Title
Approving the application of University of Saint Thomas - Campus Life for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for a Tommie Fest event on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 2115 Summit Avenue - University of Saint Thomas, John P. Monahan Plaza.
Body
WHEREAS, Chapter 293 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code was enacted to regulate the subject of noise in the City of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, Section 293.10 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in § 293.07 upon a finding by the City Council that full compliance with Chapter 293 would constitute an unreasonable hardship on the applicant, other persons, or on the community; and
WHEREAS, University of Saint Thomas - Campus Life ("Applicant"), represented by Erin Whipkey, Assistant Director of Campus Life, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance for a sound level limit of 95 dBA at 50 feet from the sound source to present amplified sound at 2115 Summit Avenue - John P. Monahan Plaza, University of Saint Thomas; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, with pre-event sound checks between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., for the Tommie Fest event; and
WHEREAS, if the Applicant is not granted a variance, then the Applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 2115 Summit Avenue - John P. Monahan Plaza, University of Saint Thomas; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Safety and Inspections has reviewed the application and has made recommendations regarding conditions for the variance. Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby grants a variance to University of Saint Thomas - Campus Life, subject to the following conditions:
1) The variance shall be for the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, with pre-event sound checks for up to a no more than two-continuous-hour period between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., for the Tommie Fest event.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 92 dBA as measured at 50 feet from the sound source for the event hours of 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and shall not exceed 80 dBA as measured at 50 feet from the sound source during the pre-event sound checks for up to a no more than two-continuous-hour period between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., on Friday, May 15, 2026.
3) The applicant shall monitor the decibel level from the variance approved distance of each noise source and create a report that records the general operating decibel levels within 15 minutes of the start of each performing act and at intervals no greater than 60 minutes apart thereafter. The report shall be made available for viewing by city staff upon request during the variance and within 30 days thereafter. The Applicant shall also conduct a decibel reading during the variance upon request of city staff.
4) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers, or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026.
FURTHER RESOLVED, any violations of the conditions set forth above on Friday, May 15, 2026, the event date, may result in denial of future requests for the grant of a noise variance, in addition to any criminal citation which might issue.
Required Background Information
University of Saint Thomas - Campus Life, represented by Erin Whipkey, Assistant Director of Campus Life, has requested a variance from the sound level limitations in section 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, with pre-event sound checks between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Section 293.10 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in section 293.07.
Was proper notice given? YES - See Attachments