Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council ponders noise ordinance

Anyone wanting to play music loud can feel free.

Of course, dont be surprised when officers with the Prescott Police Department show up and write a citation for the offense.

The Prescott City Council, in its July meeting, was presented a model noise ordinance by Morris Irvin, assistant police chief. The ordinance, as he said, is a noise abatement ordinance, not just for loud music, but all loud noises.

The PPD, he said, has purchased two audio meters to check decibel levels with, if need be. However, Irvin added, things have gotten better.

This happened after 16 tickets were written, including three to the same person. Irvin said all were followed through the court system, and all offenders were fined.

All tickets issued, he said, were to local residents. Those from out of town are usually around the truck stops and not in neighborhoods. The model policy differentiates between commercial and residential areas.

Officers have been parking at the city park and local car washes most of the complaints came from.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said City Attorney Glenn Vasser will have an ordinance for the council to approve at its August meeting.

Councilman Ann Stockton said one of the biggest problems is people playing rap music filled with obscenities and leaving the music playing when they go into stores.

The ordinance is for noise abatement, Irvin said, not loud music only. It deals with more than loud music.

Taylor said the city will eventually have to deal with the fireworks issue as well.

Irvin told the panel PPD officers have been taking fireworks from children and notifying their parents. Most of the parents dont want the fireworks returned, he said.

The problem with fireworks, is they were being set off after 10 p.m. during the week. Councilman Billy House said the city needs to set a time when fireworks can be set off.

Irvin said PPD officers took it on themselves to deal with the firework issue, saying they couldnt be set off after 10 p.m. Theres no ordinance on it.

However, he said, on New Years Eve, its not going to matter what people are told, theyll be shooting fireworks off at midnight.

There was also discussion of Jake braking done by semi-trucks on the highways in residential neighborhoods. Taylor said the laws have changed to where ordinances cant simply read no jake braking, but must include a new legal term for it. Posted signs for jake braking must have this term on them as well.

City employees should be happy as they will be getting a raise retroactive to the first of July. City accountant Carl Dalrymple said the money for raises wasnt in the initial budget, but is there.

The council voted to give those making $9 an hour and under a 3 percent raise, while those making from $9.01 to $14 will receive a 2 percent pay hike. Those making more than $14 and hour will get 1 percent more.

Steve Crow, director of the Park and Recreation Department, said the Council established terms for those on the Parks Commission who live outside the city limits, but not for those who live in the city. The Council put names and numbers in a hat pulling them out to set the terms.

Billie Haynie will be on the Commission one year; Gary Lowdermilk has a two-year term; Trace Roberts will be there for three years; Pat Grimes, four years; and Steve Robison has a five year term.