideenjoyingtheeveningorenjoyingtheday.

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16 Ofcourse,thisexemptssomeofthenormalthingsyouwould expecttrashcleanupafter7AM,thosekindsofthings.And,Ithink thatsomethingthatalotofcitizens,almostmorethananythingelse, hadtosayisthattheyweretiredofthe4and5AMtrashpickups.This resolvesthatissuefairlywell.Wealsowantedtomakesurethatwe werecognizantofhowthenoisewasgoingtobemeasured.Thestate, theDepartmentofGeneralServices,hasbeenrequiredbystatelawto developstandardsfortheuseofdecibelmetersinthisprocedure.And thepolicehavebeeninstructedinthisordinancetopromulgate standardsthattheywillbeusingforthedecibelmetersthatare,that theywillpurchase.Thosewillofcoursehavetocomplywithstatelaw. Thereisaverydefinitelinethatwearegoingtohavetouse,tomeet,in ordertohaveadecibelmeterreadingintroducedintolaw.Takea sidestepforasecond. Ibelieveitwas2008,8to9thousandcallsfor serviceregardingnoiseviolations.Ofthose,about500citations,570 citations.Sowhatwe'retalkingaboutisaverylimitednumberofthese everygetfurtherthanthepoliceknockingonadoorsayingthere'sbeen acomplaint,youguysneedtoturnitdown.Andthat'swhatthepolice standardprocedureistomadesurethecommunityisanicehappy placetolive.lalwaysencouragefolkswhenIspeaktothem,tofirst attempttogooverandaskedtheneighbor,askedthepersonthatyou thinkisinviolationofthisordinancetobecognizantofthefactthatwe liveinacommunityandweliveinaclosecommunity.Iliterallyshare, wellthere'stwobricksseparatingmyhousefromthehousenextdoor tome.We'reapartywalland,youknow,weunderstandthatandwe chosetolivethereandweacceptit.Butwealsowanttomakesurethat we'recognizantofeachother'sabilitytoenjoyourownhome.Thisis notcitywide.ItaffectsresidentialdistrictsRandRO.Andforsomefolks inthecommunitythat'sagoodthing.Itmeansthebusinessdistricts, entertainmentareas,willbeexempt.Forotherfolksit'saverybad thing.Itmeansthatplacesthatarezoned,thatareresidencesinBor businesszoningwillnothavethisabletobeenforced.Andthat's somethingthatthecouncilpeoplethathavethoseareasaregoingto havetolookveryhardatinthisproposedordinancetomakesurethat's somethingthey'reokaywith.Iwouldanticipatetheywon'tbe,butit's somethingthattheyneedtotalkaboutwiththeirconstituentstomake surethatthey'reonthesamepage.Weaskedalotofpeopletoassist withthis.Therewasarepresentativefromthemusiciansunion.Wehad anaudiologistcomeinandtalktous.Wehadcriminaldefense attorneys,collegerepresentatives,VirginiaMunicipalLeague, Commonwealth'sAttorney'soffice,VCU.Themayor'schiefpolicy advisor,DavidHicks,servedonthisworkgroup.Anditdidagreatjob workingthroughsomeverydifficultissues,notonlyonhowtomeasure noise,butontheveryrealFirstAmendmentissuesthatwehadto addresswithanordinancelikethis.And,Iwanttothankthemfortheir time.Somekeyfeatureincludepunishment.Inthepastithassimply beenaclassII,orclassI,misdemeanorandthatwasthat.Now,the averagefineinthecityorinthecountywasabout$25.Thatwasit. However,itwasstilllistedasaclassImisdemeanor.Thischangesthat andcreatesagraduatedscalethatworksitswayupdependingonthe

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17 numberofcitationsissuedtoapersonwithina12monthperiodof time.Thefirsttimeit'sjustafine.Secondtime,Ibelieveit'sjustafine. Thethirdtimeyou'relookingatthepossibilityofactualjailtime.And wereducedittoaclassIImisdemeanor.Thosearesomethingsthat reallycamefromthecommunityandIwanttothankeverybodywho haswritteninaboutthis.TheonlyotherthingIwanttotalkaboutisthe measurements.Forexample,Ijusthadachild.Mysoncanscream,right now,asahighas109dB.AndIthoughttomyself,"that'sloud."So,I wantedtoseewhatwecoulddoaboutit.Itookmylittledecibelmeter thatIboughtfromRadioShack,turnediton,tookitoutside(andmy frontyardisonlyabout6to10feetdeep),stoodonthesidewalkin frontofmyhouse.Mywifeopeneduptheupstairsbedroomwindowon thefrontofourhouse,thescreenisin,sheholdsthechildinherarms, shekindoflooksdownoutthewindow.Onehundredandtenonthe decibelmeterbutatmy,downonthestreet,itdidn'tregister.My decibelmeterregistersfrom50up.Thereisalotofconcernsabouthow thingsgetmeasured.Thesearenotmeasuredatthesource.Rightnow, I'mtalkingatabout68dB,atthesource.However,Mr.Hilbert,whowas talkingafewminutesagoaboutbarsandgunsandtaxicabsand whatnot,registered61.Only3feetaway.Ms.Trammellhaspeaked,at onlythisshortdistance,at59dB.Whenyouconsiderthefactthatthere willbeoninteriormeasurementsonsinglefamilyhomethesituation thatthereiseitherbrick,orwood,potentiallyeven,insomeofthe newerhouses,nottheoldhousebuilt,insulationinsteadofjustbrick andplaster.That'sgonnahaveahugeimpactonhownoisetravelsand howsoundreachesyou.AndIthinkthat'ssomethingthatIreally,really wanttostress.Thisisnotmeasuredatthesource.Thisismeasured fromadistance.Now,inadditiontothatwelookedatwhat'sgoingto happeninmultifamilyhomesbecausethereisn'tthesamedivisionor evenseveralfeetastheremayhavebeen.I'dwagerthatMs.Graziano's houseprobablyhasasolid20to40feetbetweenherandthenext house,ifnotmore.BestIgotisaboutatwofootspaceononesideof myhouse.Andsowewantedtomakesurethatinmultifamilyhomes thiswasnotgoingtobeanunreasonableburden.Andsowebackedit upevenmore.Thenoisecan'tbemeasuredatthewall.Itcan'tbe measuredattheceiling.Itcan'tbemeasuredatthefloor.Whereverthe offendingsoundiscomingfrom,ithastobemeasuredfourfeetback fromthatsource.Andthat'ssomethingthatweconsideredandlookat andsawinseveraloftheordinancesthatwehadtobackupsome. Fourfeetwasthestandardfromtheactualsourceofthenoiseorthe closestwallfrom,tothesourceofthenoise,tomakesureina multifamilysituationthatyouwerestillcognizantofthefactthatthere wasotherpeoplelivingimmediatelyaroundyou.I'mveryexcitedabout this.Folkshaveputalotoftimeandeffortintoit.Iamanxioustowatch thisordinancegothroughthelegislativeprocess.Ilookforwardto receivingmorecommentsfromeverybody.Ithankeverybodywho's heretocommentonewayortheotherforcomingoutforthisandIlook forwardtohearingfromyou.

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18 JEWELL:Ifollowedthismanstepbysteprightdownthegardenpathto beruledunconstitutional. SAMUELS:I'malsoacceptingcopatrons. JEWELL:Ijustgotit.So,I'mgoingtoreadthisonethistime. (Hilbertaskedaboutexceptionforairconditioningunitoutsideof house.) SAMUELS:Thereisnoexceptiontoairconditionersperse.The exceptionsarelistedfairlyclearlyinsection3836.Mostofthem revolvearoundemergencies,workinyards,construction,thosekindsof things.However,again,youhavetobenotfromwheretheair conditionerisbutfromyour,ontheexteriorofyourpropertylineorthe interiorofyourhouse.Howlouditis. (Hilbertnotclear.) SAMUELS:Ifyoulookat,it'spage12ofthehandoutfromtoday, section3838,that'sforsinglefamily,whichisasubstantialportionof yourdistrict. (Hilbertstillnotclear.) SAMUELS:Itis65duringthedayontheinsideofthehouse,75during thedayontheoutside. (Hilbertaskedaboutexceptionorpermitforicecreamtruckstryingto getattentioninsidehomes.) SAMUELS:Well,therearenoindicationthatontheinsideofyourhouse that'sgoingtogoover65decibelsduringtheday.Itellyouonewent downHanovertheotherday,aboutahalfablockfrommyhouse. Outsideitregistered55.Iwashalfablockaway.Inside,itdidn't register. (Hilbertaskedaboutrestrictionsonvibration.) SAMUELS:Soundisdefinedintheordinance. (Grazianoaskedaboutexceptionforgenerators.) SAMUELS:That'suptotheneighbors.Wecanalwaysputanexception in. I'mnotmarriedtotheseexceptions. Iwanttomakesurethat FirstAmendmentrequirements...otherthanthat... Ifthereareno otherquestionsfromthecommittee,I'dlovetogetsomepublic comments. Thereisalotofpeopleherethathavewaitedtotalk aboutit.

