Title
Approving the application of Protect Minnesota for a sound level variance for the Sensible Gun Laws NOW! Rally on Saturday, May 19, 2018 on the south steps of the State Capitol.
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, §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, Protect Minnesota, represented by Nancy Bence, Executive Director, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance at no specified sound level and no specified distance, to present amplified music and speeches on the south steps of the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 19, 2018; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to have the event on the south steps of the State Capitol; 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 Protect Minnesota, subject to the following conditions:
1) The variance shall be for the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 90 dBA as measured 50 feet from any sound source including equipment used for speaker announcements.
3) The applicant shall provide personnel and equipment who shall provide continuous sound level monitoring at each sound source during the hours of the variance.
4) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 3:00 p.m. on the event date.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on Saturday, May 19, 2018 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
Protect Minnesota, represented by Nancy Bence, Executive Director, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 for Sensible Gun Laws NOW! Rally on Saturday, May 19, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 12:00 p.m., on the south steps of the State Capitol. 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