Minutes 10-07-2021 Virtual work session

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21 John Roberts said he does not know why firearms were not included. Commissioner Bedford asked if the current noise ordinance includes loud parties. John Roberts said he does not think loud parties are included. Commissioner McKee said he thought parties had to reach a certain decibel level. Chair Price said in her experience noise ordinances were for certain loud industrial activities. John Roberts said there are 18 exceptions to the noise ordinances, and the discharge of firearms is one. Commissioner Bedford asked if a new ordinance limited hours on the discharge of firearms would it be included in the general noise ordinance. John Roberts said he would not include it in the noise ordinance, but rather would include it in the firearm ordinance. He said the wording could include a timeframe of darkness to 9 a.m. Commissioner McKee said there is recreational shooting/hunting at night. Commissioner Bedford clarified that hunting would be exempt. Commissioner Bedford said the complaints have come from daytime shooting. She said there was one resident who said a bullet entered her home. Commissioner McKee said shooters are liable for their projectiles, both legally and civilly. Commissioner McKee said he knows the Sheriff will try to enforce a firearm ordinance, but he has concerns that an ordinance would be unenforceable and deputies will be wasting their time chasing shots all over the county. He said this is an ineffective use of a deputy's time. John Roberts said the Sheriff has said it will be difficult to enforce a firearms discharge ordinance, because by the time a deputy gets there, the shooting has stopped. Commissioner Greene said due to the enforceability aspect, she is more interested in pursuing a time frame ordinance for future shooting ranges. She suggested sundown to 9 am, and not on Sundays. Chair Price said this proposal can be brought back for a business meeting. Commissioner Greene said she will make a petition for this at a future meeting. Commissioner McKee asked is there a legal definition of a shooting range, beyond a professional, "pay to play" range. John Roberts said the state law that defines a sport shooting range is very broad, and he read the definition. He said it is an area designed and operated for private and commercial shooting. Commissioner McKee said he is unsure how the county prosecutes these issues if the Sheriff's Department follows up on them John Roberts said there would have to be a way to determine when the range was established, testimony from neighbors seeing a berm or a backstop being built, or asking the county to inspect. Chair Price said the Board will not do anything further until another proposal is presented. 7. Boards and Commissions Appointment Process Discussion The Board discussed the boards and commissions' appointment process and supplementary materials for appointment discussions.