Published: August 20, 2008 09:51 am      

Camanche to enact noise permit policy

CAMANCHE — The city of Camanche soon could have in place a procedure for residents to obtain a permit in order to have an outdoor event with music.

In July, Camanche resident Dan Srp addressed the council regarding an event held July 4 at the Camanche Marina in which friends and family gathered to hear a local band perform. He said approximately 60 to 70 people attended the event held on private, commercial property with the permission of the owner and tenant. The band began performing at 9 p.m., but due to a noise complaint, the event was stopped by a police officer shortly after they had begun. Srp asked the council know how to go about planning another such event so that it may be held again in the future.

City Administrator Tom Roth researched the policies of other Iowa cities regarding outdoor events and proposed the council implement a noise permit policy and event application. The proposed policy outlines that Camanche residents may file a “private event application” with the city and offer a $100 deposit that could be forfeited if a complaint is received. On Tuesday, Roth said whether the noise level is excessive will be the judgment of the responding police officer, but the policy specifies a concept of whether residents within 100 feet of the event can hear their television with the windows closed.

City Attorney Tom Lonergan noted the policy not only includes the possible forfeiture of the $100 deposit, but also includes a provision for officers to ticket the event under other city ordnances and state statutes or end the activity. Roth stated that if a valid complaint is received by the city and officers request that event organizers reduce the noise level, then must return later in the evening due to another complaint, the event could be terminated and city or state ordinances would be enforced.

Srp remarked that the permit allows events until 10 p.m. and said that some events continue until 11 p.m. or midnight.

He questioned whether a variance could be allowed for events continuing past 10 p.m. Roth said a change to the proposed policy could be included to allow residents to apply for events continuing past 10 p.m. and the applications could be approved by the city council. Robertson noted the policy includes a provision for seven days notice and application to the city prior to the event, but an application for an event continuing past 10 p.m. could require up to 14 days for approval by the council which meets twice per month.

Regarding a question whether an application need to be filed for every event held within the city, Roth said the policy would pertain mainly for events with music or noise above typical limits. Roth said he would make suggested changes to the policy and bring it back to the council at the next meeting. The private event policy could be approved by the council on Sept. 2.

Earlier in the meeting, the council heard from Pete Walters, vice commander of the Camanche Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Walters said members of the Camanche VFW Post discussed the city’s concerns regarding a new veterans memorial at a meeting held Monday. He said a buy-a-brick campaign has begun and area VFW and American Legion members have been notified that they may purchase a brick for $25, with the funds being used to erect a permanent monument. He added that a donation campaign would begin with donation cans set at the Junge Barber Shop, in order to raise the more than $3,000 needed to erect the monument. He said the VFW voted unanimously to place the monument at the Historical Society Museum, feeling the site is very accessible to residents and veterans.

Walters said the VFW trustees would maintain the memorial until unable to do so and have asked the Camanche Kiwanis to carry on the responsibility after that. He said if the Kiwanis decline, perhaps the Historical Society would agree to take care of the tank. He assured the council the maintenance responsibilities would be secured.

The council also discussed the status of the duster tank in Central Park. Roth said the tank would remain in the park and city workers would erect a fence around the tank in an effort to keep children from playing on it. Public Works Director Dave Rickertsen said the tank would be sandblasted, primed and spot painted. Mayor Jim Robertson expressed a need for an informational plaque about the tank at the site. City officials estimated a cost of $7,000 for the renovation of the tank and installation of a fence and plaque.