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- It's agin' the law
- Music festival hits a sour note
- SUNNYSIDE (Monday, 5-10-99)---The Back to Country Music Festival will probably take place in the city's Central Park July 3, but it hit a sour note at tonight's city council meeting.
- Today's guitar pickers use amplified instruments which, according to city law, are a no-no in Central Park.
- City staff saw the current ordinance as a roadblock for the summer shindig. They suggested the council amend Chapter 9.34 of the Sunnyside Municipal Code to "eliminate prohibition of amplified music" in the park.
- To do so, however, opened a can of worms the council didn't want to deal with tonight. They tabled discussion about amending 9.34 until their next meeting May 17.
- City Atty. Mark Kunkler recounted that, four or five years ago, the council passed the present ordinance because those living near Central Park complained about noise. The council--in the midst of noise abatement talks at the time--simply banned amplified music in the Park.
- Kunkler indicated that, if the ban is removed and amplified music is again allowed, it wouldn't be wise for the city to pick and choose who would be allowed to play there, when, and how often.
- He noted the city now has an administrative review process in the general noise ordinance--if an event making big noise goes past 10 p.m. organizers must get a variance.
- Councilman Roy Anciso said if music again is allowed in Central Park, "We want to open it up to all. We don't want to pick this one and deny this one. I have no objection to amplified music. But I want it to be equal for everyone."
- Councilman Chad Werkhoven said the way the amendment is written, "Even a boom-box could be an amplified source. Any musical event should be city-sponsored. I think we need to put a pretty tight lid on what we have in the park."
- Councilman Mike Farmer said "This concerns me. People who live around the park have to put up with a lot. They shouldn't have to be inundated with music six or seven times a year."
- When Vlieger suggested maybe three events a year maximum, Anciso said "We do not want to get into picking and choosing," he said.
- In other business, the council:
- Shook hands with Beautification Committee Award winner Jim Galbraith, who received a plaque from Committeewoman Benji Aguilar.
- Approved a parade permit for the Kiwanis Kids' Day Parade set for 11 a.m. to noon May 15.
- Approved a parade permit for the Goldwing Lighted Night Parade scheduled for 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 3.
- Referred to the Planning Commission a petition for annexing the Curfman Steel property.
- Praised Yakima Waste Systems, a city contractor, for its operations in the city. YWS representative Scott Robertson asked if his crews could pick up garbage beginning at 6 a.m. rather than 7 a.m. in the heat of June, July, and August. The request was approved if residents are notified, and if complaints about noise at that hour are very few.
- Agreed to discuss fire access codes, duplexes in R1 zones, new EKG equipment for the Fire Dept., spending in the arterial street fund, and other items at the council's May 17 meeting.