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19 (Hilbertaskedaboutsection3858.) (Grazianoaskedabouttrashpickupbefore7am.) SAMUELS:No,butitexemptthenoisethattrashtruckscause,butthey dogoover65and75decibelsanditexemptstheminthedaytimehours anddaytimehoursisdefinedas7amto9pm. (Grazianoisstillconcerned.) SAMUELS:That'sthewayithadbeendonequitesometimepriortothe newoldnoiseordinance. (Grazianoisstillconcerned.) (Jewellmentionstrashpickupat4:45am) SAMUELS:Wegotpublicworkshere. Anybodywanttotakeawhack atthat? (Publicworksspeaker.) SAMUELS:CanIaskyouaquestion? Anybodyfromtheadministration contactyouallaboutthisnoiseordinanceoverthelasttenmonths?.... ThereasonIaskisthatwehadadministrationatalmosteverymeeting andnevertoldthattherewasanyconcernsfrompublicutilitiesor publicworks.I'mhappytoworkwithyouguys.Ijustwishtheyhadtold usaboutthisissuesooner.....That'sdisappointing. (Publicworksspeakermentionsmoreconcerns.) SAMUELS: I'msorry...thatlastonewasyouneedtopickuptrash between10pmand6am?....Canyoutellmewherethebasketroutes are?(Answer)Inthefinancialarea?(Answer)So,it'snotaresidential district?(Answer)HowmanyRandROpropertiesarethere?Ithought thosewerealleitherbusinessorindustrialoroffice. There'snoRor ROzonesdowntown,arethere?(Answer) Zonedresidentialorwhere peoplelive?(Answer)Wellnow,intheFanyoupickupduringtheday. Youguysdon'tcloselanesthere.(Answer)Itisintheday.Youguys don'tcloselanes.[unintelligible] (Publicworksspeakermentions6amtrashpickup.) SAMUELS: I'll...letmewritethatonedown. (Publicworksspeakermentionsgroundsmaintenance.) SAMUELS:Andyou'llchecktomakesurethat'sinaresidentialdistrict also?(Answer)So,you'reconfidentthatthatisinresidentialdistricts.

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20 (Publicworksspeakermentionsnighttimestreetcleaning.) SAMUELS:Wheredoyouguysdothat?....Whereinthecitydoyoudo nighttimestreetcleaning?(Answer)ButnotzonedRorRO? (Publicworksspeakermentionscontractwork.) (PublicworksspeakermentionsNationalGuardworkstarttime.) SAMUELS:Wewilldefinitelyhavetoaddressthat.WhatIwould encouragethatyouguysdoistalktoDavidHicks.Hewasatthe meetingsandhelpdraftthis.And,asthechiefpolicyanalysis(sic)for themayor,Ithinkheneedstobetheonetohelpyouguyswork throughwhetherornothegotthesecoveredinhereorwhetherornot heneedstocomebackandexplainthat,somehow,hedidn'tquiteget tothese.Andwemayneedtoaddressthoseinthisordinance.But,I thinkthefirstthingyougottadoistalkhimandgethimtocometome aboutit. (Publicutilitiesspeakermentionsoffpeakutilitywork.) SAMUELS:Atonepointthatwasintherebutthecommitteewas concernedaboutexemptingthecityfromitsownordinance.Doesn't seemquitefair.WhatI'lldois,I'lltellyouthesamething.Havehimcall me.Maybehejustdidn'tgetthewordouttoyouguysintimeforyou allforthelastfewmonthstogettheseconcernstogether.But,yeah...or eveninthelasttwoweeks.Maybehejustdidn'tgetitovertoyouguys intime.Havehimgivemeacall.Behappytotalktohimandseeifwe can'tresolvethis. (Hilbertaskedifcityemployeewouldbechargedwithviolation.) SAMUELS:It'sthepersonwhocausesor...that,uh,causesthenoise.So, ifyou'retheonewho'sdoingtheordering,youbetheonewhogot charged. (Hilbertunclear;mentionspossibilityofcityexemption"policy.") SAMUELS:Ithinkwe'regettinginvolvedinsomedetails.Itsays "anybodywhocausesor,uh,...noperson...well...tocreateorotherwise causeanysource."So,its,anybodythatcausesor...startsthe implementationofwhateverneedstohappen.But,attheendofthe day,Imean,DPU,DPWconcernsarevalid.I'lltalktoDavidaboutthem oncetheygetwithhimandhecontactsme.I'veworkedwithhimon thisfortenmonths.Idon'tknowhowtosayitnice,I'mreally disappointedthatthisiscomingtomeatPublicSafetywhenhecould havecometomeatanypointaftertalkingwithyouguysaboutit.It's notyourfaultatall.Validconcerns.Thankyouforbringingthem.Please passalongtohimmycomments.

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21 (Jewellasksaboutquestionaboutcitycontractwork.) SAMUELS:ThisisonlyvalidinRandRO. (Publicworksspeaker) SAMUELS:Haveyouguysmeasuredthenoisefromanyofthehomes surrounding...?(Answer)Onlyjustfoundoutaboutit.Unbelievable.Not aboutyouguys.Notaboutyouguys. (Unidentifiedspeakercaughtonrecording:...stoptalkingaboutit....) SAMUELS:Mr.Jewell,letmemakearecommendation.Iagreetotalk withthemaboutthis.Iagreetoworkwithyou,[unintelligible],tosee whatwecandoaboutit.Becausesomanyofthepublicarehere,that, frankly,aren'tgettingpaidtobehere,let'sletthem,givetheman opportunitytosaytheircommentsaboutitandmoveoffofDPU,DPW. PUBLICCOMMENT (Speaker:Wantshigherdecibellimits.Mentionedalistofnoisesources includingababycrying.) SAMUELS:Exceptyouhadtopermitthebabytodoit.AndIdon'tthink there'sajudgethat'sgoingtofindthatyouaren'tabletopermitababy tocry...permitababynottocry. (Speaker:NoteslackofhigherdecibellimitsonThursday,Friday, Saturdayevenings.Notesproblemofbusinessneedingtooperatenear residences.Notesproblemofhighdensityresidentialareadecibel limits.) SAMUELS:But,canyouhearitatadecibellevelthatwouldviolatethe ordinance?....Rightnow,yourvolumeis64decibels.Itwouldn'tviolate theordinance....Ifyoucouldhearthisvolumeatnight,inyour bedroom,fromsomeoneelse,wouldthatbeOKwithyou? (Speaker:Concernedthatcitywilluseordinancetopunishnightlife businesses.) (Speaker:Concernedaboutexcessiverestrictionsonfestivals,street preachers,protests,laughter,freespeech.) SAMUELS:Buskingisconstitutionallyprotected. Sothat,ofcourse, wouldn'tcomeintothisordinance.Justsoyouknow.....Buskingis constitutionallyprotected. (Speaker:Noiselevelinordinanceisnotquietenough.) (Speaker:Cityneedsanordinance.)

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22 (Speaker:Notedthatordinancedescriptionappliesregulationstoentire city.) SAMUELS:Allthatmeansisyoucan'tissueacitationtosomebodyin Henricocounty. (Speaker:Ordinancedoesnotallowamplifiedsoundforfreespeech. Doesnotprovideforsoundonpublicproperty.) (Speaker:Downtownresidentsarebeingdiscriminatedagainst. Wants activenightlife,butsomenightlifespotsaretooloud. Ordinance shouldapplydowntown.) SAMUELS:Thankyousomuchforthat.Originallythiswasintendedto covereverything.Ilostthatargumentintheworkgroup.I'mhappyto workwithMs.Robertsonandanyothercouncilmembertohave [unintelligible]toaddressthisissue.Ihearwhatyouaresaying. JEWELL: (Speaker:Amplifiedsoundisdisturbing.DisappointedthatB4zoningis notincluded.) SAMUELS:Iwaswrongaboutthat.Thereisa....Theverylastsentence ofthatportionsayingformultifamilyisregardlessofthezoning.Soyou areincluded....Yep,andI'msorry.Imis,,,,Ididn'tmisspoke(sic).Isaid thedoggonewrongthing.....I'lltalktoheraswell. (Speaker:Definitionofdaytimeshouldbechanged.Shouldendearlier.) (Speaker:[unintelligible]) GRAZIANO: (Speaker:Amplifiedbassisaproblem.) (Speaker:[unintelligible]) (Speaker:Ordinanceshouldprotectsinglefamilydwellingsinbusiness districts.) SAMUELS:Weaskedtheadministrationaboutthat.Theyreportedtous therewerenoneinthecitythatweresinglefamilyresidencesin businesszones....I'll,ifyougivemeyourinformation.You'veemailedme inthepast,Ithink.I'llemailyoubackandwe'llfigureoutwhetheror notyou'rereallyzonedBornot.BecauseIwasinformedtherewas noneinthecitybytheadministration. DISCUSSION

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23 (Hilbertaskedaboutexcessivecomplaints.) Samuels?:IfImaysuggest,itwouldbehandledthesamewaythatany other...youcanspeakonthisbetterthanIcan.... (Staff.) SAMUELS:So,ifsomebodycalls....somebodycallsthepoliceandsays CharlesSamuelsissledgehammeringthewallbetweenhishouseand thenexthouse.And,thepolicecomeoutandtheysay,well,nothingis happening.Thenextnighttheygetthesamecall.Thatwouldeventually leadtothatpersonhavingaverydifficultconversationwiththepolice. Sameiftheysaidthat,youknow,youwere,Idon'tknow,punching windowsoutofcarsdownthestreetandtheycalledeverynightsaying that.Whatevertheunderlyingcomplaintis,it'sstillanuisancecall. (Hilbertnotclear.) Staff: ...there'sgoingtobesomeofficerdiscretion... (Hilbertaskedaboutpeoplechargedformakingfrivolouscomplaints.) (Staff) (Hilbert) (Jewell) (Staff) (Jewellwantssomethinginordinancetopreventexcessivecomplaints.) SAMUELS:It'salreadyaddressedinthecodethroughtheother ordinances.Ifwehadtodothat,thatwouldmeanthat,like,forthe assaultandbatterycodesection,wewouldhavetoincludesomething, theplayingbaseballinthealleycodesection,wewouldhavetoinclude thatsameissue.Thepolicealreadyhavethattooltoaddressfrivolous phonecalls,frivolouscomplaints,falsereportstoapoliceofficer,et cetera.Sowedon'tneedtoputthatineverysinglecriminalordinance inthecity. (Citizenaskedifcityneededalawwithspecificdecibellevels.) SAMUELS:Ipersonallyliketheunreasonablyloudstandard,butthe SupremeCourtdidn't.So,we'restuckwithwhatwe'vegot. (Trammellaskedaboutmakingcomplaintsandretaliation.) (Staff)

