ORD-2005-023 - Proposed County Noise Control Ordinance Revisions

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c Purchasing and Central Services Director Pam Jones summarized this information. She pointed out that, in anticipation that the sewer might be extended to the Solid Waste Operations Center, there has been a component of this contract added so that the same designer can extend the line out to the center. The cost is $97,000 for both components of the project. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he plans to vote against this because he does not think it is a good way to do business. There are a number of engineering firms in Orange County, and he would like to see competitive bids. He is only against the process. Pam Jones said that they did solicit bids from a number of firms. Philip Post & Associates submitted the only proposal. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to approve the Agreement with Philip Post & Associates to design a force main and gravity sewer to transport leachate from the onsite leachate storage lagoon at the Orange County Landfill to a proposed new manhole at the northeast corner of Eubanks Road and Millhouse Road and authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney. VOTE: Ayes, 4; Nay, 1 (Commissioner Halkiotis) c. Proposed County Noise Control Ordinance Revisions The Board considered adoption of proposed revisions to the County noise control ordinance. Craig Benedict said that this item was before the Board in a public hearing at the end of last year as a follow up to some complaints in the community. After meeting with residents and with the people that were creating the noise for sometimes - recreational purposes, the staff researched what has happened in other counties. They worked with the Sheriff's Office and the County Attorney's office to help with the revisions. He spoke about the three types of enforcement provisions: 1. There will be specific prohibited noises. 2. Reasonable neighbor standard (warning that there has been a complaint). 3. Specific hours of operation of louder noises. Craig Benedict explained the blue handout of Sheriff's Office Enforcement Procedures for the County Noise Ordinance Violations and Penalties, which are incorporated by reference. He said that the reasonable enforcement standard that the Sheriff will be working with allows some latitude to interpret the ordinance. PUBLIC COMMENT: Gene Poveromo lives at 4639 Old Greensboro Road and said that he lodged a complaint with the County two years ago about some noise issues. Things have decreased, but he expects them to possibly resume in the near future. He said that he would like the Board of County Commissioners to be open to re- visiting this issue in 12 months to see how it works. He appreciated Craig Benedict's explanation, which answered some of his questions. Commissioner Gordon asked why there are criminal penalties for making noise. Geof Gledhill said that violations of all County ordinances are misdemeanors. Someone would have to accumulate a series of convictions before going to jail for violating the ordinance. Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the decibel range for the chiller unit at the Whitted Center. He wants to find out if the County is in violation of its own ordinance. Geof Gledhill said that this ordinance does not operate in the Town of Hillsborough. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is in support of this if the County is not in violation of it. John Link will follow up on this.