Arly
Still also offers prayer for council
Council discusses
noise abatement
SUNNYSIDE (3-31-98)--City fathers last night
addressed loud noises--including a couple directed toward
themselves--during a short workshop session.
Councilmen heard from Dr. James E. Stevens, who
complained about:
City crews scraping away three inches of snow from
his street at 3 a.m. last winter, with equipment
generating 65-70 decibels.
City crews using a vacuum truck at 4 a.m. last
fall, generating up to 110 decibels.
Regarding last fall's incident, Stevens wrote that,
"The crew was not concerned in the least about the
disturbance and I do not think they were even aware of
it.
"Who is instructing these employees? Who is setting
the standards? The employees follow the guidance of the
leaders. Who is leading these people and what message are
they sending to the community?" Stevens asked.
Regarding Stevens' complaints, Public Works
Director Gary Potter said street sweeper noise can't be
helped, and early snow removal helps people who have to
drive to work.
"I'm not sure people want us to stop snow removal.
It prevents a lot of accidents," he said.
Potter also noted that people who live on Harrison
Hill enjoy a great view, but noise from the surrounding
city projects upward from all sides and slams into
residences at the top.
Councilman Errol Brown said, "I dunno. When Jim
Stevens complains of city snow removal, to me it's a
comfortable sound. I know the crews are out doing their
jobs. I'm sorry Jim's ears are so good. Maybe we ought to
leave his place quiet and leave the snow there,too," he
said.
Potter said he understood Stevens' concerns and
will try to work out a solution for worker noises in the
wee hours.
Police Chief Wallace Anderson indicated (Harrision
Hill) people make more noise about noise--mostly during
fall and winter--than the flatlanders.
Councilman Chad Werkhoven said the city can't
please everyone. He added that cars with souped-up sound
equipment are to blame for most complaints.
"What really makes people's blood boil is being
forced to listen to someone else's music," he said. He
suggested a week-long "car-noise enforcement", during
which mobile music monstrosities are pulled over and
ticketed.
Chief Wallace Anderson said the city has a
"take-no-prisoners" policy toward amplified
automobiles.
"We don't give warnings, we give tickets," he said.
Tickets cost offenders $450. The PD reportedly handed out
220 citations between 1995 and 1997. Anderson said
noise-related complaints have dropped from 78 the first
quarter of 1997 to 68 this year.
The chief said the biggest problem is responding to
a complaint about a noisy car only to have it nowhere in
sight by the time an officer moves in.
"If we can identify the car, we will issue a
citation," he said. He added that officers don't wait for
complaints. If they hear a noisy car, they'll pull it
over and give the driver a ticket.
City staff have obtained noise ordinances from
Ellensburg, Richland, Bellevue and Moses Lake with an eye
toward beefing up Sunnyside's own laws.
In other business, the council:
Heard anti-prayer activist
Arly Still say he made a mistake in past
council meetings by trying to get city fathers to remain
prayerless before meetings. "I realize my big mistake,
and I now have a prayer," Still said. "I made a mistake
when I voted for the bloc (four new councilmen) and I
pray that you get voted out during the next election."
Mayor Ed Prilucik thanked Still for his thoughts.
With that, Still sat down, crossed his arms, and shook
his head.
Praised city staff, and especially Mark Kunkler for
his work on a city economic development aid policy for
new and expanding businesses. The council's economic
development committee will meet today with Dave Fonfara,
director of the non-profit Sunnyside Inc., to further
massage the new policy.
Agreed to pare down the city's $21.5-million
budget--approved by the "old" council last December--by a
total $80,000. Cuts won't touch staff, and will be across
the board, not merely from the city's current expense
fund. The council expects to come to closure on the issue
by its meeting April 13.
Tentatively set April 27 for a "Community Forum",
in which Sunnysiders can address concerns and ideas to
the council. Time of day will be announced. The goal is
to conduct such forums quarterly in years ahead.
Noted that litter--according to one
complaintant--still spills into the streets from the Dark
Horse Inn. Owner Rosendo Magana has built a fence to cut
off parking lot traffic, but didn't erect a gate. Someone
reportedly drove through the breach, knocked down a post,
and sheared off a few slats.
