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5 <br /> Mr. Norris asked what the rationale was behind limiting the noise to amplified, <br />and Mr. Tolbert said Council was trying to regulate music, not conversation. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell presented a summary of noise coming from Bel Rio. He noted <br />that while the average was much lower, it was as high as 92.6 a few weeks ago. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked how many total noise complaints there have been in Belmont <br />and how many of those are from Bel Rio. <br /> <br /> Lieutenant Cheryl Sandridge of the Charlottesville Police Department said that <br />100% of the complaints were about Bel Rio. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. O’Connell, Lieutenant Sandridge said that the <br />noise meters used by the Police Department are calibrated before and after each use and <br />certified for the court. She noted that they do not measure base, just noise. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked if measures have been taken to work with Bel Rio to be a better <br />neighbor, and if so, what was the response. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said staff has met with the owner of Bel Rio and sound proofing was <br />suggested, but staff was told that they had already invested in the building and they <br />would not be spending any more money. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Baldi, owner of Bel Rio, said $30,000 has been put into the building. He <br />said he asked the neighborhood association to meet at Bel Rio to discuss possibilities, but <br />they have not responded. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja noted that the proposed ordinance is very limited in scope and will <br />apply to a very limited area of the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked if noise complaints have been received from Fontaine Avenue, <br />and Mr. Tolbert said no. <br /> <br /> Ms. Szakos said ordinances are not punishment, but they give residents a tool and <br />are not subjective. She said it is time for an ordinance in this neighborhood. She said she <br />is a musician, but when there is a line between businesses and residents we need to find a <br />balance. She said we have moved too far to one side. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said Council has been asked to give the neighborhood a chance to <br />work this out themselves, but he is pessimistic about that happening. He said a <br />compelling case has been made for how important music is to Charlottesville, and we <br />should be careful not to take too quick a step in the wrong direction. He said he does not <br />agree that this is the first step in the direction of a city-wide ordinance. He said this <br />addresses a specific problem in a specific neighborhood. He said he is still concerned <br />that 60 decibels is too low a standard and would rather err on having the decibel level <br />being too high and adjust it later than have restaurants close. He said he would prefer to <br />see the level set at 65 decibels. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said this is an opportunity for Bel Rio to think about insulation. She <br />said she would like to look at the complaints and readings in six months as well as their <br />business. <br /> <br /> Ms. Szakos said she does not think 65 decibels would deal with complaints, and <br />would agree to a level of 60 decibels. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said he thinks a decibel level of 60 would be a compromise on both <br />sides. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said that with the average night at Bel Rio being 63 to 65 decibels, this <br />ordinance would not clamp down on them, and he would agree with the 65 decibels. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown made a motion to amend the ordinance to set a limit of 65 decibels <br />after 11:00 p.m. <br /> <br />