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24 (Trammellaskedaboutnumberofmeterstobeavailable.) SAMUELS:ThestatehasbeeninstructedbytheVirginiacodeto promulgatestandardsforanysoundlevelmeterthatanyjurisdictional, policeforce,sheriff,coulduse.Thatwillallowthosedecibelreadingsto beintroducedincourtastheevidencethatitisorisnotinviolation.So, theDepartmentofGeneralServiceswastaskedwiththat.They'regoing tocomeup,ortheyhavecomeup,withpromulgation,uh,promulgated rulesaboutwhatkindofrequirementsthesoundlevelmeterswill require.Inourordinancewe'veinstructedthepolicechieftofollowand comewithhisrecommendationsor[unintelligible]thatmeetthe standard.And,so,itwillfallinlinewiththelocalandstatelaw. (Trammellquestionednumberofmetersperprecinct.) SAMUELS:...howmanytheadministrationiswillingtobuy. (Staff) SAMUELS:It'scompletelyupto...theadministrationcouldbuyonefor everyofficer.Theycouldbuyoneforeveryprecinct.Theycouldbuyone foreverysector.Asmanyastherearesnowflakes,thereareoptionsfor theadministrationonhowtoenforcethislegislation.But,theywere withushandinhandtheentireway. (Trammellquestionednumberofmetersneeded.) (Staff) SAMUELS:Andthatpriority'sbeenthere....That'sbeenthewayit'sbeen for.... (Trammell) SAMUELS:That'suptothemayor.It'suptothemayorhowtoprioritize it.He'sgot,heandtheadministrationhavetodecidehowimportant thisis. (Trammellnotsatisfiedwithanswer.) SAMUELS:Allcitycouncilcandoispromulgatelegislation.Oncewe've putthelegislationoutthereandmadeitlaw,it'scompletelyuptothe administrationtoenforceit. (Jewell) (Trammellcriticalofmayoraboutnoiseordinancesignsonlyinhis neighborhood.)

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25 SAMUELS:Butthat's...We'regettingawayfromwhetherornot.... (Trammelldisagrees.) SAMUELS:Ithinkit'sthesamepriorityforthepoliceregardlessofwhat areaofthecityit'sin. (Staff) SAMUELS:Iwasinformedbytheadministrationtheywereplanningon purchasingtwenty. (Staff) (Trammell) SAMUELS:Ihearyouloudandclear SAMUELS:Well,I'dliketoseeitmoveforwardwithapprovaltocouncil, butunfortunately,I'mnotonthiscommittee,soIcouldn'tmakea motion. (Jewellwantstostudycomments.MotiontocontinuetoOrganizational Development.) (Grazianothinkstheremaynotbetimeontheagenda.) (JewellsuggestsGovernmentalOperationscommitteeonThursday.) (Grazianodiscussestimeline.) SAMUELS:Ihavenoobjectiontoit.Mygoalwastointroduceanoise ordinancetocouncilforconsiderationthatmettheneedsofthevast majorityofcitizens.Itisnowuptocouncilasawholetofigureoutwhat we'regoingtodowithwhat's.... (Grazianoaskedabout9pmsevendaysaweek.) SAMUELS:Constitutionally,youareallowedtomakeareasonabletime, placeandmannerrestrictions.Idonotknow,offthetopofmyhead, whatimpactalternatingthetimeandplaceandmannerthroughoutthe weekwoulddototheordinanceasfartheconstitutionality...Ourgoal wastogetthethingtopassconstitutionalmustard. Imean,muster. Wehavegoneoverthisandoverthis,tryingtogetustoaplacewhere wecouldfeelcomfortable.Thereisalitanyofcasesthatareinvolvedin this.MyfavoriteistheNewYorkvRockAgainstRacism,orWardvRock AgainstRacismcase.But,wewantedtomakesurethatwemetthe criteriaoftime,mannerandplacerestrictionsinsuchawaythatit wouldpassconstitutionalmusterregardlessofthoserestrictions.Iam unfortunatelygoingtohavetoleaveituptothecityattorneystotellus

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26 ifchanging...well...Iwillsaythatreasonablyitwillbedifficulttokeep track. Wellit'sThursdaysinhereuntil6:30,butitsFridaysitcangoto 9.[unintelligible] (Grazianoaskedaboutgoingto10pm.) (Hilbert,Jewell,Trammell,Grazianoandstaffdiscusswhattodo.) [Jewellmovestosendordinancetocouncilwithnorecommendation; second;adopted3/0.] =========================================================== ExcerptsfromCityCouncilInformalmeeting.June27,2011 OrdinanceNo.2011119. HILBERT:Sowecangetthisrighthere,Iliketogobacktothenoise ordinance.Theonlychangeherethat'sbeingproposedis9o'clockto10 o'clock? GRAZIANO:Correct. HILBERT:[unintelligible]aletterfromaconstituentofmineinwhichI agreewithhisassessmentthatweoughttolookat11o'clock.Canwe... AndIdoappreciatethepatronofthepaperhasletmeknowthatheis opposedtochangingitfrom10o'clock. SAMUELS:Twothings.Numberone,thefirstsixpagesoftheamended paperyouhaveinfrontofyouforthenoiseordinancearerepealedin thecurrentordinance.Soifyoulookatanythingonthefirstsixpages andsaythat'snotfair,[unintelligible].IfyousayIlovethat,sorry,it's gettingrepealed.Theactualproposedordinancestartsonpage7ofthe noiseordinance.TheissuethatMr.Hilbertisbringingupistowardsthe bottomofthepage.It'snumberthree.It'sthedefinitionofdaytime hours.And,originallythesoundcontrolordinanceworkgrouphad proposedmakingdaytimeandnighttimemoreintunewithwhatthe realityofwhatdaytimeandnighttimeare.Aswelookatordinances fromaroundthestateandaroundthecountry,wediscoveredthat nighttimeinmostjurisdictionsstartssomewherebetweennineand11. Attheendofthedaytheworkgroupproposed7AMto9PMlocaltime asthedefinitionofdaytime;and9PMto7AMasthedefinitionof nighttime.Thisamendmentchangesthedaytimehoursfrom7AMto9 PMto7AMto10PM.Aonehourdifference.Andshoulddothesame fornighttime.Yes.Number16,whichisonpage9.Thatisthe amendmentthatisbeingmadetothis,orisbeingproposed. GRAZIANO:Thankyou,Mr.Samuels.And,Mr.Hilbert,youwouldliketo haveadiscussiononthatamendment.

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27 HILBERT:Mr.Samuelsindicatedthattherangehasbeenfrom9to11.I wouldarguethatasthecapitalofoneofthelargermunicipalitiesinthe Commonwealththatweneedtoputoursatthebackendofthatrange. WearenotasleepyvillageandpeoplearegoingtomakenoiseandIam veryconcernedthatwearegoingtogetcaughtagainincourtabout somethingthatisveryonerous.Weneedtobegoingafter,asIsaid [unintelligible],themostegregiousviolators.Wecannotshieldevery citizenfromthecityfromeveryinconvenientnoise.AndsoIstrongly urgemycolleaguestopushthisbackto11.AndIdoapologizetothe patronfornotbringingthisupsooner. GRAZIANO:Mr.Samuels. SAMUELS:Justtogiveyouallanidea,thevolumesatwhichweare talkingrightnow,inyourbedroomat2AMatnight,wouldnotviolate thenoiseordinance,comingfromoutsidethehouse.Inotherwords therewouldbeamuchloudernoiseoutsideyourhouse.Insideyour housethisamountofnoiseyou'rehearingoverthespeakersrightnow wouldnotbeaviolationdespitethefactthatit'sprettysafetosaythis isloudenoughtowakesomeonefromtheirsleep.Ithink10o'clockis fair. GRAZIANO:Mr.Samuels,mayIaskaquestion?IfIwereonmyback deck? SAMUELS:Itwouldnotbeaviolation. GRAZIANO:Soit'sonlyinsidemyhouse.Notonmyproperty. SAMUELS:Wellit...Insideyourhouse...I'mspeakingataround55dB rightnow. GRAZIANO:ButI'msayingifI,ifthisnoiselevel,Icouldhearthisonmy backdeck. SAMUELS:Itwouldnotbeaviolationbecause65atnightisthelevelfor outside[unintelligible]. GRAZIANO:Okay SAMUELS:At10o'clock,Ithinkpeoplearegettingreadyforbed,ifnot inbed.Peoplewithchildrenwholivethroughoutthecityinallareasof thecity.Ithinkit'sfairtogivetheworkingguyabreakhereand...Ithink it'sappropriatetokeepitat10insteadof11.AndI'llleaveitatthat. GRAZIANO:Ms.Robertson. ROBERTSON:Mr.Samuels,I'veseenalotofthisundergroundwork that'sbeendoneandresearchthathasbeendonetogettothepointof puttingthispaperin.Iapologizebecauseatthelastpublicsafety

