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Approving the application of Shine In The World Ministries for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the Merge Twin Cities events on June 6-7, 2025 at 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd - Minnesota State Capitol Grounds.
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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, §293.09 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, Shine In The World Ministries, represented by Marketa Smith and Sydney Rheeder, Director of Operations and Campaign Director, who have been designated as the responsible persons on the application, has applied for a variance, for 92 dBA at 150 feet from the sound source, to present amplified sound at 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd - Minnesota State Capitol Grounds; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday June 6, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025, with pre-event sound checks at 1:00 p.m. on Friday June 6, and 8:00 a.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025 for the Merge Twin Cities event.; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd - Minnesota State Capitol Grounds; 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 Shine In The World Ministries, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 1:00 p.m. on Friday June 6, and 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. with a pre-event sound check at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 100 dBA as measured at 75 feet from all sound sources outside during the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 1:00 p.m. on Friday June 6, and 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. with a pre-event sound check at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025. All pre-event sound checks shall not exceed 80 dBA as measured at 50 feet from the sound source.
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 that 60 minutes apart thereafter. The report shall be made available for viewing by city staff upon request during the variance or within 30 days thereafter. Applicant shall 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 10:00 p.m. on June 6, and June 7, 2025.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the June 6-7, 2025 dates 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
Shine In The World Ministries, represented by Marketa Smith and Sydney Rheeder, Director of Operations and Campaign Director, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday June 6, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025, with pre-event sound checks at 1:00 p.m. on Friday June 6, and 8:00 a.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025. Chapter 293.09 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in Chapter 293.07.
Was proper notice given? YES - See Attachments