07/25/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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t e was hazardous to not only his family's health, but also his neighbors' health. He had talked to police officers and found the average fine for noise and other violations was between $5 and $15. He said this amounted to nothing more than a sporting event for those young people dragging the gut. He was not against the young people having a good time, but said it should not be at the expense of the health, welfare, and livability of the residents in the area. He referred to a noise ordinance passed in September 1971 and cited various specifications of that ordinance. He also cited DEQ specifications for noise decibel levels. He felt this type of measurement would greatly reduce the noise if it were enforced by the City. He also said Portland Street and 30th do not connect and therefore should have some protection from the gut activity. Cordelia Ruddy, 3614 Agate, spoke as chairman of the South Town Merchants' Association. She said the group was torn between wanting to eliminate the gut activity 100 percent and wanting to go along with the proposed staff recommendations. She said the group was against permanent barriers turning off of Willamette Street, noting their business area had already lost on-street parking and was bothered by vandalism, trash, and litter. They were very much opposed to permanent barricades. She said the gut dragging hurt the business community in that area as no adults would go into the area on weekend nights. She said those in the Association who agreed with staff recommendations did so with reservations, and e felt the area should be strongly policed. Jim Johnston, 179 West 37th, Co-Chairman of the Crest Drive Neighbors Association, said they were not in the midst of the most serious problems, but did have problems with the spinoff activities. He cited litter and urinating in the yards. He stressed the need for litter cans and restroom facilities. He noted the proposed staff recommendation for the loop system would help considerably. He also spoke about the permanent barricades being proposed, and said he felt it would create a hardship for the South Town shopping area. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. Ms. Smith questioned Mr. Budd as to whether funding was available at this time for a staff outreach worker. Mr. Budd replied the funding had been lost but would be available again in October. She then asked if staff had talked with Mr. Becker and asked for clarification of the terms of the noise ordinance and whether it was being enforced. Assistant Manager replied it was one of the most enforced ordinances on weekends. He said there were two appli- cations, noting the unreasonable and raucous noise and equipment noise. He said 20 percent of the citations issued were based on the noise ordinance. He noted staff had been working with Mr. Becker over the past number of years regarding the noise problem. Also, staff had been looking at more sophisticated noise enforcement e equipment. He said a decibel-based noise enforcement could not be effectively enforced until more sophisticated equipment was obtained. He also noted staff had been looking at a major vehicle inspection program, but found it to be very costly. 7/25/77--3 5~