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28 meeting,Ms.Trammell,IhadtoleaveearlybecauseIhadanother commitment.Andso,Imissedalotofthecommentsanddiscussionin regardstothispaper.But,sincethattimeIwaspartofameetingwith Mr.SamuelsandtheCommonwealthattorney.AndI'vehadalotof emailsfrompeople[unintelligible],morespecificallyasitrelatestothis aswellasjustthegeneralpublicunderstandingof...Youknow,Idon't knowwhata[unintelligible]decimetersoundslike.Idon'tknow65.So, thepeopleareconfusedastodotheyhaveasenseofsoundastowhat thatreallysoundslikeasitrelatestowhatwearevotingonwhenwe aremovingforward.WhenIdidmeetwithMr.Samuelsandthe Commonwealthattorney,thereweresomerecommendationsthat weremadethatsuggestedsomesignificantchangestothispaper, whichIhadnotreviewedtheamendmentsindetailtomakesurethat what...Iguessmyquestionisthis,thispaperwillcomebacktopublic safetyorisitmovingforward? GRAZIANO:Publicsafetyrecommendedthatitgoforwardtocouncil. Mr.Samuelsisamendingit,which,sonowitwouldgoforwardto councilintwoweeksunlessitgetsrereferredtocommittee.Ithinkthis isanimportantpaperofgreatsignificance.I'mwonderingifthisisa paperthatwewouldwanttodiscussatorganizationaldevelopmentfor abouthalfanhourjustsoeverybodyhasagoodhandle.SoIthink...We arecontinuingitanyway.Soit'snotgoingtoholditup.AndIthink everybodywouldliketogetagoodhandleonexactlywhatthispaper does. GRAZIANO:Mr.Jewell. JEWELL:IhavetoconcurwithMr.Hilbert.This...Weliveinthecity. Numberone.Andinlightofthefactthatwehadtoeatthelast ordinancewepassed,Ithinkthesafebetsuggeststhatwegowiththe leastrestrictiveordinance.Numberone.Andnumbertwo,11o'clockis notthatungodlyanhour.[unintelligible].ForsomereasonIthoughtwe sentthiswithnorecommendationtotheCouncil.Thathasnotbeen mentioned. SAMUELS:Wedidsenditwithoutarecommendation. JEWELL:Movedforwardtofullcounselwithnorecommendation. GRAZIANO:Correct. JEWELL:andsowilltakeituponorganizational,fine.Hopefullywecan getsomething[unintelligible]. GRAZIANO:Mr.Samuels,goodwiththat? SAMUELS:Ihavenoobjectiontoit.Idon'tthinkthatchangingthehour ofthedayisgoingtobeaconstitutionalproblem.Governmentsare allowedtoregulatesoundandinordertodosotheyaregivenpower

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29 throughtheConstitutiontodothat.Butthereisthreedifferentlevelsof scrutiny.Thisordinanceprovidesforthelowestlevelinacourtcasefor scrutiny.Thehighestbeingstrictscrutiny,whichiswhattheformer ordinancedidbecauseitexemptedreligiousorganizations.This organization...Thisordinancedoesnotmakethatexemptionand thereforeitdoesnotfallunderthestrictscrutinycategory.Itfallsunder thelowestlevelofscrutinythecourtcangive[unintelligible]. JEWELL:... SAMUELS:...Between10and11.Jurisdictionsareallowedtoplace reasonablerestrictionsontimeandmannerforsoundandnoise.Andso settingthetimeisconstitutionalregardlessofwhenwesetit.That'snot goingtobeanissue[unintelligible]. GRAZIANO:ThankyouMr.Samuels.Mr.Jewell. JEWELL:Justarealquickretort.Anoldcolleagueofours,Mr. Richardson,gavemeapropositionthatjusttickedmeofflikeyouwould notbelieve.Hesaid"look,man;youwanttoberightoryouwanttobe happy?"That'sthemostMachiavellianchoiceIthinkI'veeverheardin mylife.Butithasrelevancehereinthat,Mr.Samuels,youmightbe 100%right,buttoavoidanyprospectofgettingthisoverturnedagain bysomebody'sSupremeCourt,theleastrestrictiveapproachwecan takemakessense.Andifwehavetotightenituplater,sobeit. SAMUELS:Ifthat'sthecasetheVirginiastatecodedoesallowtocreate acivilpenalty.Youcantrashthisentireordinanceandcreateacivil penalty.[unintelligible].Ifyou'relookingfortheleastrestrictive,that wouldbetheoption. GRAZIANO:Ithink,Mr.Samuels,Ithinkeverybody.AndIforgotMs. Trammell.Ithinkthateverybody...I'lljustspeakformyself.Iknowthat youdidalotofhardlegworkonthis.Ithinkthateverybodyhas concernsaboutnoiseandhopefullywecanhammersomeofthese issuesoutandmoveforwardormakechanges;whateverwehavetodo. ButIwanttothankyouinadvancebecauseIknowyouspenthoursand hoursofresearchonthispaper. SAMUELS:Ifcouncilmemberslikethisordinance,I'mconfidentitwill pass.Iftheydon'tlikeit,eachandeveryoneofushaswithinour authoritytheabilitytoproposeamendmentstoit.Everyonecanmake recommendations.Changethedecibellevels.Times.Createawhole newordinance.Theoptionsareendless.Icantellyouexactlywhat80 noiseordinancesaroundthenationhaveinthem.Collegetowns.State capitals.Largecities.Smallcities.Icantellyoudifferenttypesofnoise ordinancesfromambientlevelplusXnumberofdecibelsabovethe violationtoaplainlyaudiblestandardtoeventheonesthatwehave thatarejustdecibellevelsthatencompasstheentirecity.They'reall outthereandI[unintelligible].

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30 GRAZIANO:ThankyouMr.Samuels.Ms.Trammell,youhavea comment? TRAMMELL:Charles,Ialsowouldliketothankyouforallthehardwork thatyoudidonthisnoiseordinance.Iknowthatinoureighthdistrict thatwegetalotofcallsespeciallyonweekendsabouttheloudnoises. Nowwegetcallsaboutthreewheelersandfourwheelersgoingupand downthestreet.Nomufflersandallthat.Sopeopleareaskingistherea lawagainstthem?Dotheyhavetohavealicense?Andthatnoise...I mean,youheartwoofthemattimegoingupanddownthestreet. [unintelligible].Andgoingupanddownrailroadtracks.So,Iknowthat I'mgoingtotalktothecaptainaboutthattoo.But,it'skindoflike,ifthe policecomesout,forthefirsttime,theywarnthem.Ifit'sdaytime,it's different...Theyuseadifferentdecibelforthedaytimeandadifferent oneforthenight. SAMUELS:It'salsoforinsideandoutsidethehouse. TRAMMELL:That'ssomethingIjustgotconfusedon.Yousaid somethingaboutinsidethehouse.[unintelligible].Igetcalls,people yellingandscreamingoutofthestreet[unintelligible]. SAMUELS:Butarethepeoplewhoarecomplaininginsidetheirhomes complainingaboutit,oraretheyoutsideonthestreetcomplaining aboutthenoisesoutsideonthestreet?Myexperiencehasbeenthat peoplewhoareasleepintheirbedsaretheonescomplaining.It'snot thepeopleoutsideonthestreet. TRAMMELL:Youknow,sometimeswhenlikemyselffouro'clockinthe morning,youknow,I'mtryingtogotosleepandI'mhearing,you know,[unintelligible]andthepersonsaystome,Ms.Trammell,when they[unintelligible]upanddownthestreet,thatbecomesyour problem,notmyproblem.I'mlike,okay,there's50carsupanddown thestreet.They'recomingout.Theyarehootingandhollering,drinking, throwingbeerbottleshereandthere,andgettingintheircarsturning uptheirstereos.So,that'snotfairtousandI'mgoingtoaskMr. SamuelsaboutthatonMonday.Who'sproblemisthatnow,oncethey leaveyourestablishmentandcomeoutinthestreet. SAMUELS:That'scoveredinthisordinance. TRAMMELL:Thankyou. GRAZIANO:Okay,andIwouldaskeveryonetolookatthisordinance. Lookatthethingsyoulikeaboutit.Lookatthequestionsthatyouhave sowhenwehaveadiscussionaboutitnextweekwe'vegotagood frameofreferenceastowhereyouwanttogoonthis,becausethisis.... Allofourordinancesaremostimportantbutthisordinanceismost complicated.

