| | | | | | | | | TO: | Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee Members |
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| FROM:
| Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| | DATE: | April 28, 2021
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| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSSION REGARDING NOISE CONCERNS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH. |
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
| At the October 14, 2020 Commission meeting, the Discussion Regarding Noise Concerns in the City of Miami Beach was referred to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) for discussion. At the NQLC meeting on December 16, 2020, the Code Compliance Department (CODE) received direction to explore decibel readers to track noise levels in the City. The NQLC motioned to return to the committee and to add then Vice-Mayor Meiner as a co-sponsor.
At the February 10, 2021 Commission meeting, the Discussion Regarding Measures to Enforce Noise Ordinances in Residential Areas was referred to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) for discussion.
During the March 22, 2021 NQLC meeting the above two items were discussed in conjunction with a third noise related item entitled, “Discussion Regarding Noise Emanating from Unorthodox Vehicles to Include Golf Carts, Slingshots, etc.” that was originally referred to the NQLC at the February 10, 2021 Commission meeting by Commissioner Samuelian and assigned to MBPD for handling.
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| Code procured four Extech Digital Sound Level Meters (Model 407732) which were received on February 18, 2021 and one Extech Sound Calibrator (Model 407744) that was received on March 8, 2021. These are the same decibel meters purchased by the Marine Patrol.
Assistant City Manager Eric Carpenter, Assistant Code Compliance Director Thomas Curitore along with Code Compliance Administrator Kenneth Varela conducted a site visit at Mangos Tropical Cafe on Ocean Drive to conduct a test of the sound meters from the surrounding areas including Lummus Park, the center line of Ocean Drive as well as the curb line of Ocean Drive to ascertain decibel levels for use a reference point.
Code is using these sound meters for a trial period of 120 days to gather data for analysis to assist in determining the best way to address noise in the City. Concurrently, the department is reaching out to other municipalities to ascertain if and how they incorporate sound meter readings as part of their noise enforcement.
The direction by the committee at the NQLC meeting on March 22, 2021, was to continue discussion regarding cameras for noise detection and ambient noise restrictions at the April 28, 2021 NQLC meeting. Based upon our research these cameras are currently not being utilized in the United States, there are potential legal and operational questions related to this equipment. Another approach may be to ask the State Legislature to tie a modified vehicle equipment citation to the registration renewal process as currently they have very little effect.
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
Code has researched the existence and availability of cameras for use in detecting noise as well as how other municipalities incorporate sound meter readings as part of their noise enforcement and will present their findings to the committee.
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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