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31 HILBERT:Ithoughtthatwehadadiscussioninpublicsafety,andI'lltake responsibilityfornotfollowinguponthis,butsection3837.D,whichis onpage11,dealingwithviolationsofthearticle.Thepersonoperating orcontrollingthesourceofthesoundshallbeguiltyoftheviolation causedbythatsource.AndIthoughtwehadadiscussionaboutcity workersthatweredirectedtobesomewheretodosomework,andmy concernthattheywillbetheoneschargedundertheordinancethatis nowexisting.Ithoughtabout,orIthrewoutatthemeeting,exemption forthecityforthatpurpose.Andthen,overtheweekend,Igetan emailfromaconstituentcomplainingaboutworkaftermidnight.So, youknow,arewegoingto...Iwouldsuggestthatwecouldpossibly leavethisinherebuthaveinternaladministrativesanctionsforcity employeesand/ortheirsupervisorswhoviolatethis.Andmaybethat's thewaytohandlethatversus,youknow,somebodysayingwellI'mnot here,youknow,doingjackhammeringat11andsomebodyelsesaying well,Igettoldtobehere,andthatpersonsayingthatmysupervisor. And,youknow,prettysoonwe'regoingtobechargingMr.Samuels, excuseme,Mr.Marshallandorthemayorofaviolationofthis.I'm concernedaboutthat. GRAZIANO:AndIthinkthattherearesomeissuesthatpublicworks broughtupatpublicsafetythatneedtobebroughtupagainandlooked atintermsofhow[unintelligible]thoseproblemsthatwehave. HILBERT:AndthosearetheonlytwoIcanrecall.Thetimes.Andthen thisexemptionorhoweverwecanhandlethisforcityemployees.If anybodyrecallsanyothers...Thankyou.AndIagainwanttothankmy colleague,Mr.Samuels.IappreciatethatI'msittingnexttohimforthe nextfewhours. =========================================================== ExcerptsfromOrganizationalDev.Committeemeeting.July5,2011 OrdinanceNo.2011119. GRAZIANO:Charles,didyouwanttotalkalittlebitaboutthenoise ordinance? SAMUELS:It'scoming.Ibelievethere'sacopyofithere.2001119[sic]. Iactuallywasn'tplanningontalkingaboutittonightIhadthoughtthat wewerejust,well,heregoes.Thechangesaren'ttoomany.Ihadan opportunitytotalkwithalotofpeopleandaskpeopletocontinueto sendstuffintome.Ifyouguyslookatpage7.Thefirstseveralpages arewhatisbeingrepealed.Page7iswherethenewstuffstarts.Ifyou lookatsubparagraph3inparenthesisentitleddaytimehours,I've changedthatagainnowtoread11o'clockPM...attherequestof... frankly,businessownerswhoareworriedabouttheirnighttimebar business.So.Seemedreasonable.Wechangedthat,also,attherequest ofthecitydecibels,wemadesomechangesthatarenotinherebutwill

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32 bepresentedasanamendmenton,commonwealth'sdecibels,excuse me,thatwillbepresentednextMonday,orintroducednextMonday. Nothingfancy.Fireworksbefore11o'clock.Makesurethatwe'vegot theSquirrelscovered.Thatsortofthing.Noisefrommotorvehicleslike icecreamtrucks.Ican'trememberifwe.... STAFF:[unintelligible]Ihaven'tgottenit. SAMUELS:Okay. STAFF:[unintelligible]firsttwo,the11o'clockandthefireworks... SAMUELS:The11o'clockandthefireworksdisplay,then,arethetwo thataregoingtobeintroducednextMondaytoaddtoit.Hardestthing togetpeopletorememberisthatwearenotmeasuringthenoisefrom thesourcebutratherwhereit'sbeingheard.So,whileI'mcurrently talkingataround65decibels,itisnotaviolation.Ifoutsideofthisroom anddownthehall,mypropertyagain,andIwasabletogetupto75 decibelsbyscreaminginhere,thenitwouldbeaviolationonthe outsidemyhouse.Ontheinsideitwould,uh,be65decibelsduringthe day,55atnight.55isaconversation.Ifyouthinkaboutitalongthese lines:youandImayhavenoproblemchattinginourlivingroomovera cupofcoffeeaboutsomething,butifthatsamevolumeofnoisewere comingfromoutsideintoyourhouseanddisturbingyou,thatwouldbe abigproblem.Samethingatnight.Or,youmayhavenoproblemsitting inbeddiscussingyourdaywithyourlovedone.That'snotabigdeal. But,ifsomebodyisscreamingsoloudoutsidethatthey'reactually wakingyouupandIthinkthatthevolumeofnormalconversationis sufficienttowakesomebodyup;that'slikeanalarmclockthenit seemsreasonabletoaskthatpersontoquietdownoutside.Doesn't meanyouhavetobequiet.Doesn'tmeantheyevenhavetotalkatthe levelof55decibels.Theycanstillbesubstantiallylouder.But,bythe timeitgetsthroughyourwallsandintoyourbedroom,itcan'tbethat loud.That'sbasicallywherethenoiseordinanceis.Welookedatover 80ordinance.Wedroppeditdownto30thatwethoughtmadesense. We'velookedatcapitalcities,citieswithlargecollegesinthem,and otherrecommendationsfromaroundtheworld.ThelargestonethatI lookedat,IbelievewasSeattleWashington,whichcameinatjust under...oh...itwasjustunder200pageshundred150someoddpages. Welookedatnotdoingdecibellevelsexactly,butdoingtheambient measurementofnoiseinthecityandthenadding5to10decibels abovethat,likesomeotherplaceshavedone.Theproblemis,ineven theloudestneighborhoods,theambientlevelsaresubstantiallylower thanyou'dexpect.ThelowerFan,whichhasahugestudentpopulation, theambientnoiselevelsatnightare40decibels. JEWELL:What's"ambient"? SAMUELS:"Ambient"isjustwithoutawholelotofactiongoingonjust anormalnightintheneighborhood.At40decibels,thatmeansifwe

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33 added5to10decibelson,itwouldbelowerthanaconversationanda violation.Thatseemsalittleextreme,becausewe'renottryingtostop peoplefromhavingfunandmakingnoise.We'rejusttryingtostop themfromdisturbingotherpeople.Welookedatalotofdifferent optionstothedecibellevels.Thehighestthatwefound,thatIfound, wasinAustin,Texas,at80decibels.That'srealloud.Welookedat Boston,Massachusetts,whichis50decibels.Therewasone,thelowest wefound,was45.80wasthehighestwefound.Decibellevels,asyou allknow,yougoupincrementally.It'saslopelikeaskislope.It'snot justadiagonal.90decibelsisnottwiceasloud,butismultiple,multiple timeslouderthan45decibels.Highestdecibellevelthat...thatwillcause immediatepermanentdeafnessorhearinglossis196decibels.That's theloudest...Excuseme,that'snottrue.180.196istheloudestnoise thatcanpossiblebemade.Anditsloud.Federalregulationssaythat trainhornshavetobeat110decibels.Mybabycanalsoscreamat110 decibels.Iwentaheadandmeasuredthatatthesource.Wethen measureditfromadistanceofseveralfeet.Wealsomeasureditfrom uh,withanopenscreenwindow.Iwasoutsideonthesidewalk.Mywife stoodatthewindowwiththe...justthescreendownandheldhimandit didn'tevenregisterat55.Itdidn'tregisterit50decibels.Sodistance doesmakeadifferenceasdoeswhatit'sgoingthrough.Iknowamesh screenisn'texactlyinsulation,buteventhatcansubstantiallyslow somethingdown. JEWELL:Doesambientleveltemperloudbursts? SAMUELS:Ambientlevelsdonot.It'sadditionalontopofit.And,,uh, theotherthingaboutambientlevelsisthatitwould'verequired planningorthepoliceorsomedepartmenthereinthecitytoactually havetogooutandmeasuretheentirecity,blockbyblock, neighborhoodbyneighborhood,insomeformtofigureoutwhat's normalandambientforthatlevel.That'scrazy.Gotalotofotherstuff thatIdidn'tincludeinherebutIthinkwhatyouguysaregoingtofindis thatthisonemeetsalltherequirementsoftheSupremeCourtcases thathavedealtwithnoiseandfreespeech.Thewaywehavewrittenit webelieveitrequiresthelowestlevelofscrutinybytheSupremeCourt, whichmeansitgivesthemostfreedomofspeechundertheFirst Amendmentwhilestillbeingabletoletpeopleenjoy...uh...theirhomes andtheirproperty. GRAZIANO:And,Iwouldsayifyouwouldallreadthis,lookatit.If you'vegotalittleheartburnoverit,ifyoudiscussitwithCharlesbefore Monday,ifheneedstogetamendments,ifheagreeswithyouandhe wantstoamendit.HewantsthistopasstheendofJuly. SAMUELS:YeahI'mgoingtocallfor,I'mgoingtoaskforitbevotedon inthelastweekinJuly.So. GRAZIANO:IthinkRevahadherhandup.

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34 TRAMMELL:Isthis11o'clockweekdaysorjust11o'clockonweekends? SAMUELS:Everysingledayoftheweek. TRAMMELL:Sothey...sotheycould...evenintheneighborhoodthey couldbeplayingthismusicupuntil11o'clockatnight? SAMUELS:Aslongasitdoesn'tviolatethedaytimevolumestandards theycan.Andifit'sviolatingthedecibellimit,theycan't. TRAMMELL:DidyouseethatthinginthepaperaboutPrinceGeorge County.Theywerehavingsomuchtroublewiththedecibelthatthey gotridofitandnowit'sjustbycallingthepolice? SAMUELS:UmHum.But,theCommonwealth'sattorneysaidhewasnot interested...well...Idon'twanttoputwordsinhismouth.ThefeelingI gotfromtheCommonwealthattorneywasthathewasn'tinterestedin theplainlyaudible.Hethoughtthatadecibellevelwasgoingtobe easiertoenforceandwasmuchmorewillingtoprosecuteundera decibellevel.Mostpeopleareswitchingovertodecibellevelsinsteadof plainlyaudible. TRAMMELL:Yeah,butPrinceGeorgehaditandgotridofit. SAMUELS:Everyjurisdictionisdifferent. TRAMMELL:We'regoingtohave...we'regoingtojusthavesomuch,so manyproblemsbecausepeopledon't...theyfullydon'tunderstandit. Andnowwe'rechangingitfromnineo'clockatnightto11o'clockat nightandyouhavetorealize... SAMUELS:Forthelast20yearsit'sbeen11o'clockatnightasthe nighttime.It'sjustthatnobodyreallyworriedtoomuchaboutnoise. Peopleareonlyreallyconcernedaboutthis,Ithink,orarereallypaying attentiontoitbecauseit'scomeup.Youknow,theoldordinancework greatformany,manyyears.In2008,5800callsforservice,Ithink.No, I'msorry,8,500callsforserviceregardingnoise.Thepoliceissuedjust under300,orjustover300citations.Usually,youwalkup,aknockon thedoorissufficienttokeepthenoisedown.Ifit'snot,andtheyare issuedasummons,andthejudgeconvictsthem,thejudgehasthe authorityonthefirstoffensetogivethemuptoa$250fine.That's enoughtohurt.Butthejudgedoesn'thaveto.Hecangivehimafive dollarfine,hecangivethemaonedollarfine.Hecangivehim anywherebetweenzeroto250.Secondoffensewithinayearcomes withaupto$500fine.Thirdoffensewithinayear,you'relookingat possiblejailtime TRAMMELL:Theproblemistheycanplaythismusic...I'mjusttaking,for instance,thistrailerparkovertheweekend.Theywereplayingmusicso loudthepeoplewerecallingme.Isaidthere'snotanoiseordinance.

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35 Whenarewegoingtohaveone?Isaid"prettysoon."Well,what'sthe timegoingtobe?Isaid"rightnow,nineo'clock."AndnowIhavetotell themit's11o'clock.Whataboutwhenthechildrengotoschool,people gottogetupatfiveo'clockinthemorningandgotoworkandtheyare listeningtothisallnightlong.Youknowhowclosetrailersare. SAMUELS:Ido.Andthat'swhyitcan'tbelouderthan55decibelsinside somebodyelse'strailerafter11o'clock.Before11o'clockitcanbe65 decibels. TRAMMELL:Sothat'sloud. SAMUELS:It'sconversationallevel. GRAZIANO:Bruce,youhad... TYLER:Yeah,I...Youknow,Charles,its...it'sinterestingtoknowthatwe hadparticipationoftheCommonwealthattorneyallthewaythrough. Whydidhewait'tilthelastminutetocomeupwithchangesafterwe went[unintelligible]documentsdeepintothis.What,whathappened? SAMUELS:That'sagreatquestiontoaskhim. TYLER:Did...did...didTracygiveittosomeoneelse? SAMUELS:Imean,wehadarepresentativeoftheCommonwealth attorney'soffice,theDeputyCommonwealth'sattorney,atallthe meetings. TYLER:Yeah. SAMUELS:But,IrecentlymetwithAlanandMikeHerringandMikehad some,Mr.HerringhadsomeconcernsaboutitandsoItalkedtohim andaskedthatheputitinwriting.Andhedid.AndIadoptedsomeof them.Ididnotadoptotherones.WhatI'mrecommendingcertainones. I'mnotrecommendingothers. GRAZIANO:Ithinkthat,Charles,Iwouldthinkthatwewouldcertainly wanttheCommonwealthattorneyto,sincetheyaretheprosecutors,to beonboardwiththis. SAMUELS:Icouldn'tagreewithyoumore. TYLER:Doesheknowwhichonesyou...you...youhavesaidwe'rewilling toacceptandwhichoneswe'renot? SAMUELS:Idon'tknowifhedoesornot. TYLER:Couldyouaskthat?

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36 GRAZIANO:Yeah. SAMUELS:[unintelligible]himanemailback. TYLER:Alright. GRAZIANO:Okay. SAMUELS:Iwilldoit,butIhaven'tdoneityet. GRAZIANO:Alright,Marty,youhad... JEWELL:Well,yeah,Ijustneedtosaythattheamountoftediumthat's hasgoneintopullingthisthingtogether...myhat'sofftoyouguys. [unintelligible]But,again,bottomlinecomesdownto...toRiva'spoint that,uh,youneedsomethingthat'sgotteeth.Andifunlesswehave Commonwealth'sattorneygoingtoprosecute,teethgooutthe window.AndthisformerCommonwealthattorneybehindmewillagree Ibelieve,thatheisthesoledeterminerastowhotoprosecute,and whonot. SAMUELS:No,sir.No,sir.No,sir.No,sir. JEWELL:Huh? SAMUELS:AndDavidHicks,pleasecorrectmeifI'mwrong.Youguysdo notprosecuteorstanduptheredisputingaticket.Inyourtime,didyou everhaveanyCommonwealthattorneyprosecuteanoiseordinance violation? Hicks:Ican'tsaythatithasn'thappened.Idon't,Icannotrecall.Thelaw isthatthecommonwealthattorneyshallprosecutefelonies,may prosecutemisdemeanors.Whathappensandwhichmisdemeanorsthe Commonwealth'sattorneychoosingtoorchoosesnottoisasdifferent asthereare120Commonwealthattorney's. [Multiplespeakers] JEWELL:Doesthatnegatemycomment?Thatonmisdemeanorshe determineswhotoprosecute,whonot,however,howway? [Multiplespeakers] GRAZIANO:IwasIgoingtosay,let'sbringthisbacktothisordinance.I thinkMr.Hilbert... JEWELL:WellthisisaboutthatordinanceMadamePresident. GRAZIANO:Yessir.

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37 JEWELL:Thefactisunlesshe'swillingtoprosecute,we'vegotnothing. SAMUELS:No,that'snottruethough.Becauseapersongetsa summonsorissuesanarrestwarrant.Theywillhaveadayincourt. They'lleitherbeguilty,notguilty,anAlfordplea,ornocontest. Whetherornottheprosecutionisthere,therewillbethepersonthat issuedthecitationsayingwhytheydidit.Therewillbethepersonwho receivedacitationsayingwhythey'reisguiltyofitornotguiltyofit. Theymayormaynothaveadefenseattorneywithhimbutitdoesnot negatetheprosecution.ItnegatestheCommonwealthattorney's interestinaddinghisvoicetotheprosecution. GRAZIANO:Mr.Hilbert HILBERT:Yes.ThankyouMadamePresident. GRAZIANO:We'regoingtospendfivemoreminutesonthisbecausethis isgoingtobeamendedanyway. HILBERT:I'mgoingto...Igoingtotryandbequick.Ah,let'ssee,wellthe wordisdefinitelyoutthereonthestreetthatwedon'thaveanoise ordinancebecausepeoplebeingprettyflagrantaboutit.Ah,soweneed todothisquickly.Ah,andI'dliketoseethis,painfulhere,butlet's,the four,theclassfourmisdemeanordoesnotallowanymorethana$250 fine?Isthatcorrect? SAMUELS:Forafirstoffense.That'sright. HILBERT:Forafirstoffense.Okay.Well,ifwewantedtogoupto$500 youwouldn'thurtmyfeelingsonthis.But... SAMUELS:Wetalkedatgreatlengthaboutthatintheworkgroupand decidedthatsomanyfolkswereagainstanysortofcriminalpenalties forthisthatafineforthefirsttimearoundwasreasonable.Everybody's goingtomakesmistakes.Maybethisisthenightyoumadeamistake. Butifit'sarepeatedviolation,thenyou'relookingatjailtime. HILBERT:Okay.Alrightthat'sgoodenough.Page,uh,13,Ibelieve.No, I'msorry.11.Underviolationsofthearticle,itemD:anyperson operatingorcontrollingasourceofsoundshallbeguiltyoftheviolation causedbythatsource.Ithinktheexamplewasgivenofcityemployees outtherejackhammeringorwhathaveyouandthemsayingwell,Iwas directedbytheirsupervisortodothis.Imean,I'mnotsurethat the...thatthepersonoutthereonthestreetshouldbetheonetobear theburdenforthat.AndIwashopingthatwecouldexemptthecity fromthisbutaskforregulations,whetheritwouldbesomedisciplinary processbythechiefadministrativeofficer. SAMUELS:Wheneveryouexemptyourself,youopenupaPandora's box.I'veaskedtheadministrationtoprovidemewithwhattheythink

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38 wouldbereasonabletoaddressworkinstreetissues.Theyaredoing thisalreadyunderallworkinstreetstreetandbasicconstructionwork duringthedayarealreadyexempt.Thereissomespecialissuesabout nighttimeworkthatcouldbeaddressed.Um,youknow,DPWhasa questionabouttrash.NowIaskedthemplainandsimple.Giveittome inwritingandwecandosomethingwithit.And,asoftodayIhaven't gotanythinginwriting.So,Imeanit'suptotheadministrationwhat theywanttodoandwhentheywanttodoit.Thiscanalwaysbe amendediftheyrealizetheycan'tliveunderthis,butIdon'tthinkwe should...Idon'tthinkweshouldweakenedthisandaddalevelof scrutinytoitincourtthatwedon'tneedtohavebyexemptingthecity. GRAZIANO:But...butyouwouldifpublicworksorDPUhasanissuethey wouldgetthatissuedtoyoubytomorrow? SAMUELS:Bytomorrow.Becausetomorrownooniswhenit'salldone. GRAZIANO:Andtalktoyouaboutitthen,it'spossibletoamended. HILBERT:Andtheydidn'tsayanythingspecific,Ijust,whenwewere discussingthisinthepublicsafetycommitteemeetingthat'swhenthis cameup. SAMUELS:IftheygivemesomethingintimetoreviewitI'llbehappyto, butthedeadlineisfastapproaching.Iftheydon't,thereisnolawsays wecanamendthistoaddressthepublicworkandpublicutilityissues comeSeptemberwhenwegetback. HILBERT:Okay. SAMUELS:But,rightnowI'monatightdeadlinetomakeanyother changestothis. HILBERT:Great,andIappreciate... [Multiplespeakers] GRAZIANO:Whattime,whattime,Mr.Samuels,I'msorry,whattimeis yourdeadlinetomorrow? SAMUELS:Well,ithastobeinthecityattorney'sofficebynoon.I'vegot courtinthemorning.Sobasicallytonightwouldbewhentheywould needtogetittome,but,youknow.Iaskedthemtogetittomeat publicsafety.IknowItalkedtoDavidHicks.Talktothreeother membersoftheadministration.I...Ican'tputtheirhandtopaper. GRAZIANO:Mr.Hilbert. HILBERT:AndIstillhaveonelastquestionhere.IspokewithMr.Parnell thechiefadministrativeofficerfor,excuseme,thechiefoperating officerfortheRichmondFlyingSquirrels.Whathehassaidtomeisthat

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39 majorleaguebaseballwouldnot....Hesaidtheywouldgoballistic,I thinkwashisterm,iftheydelayedthegameinordertoshootthe fireworksoffshouldwesay10o'clockisit.Andsowhattheirsolutionis, ifitgoespastacertainhour,thattheywould...theywouldlessenthe noisegeneratedbythefireworks.Inotherwordstheywould downgradeallofthefireworks.Isthat...andyouhavetobeonyourown propertyinordertoevenhavestandingonthis... SAMUELS:Umhum. HILBERT:orinsidethedwellingthatyouhaveleasedinmultifamily unit.So...Imeanit'snotlikesomeoneisgoingtobestandingoutthere onthesidewalksaying,youknow,I'moffendedbythisbecausethey violatedthenoiseordinance.Youhavetobeonyourownpropertyor rentinginordertofileacomplaintaboutthis.So,Imeanthat'sa solution.Nowmaybe,youknow,theyneedtojudge,youknow,have somebodystandinginsomebody'syardorsomethingtoseehowloud theyareandmaybethey'llneedtotonethemdownbutthatwasthe responseIgotwhenIaskedthemregardlessofwhetherthegamewas overiftheyjuststartedsettingoffthefireworksatatimecertainandhe toldmethattheycouldn'treallydothat.So,that'sthesolutionthey've comeupwith. SAMUELS:Good. GRAZIANO:AndbacktoDPUDPW.Doyouhavecourttomorrow afternoon? SAMUELS:No,butthecityattorney'sdeadlineisnoonandIhaveto havetimetoreviewitfirstbeforeIcanagreeordisagreetothe amendments. GRAZIANO:If...Woulditbepossible,ifthereweresomeamendments,if yougotthemThursdaymorning,thatwouldwork? STAFF:I'lldomybest,but... SAMUELS:Idon'tknowifI'mgoingtomakeexceptions.Weworkedon thisfor10months. GRAZIANO:Iunderstand. STAFF:UltimatelyI'vegottotakemydirectionaboutwhatgoesintothe [unintelligible]. GRAZIANO:Right,Iwouldjusthatetoseeus...Ithinkeverybodywants thispapertomoveforward.AndIthinkeverybodywantsthispaperto moveforwardbeforetheendofJuly.ButIwouldhatetoputusina positionthatwemoveitforwardandithasseriousimplicationson someoftheworkthathastobedoneinthecity.

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40 SAMUELS:Well,Idon'tknow.Imean... GRAZIANO:I'mjustsaying... SAMUELS:There'sacertainnumberofhoursineveryday. GRAZIANO:IwouldliketoseethispapermoveforwardandI...Iwould liketoseeitmoveforwardwithoutusatthelastminutefindingout, andhavingalotofpeopleoncouncilconcur,thatitcan'tmoveforward becauseofthesituationitcreates. SAMUELS:Ifthat'sthecasethecouncilcanvoteitdown.I'maskingfor avoteatthelasthearing,thelastmeetinginJuly. GRAZIANO:Allrightthat'sitonthenoiseordinance.Nowlet'sgoto... Maybewe'llgetsomephonecallsbeforenoon. SAMUELS:Phonecallsaren'tgoingtocutit. =========================================================== ExcerptsfromCityCouncilFormalmeeting.July25,2011 OrdinanceNo.2011119. SAMUELS:"InApriloflastyearIbeganworking,meetingwithawork groupofavastarrayoffolkswithdifferentexpertisetorevisethecity's noiseordinance.Asyouallrecallin2009anissuedownatVirginia BeacheventuallyreachedtheVirginiaSupremeCourtandthestandard thatall,almostallVirginiajurisdictionsuseof"unreasonablyloud"was heldunconstitutionalbecauseitdidn'tgivepeopleafairwarningabout whatwasillegalwhenitcametoviolatingthenoiseordinance.Andso throughouttheCommonwealthjurisdictionsscrambledtocomeupwith newnoiseordinances.Iputoneforwardhereintownafteraboutanine monthwaittoseewhatelsewecoulddoandtolettheappealsprocess workintheTannercase.Thatunfortunatelyexemptedchurchnoise.It useda"plainlyaudible"standard.Andthereareseverallevelsof scrutinythatthecourtsmustuse.Andanytimereligionisinvolveda verystrictstandardmustbeused.Andthatordinancewasfoundtobe unconstitutionalbecauseitpromotedreligion.Notaspecificreligion. Religioningeneral.Itexemptedchurchbellsfromtheordinance.SoI gottogetheragroupofpeople.Includedrepresentativesfromthelocal musiciansunion,thecriminaldefensebarAssociation,theVirginia municipalleague,thecityattorney'soffice,CouncilmanBruceTyler,the Commonwealth'sattorney'soffice,VCU,theVCUpolice,theRichmond PoliceDepartmentaswellastheirattorneys,thecity'splanning department,theMayor'sChiefofStaff,themayor'schiefpolicyadvisor. AndI'mproudoftheeffortthisworkgroupputinoverthelastfew monthstohelpdraftanordinance.AndIwanttothankeachofthemfor thecountlessmeetingsweheld.Sooverthepast16monthsweworked

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41 ontheseissues.Weaddressedvolume,FirstAmendmentandother constitutionalissues,andtriedtouseareasonablecommonsense standardtodraftaworkablesoundcontrolordinanceforthecity.One ofthefirstthingswedidwaslookatotherordinances.Westartedoff withahugestack.Whittleditdowntoabout30andthenreviewed themtoseewhatwould,whatotherpeopleweredoing.Some examplesofthoseincludeSeattlewhichhasovera100pagesound controlordinance.AustinTexas.WashingtonDC.Boston.Charlottesville. Stanton.VirginiaBeach.EvenChincoteague.AndIpersonallycalledthe attorneywhowontheTannercaseandtalkedtohimatlengthabout whathesawasbeingadvantageousandproblematicinsoundcontrol ordinances.IalsotalkedtoalocalcriminaldefenseattorneywhoIknew hadaspecifictakeonit.Wereadarticles,lawreviewarticlesonsound controlordinancesandtheFirstAmendment.Andwedecidedtostart withthebasicquestionwhat'sthepurposeofasoundcontrol ordinance.TheUnitedStatesSupremeCourthasheldthatgovernment hasasubstantialinterestinprotectingitscitizensfromunlawfulnoise andthatthisinterestisperhapsthegreatestwhenthegovernment seekstoprotectthewellbeing,thetranquilityandprivacyoftheir homes.Wedecidedthatourinterestwasbestservedbycreating reasonableregulationsonthevolumeofnoisefolkshadtohearontheir propertyandintheirhomesnotthevolumeofthenoiseproducedby anyspecificaction.Welookedatkeepingthe"plainlyaudible"standard whichwehadusedandwhichnumerousjurisdictionsthroughoutthe state,throughoutthenation,used. Infact,NewJersey'smodelnoise ordinancesthestatesprovidetolocalitiesusesanexclusiveplainly audiblestandard.Wediscussedissuesstartingwithwhetherornotwe' dhaveanambientlevelofnoiseplussomeamountofnoiseoverthatas aviolationorifweshoulduseastraightlinenoisetestof"X"numberof decibels.Wefoundtherearesomerealissueswithbothbutendedup decidingonastraightlevelofnoiseforsomeveryobviousreasons. Numberone,noiseisdifferentthroughoutthecity.However,where peoplelivethereiscertainlevelsthatcanwakeyouupatnight.There arecertainlevelsthatcankeepyouupatnight.Andtherearecertain levelswhereyoucannolongerenjoyyourownproperty.Andwhilewe coulduseanambientlevel,itwouldendupbeingsubstantiallylower thanwhatwechose.Letmegiveyouanexample.Alotofareasusean ambientlevelofnoisefromdifferentareasoftownandthenadd5to 10to15dBontopofthat.Noise,ordecibels,increaseexponentially, whichmeansthat5dB,or10dBrather,issubstantiallylouderthanjust 10notchesonthespeakersystem.Inotherwords,goingfrom10to11 doesn'tmeanit'sknockingituponenotch.Andwealsofoundthat,for example,inthelowerfantheambientlevelsatnightwere40dB.Which meansifweonlywentup5to10dB,we'dbeat45to50dBatnight. Andwewantedtomakesurethatweweren'tjustsilencingthecitybut thatweweregivingpeopleachancetoenjoytheirownhomes.Sowe startedoffwithablanketsystem.Afteralotofdiscussion,tests,wehad anaudiologistcomeinandpresenthisthoughtsonthematter,we decidedthat55dBatnightinyourownhomewasareasonablelevelto hear.65dBatnightonyourpropertyoutsideyourhomewouldbe

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42 reasonable.Andthenduringthedaytimeitwouldbe75dBoutsideon yourpropertyand65dBinsideyourownhome.Togiveyouan example,55to65dBisaboutanormalconversation.Inotherwords, whatI'mtalkingatrightnowamplifiedmeasuresbetween70and75dB onaproperlyrateddecibelmeter.Nowletmetellyoualittlesomething abouttheonesthatyoumayhaveonyourphones.Imeasuredoneof those.Theyvarywildly.Icannot,cannotdiscouragetheiruseenough whencomparingwhatnoiseyouthinkwouldbeacceptable. [Unintelligible]mynormalconversationvariedbetween91dBand40 dBeventhoughmyconversationratestayedthesamejustasit'sdoing now.Sotakegreatcarewhenyoulookattheonesonyourphones whendecidinghowyoufeelaboutthat.Becauseofthatwewantedto makesurethatthepolicehaddecibelmetersthatwereabletobe introducedasevidenceinacourtoflaw.And,thankfully,thestatehas promulgatedregulationsonwhatlocalitiescanuseasdecibelmeters. Andwewillbeusingthosetomyunderstanding.Wealsotalkedabout... Wellletmegiveyouanotherexample.Wetalkedaboutdecibellevels andwhat'sreasonableandwhat'snot.AustinTexashas,duringtheday, 80dBisappropriate.Wego75inresidentialareas.Boston Massachusettsatnight,50dB.Wehave55.ThereisatowninIbelieve Mainethatdoes40.ButthevastmajorityaroundtheCommonwealthof Virginiarangebetween55and75dB.IbelieveCharlottesvilleisabout 10dBlouderthanours.IbelieveStantonisrightalongwithours.We alsoconsideredwhetherornotto[unintelligible]howloudyoucouldbe bywhatareaoftownyouwerein.Andatfirstwhatwelookedatwas zoning.Commercial,residential,industrial.Andwhilethatlegallypassed musterwewereconcernedabouttheconfusionthatcouldcausewhen noisecomesoffofoneareaoftownintoanotherzoningareaatan illegallevel.Andwedecidedthatitmademoresensebecausethiswas reallypurposefullyaimedforthepeopleofthecityofRichmond,the residentsofthecityofRichmondthatkeepingitatablanketlevelmade moresense.Itwasalsorecommendedthatweconsiderexempting entertainmentzoneslikeShockoeBottom,portionsofthefan,toallow foragreaternoiselevelsespeciallyatnightinthoseareas.AndwhileI thinktherearecertainlyalotofgoodargumentsforthattheconcern wasthattheConstitutionmaycausethattobemorestrictlyscrutinized thanzoningbycommercial,residentialorindustrial.Andsowealso wanted,andwealsowantedtomakesurethepolicehadaveryclear ideaaboutwheretheywerestandinganddidn'thavetocarrymaps aroundwiththeminadditiontodecibelmeters.Sowedecided,again, tokeepitat65/75duringtheday.Thenwealsohadtotalkaboutwhat kindofpunishments.Forthelastprobably20to30yearsit'sbeena classIImisdemeanorpunishablebyasignificantfineanduptosix monthsinjail.Theaveragepunishmentoverthelast20yearshasbeen a$25fine.Buttherewasalwaysthatfloatingoutandaround.We wantedtomakesurethatpeople,iftheywereconvicted,were punishedinanappropriatemannertobediscouragedfromdoingthis againwithoutabsolutelyjustslammingthemwithpunishment.Andso wecreatedagraduatedscaleofpunishment.Itstartswithamaximum fineof$250.Andthejudgeonlyoccasionallygoesthat goesthathigh.

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43 Butamaximumof$250forfirstoffense.$500forthesecondoffense within12months.Andthenfinallythepossibilityofincarcerationonly afterthreeoffenseswithin12months.Andwethinkthatthatdoesa goodjobofservingthepublicneed.Nowtogiveyouanidea.It'snot gonnasaythatjudgesinthecityofRichmondwon'tstilljustissued$25 finesbutitgivesthemleewaytoincreasepressureonsomeonewhois anhabitualviolatorofthisordinance.Awordaboutpunishmentand violations.In2008therewasover8500callsfornoiseviolationsinthe city.Therewere300,approximately300citationsissued.That'sbecause thepolicearereasonablefolksandtheydon'tjustgobustingin, knockingdowndoorsandarrestingfolksfornoiseordinanceviolations. Instead,youoftenhaveaknockonthedoorfromthepoliceofficer. 'Ladiesandgentlementhere'sbeenacomplaintaboutthenoise.We're askingifyou'dturnitdown.'Webelievethiswillcontinue.Inour discussionswiththepoliceitisourunderstanding.Wealsowantedto makesuretherewerereasonableexemptionstothislist.Thingslike lawncare,constructionwork,emergencywork,thosekindsofthings. Garbagepickupduringthedaytimehours.Thosethingswewantedto makesurewereexemptedaswellasemergencyvehicles.Trainnoise. Otherfederallyexemptedworkand...Thosesortsofthings.Ipersonally believethisreturnstopoliceofficerstoolchestanecessarytooloflaw enforcement.Ialsobelieve,moreimportantly,itprovidesthecityrelief, thecityresidentsreliefwhentheneighborlyrelationshavedeteriorated orcometosuchalevelthatgoingovertoyourneighborandjustasking themtoturndownthemusicisignoredorworse,violenceisthreatened againstyouforsimplywantingtobeabletogetagoodnight'ssleep.I knowthatsoundscrazythatsomeonewoulddothatbutunfortunately that'sthekindofstoriesIhear.Iknownoordinanceisperfect.Ifthere areamendmentsthatwillbemadeorneedstobemadeI'mhappyto workwiththepublic,theadministration,othercityCouncilmembers,to makethisanevenbetterordinance.Wehavegonetoolongwithout one.AndtonightI'maskingmycolleaguestovoteinfavorofthis ordinancesowecangetbackontrackinthecity.Thankyou." [Publichearingsupport] (Speaker1.Stronglysupportive.Infavorofdevelopmentand entertainment.) (Speaker2.DescribenoiseinHighlandParkatsixinthemorning. ChurchbusesonSundayblowhorns.Schoolbuswakesup neighborhood.Somethinghastobedoneaboutthenoise. Youthwillbedeafbefore30.) (Speaker3.Appreciatestakingdowntownlivingintoconsideration.) (Speaker4.Consideredleavingthecitybecauseofbeingkeptawake. Agoodnight'ssleepisnotnegotiable.)

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44 (Speaker5.Citiesarestrugglingtodealwithincreasingnoise.Thecity needsasoundordinance.) [Publichearingopposed] (Speaker1.) [Discussion.] Hilbert.(Samuelsdidabangupjob.Gladthatcounselhassoftenedup. Tomorrowthecitywillhaveanoiseordinance.Blatantnarcissistic behaviortowardsone'sneighborwillnotbetolerated.Purposeful defiantnoiseneedstobeturneddowntomorrow.) JEWELL:(Saidheisnotusedtobeingruledunconstitutional.Ifthis ordinanceisnotrightCouncilwilltryagain.Thisisanimportantissue. TRAMMELL:(Peoplearesickandtiredofnoise.) TYLER:(We'vespent12monthsonthis.) ROBERTSON:(Hadconcernsabouttheordinancebecauseofcallsin ShockoeBottom.Thereisasignificantdifferenceinthevolumeofnoise justknowingtheordinanceisinprocess.Nightclubbersstillhave concerns.Ordinanceislongoverdue.) JEWELL:(Askedwherethenoisewouldbemeasured.) SAMUELS:Therewasalotofrecommendations,comments,concerns aboutthatandattheendofthedaywerealizethatifwemakeita distancefromasource,inmostsituationsthatjustmakesthenoise illegalatacertaindecibellevelatacertaindistance.Itdoesn'tactually showthatthere'sanyproblemwiththenoise.Butifyoucanhearme talkingthisloudinyourbedroomat2AM,you'vegotaproblem. [Interjection]Wewantedtomaketheoffensiveness,thebothersome illegalnotthenoiseitself.Wecouldsaythatbarscan'tbemorethan 75dBat15feetfromtheirpropertyline.Butifyoudidthat....Imean, shucks,mostcitystreetsareatleast40feetwide.Andsotheonly peopleyoucouldpossiblyhaveoffendingisyournextdoorneighborif youliveinamixeduseareaorsomebodydrivingbyinacar.That'snot thepointofthisordinance.Thepointoftheordinance[unintelligible]. Andthat'sexactlywhereit'smeasuredfromwherethenoiseoffends notjustfromanarbitrarypoint. JEWELL:(Askedifthefocusisonresidentialareas.) SAMUELS:Everybusinesszoningwithafewexceptionsinthecityfor yearsandyearsnow,thereisarulethatsaysthatyoucan'thavecertain typesofnoisegoingpastyourpropertyline.SoIdidn'tthinkweshould trytomesswithallthezoningcodesifwe'rereallyworriedabout

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45 residentsandnotthebusinessesatthispoint.Thebusinesseshavetheir rulesalready. [OrdinanceAdopted.9/0]