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192 PUBLIC ~ARING/ORDINANCE: APPROVING LEASES FOR DOWNTOWN KIOSK AND DOWNTOWN VISITORS CENTER Mr. Aubrey Watts, Director of Economic Development, said that the ordinance will approve leases for the kiosk and Visitors Center and subleases in the building to be occupied by the Visitors Center. Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Mr, Watts said that the rent will be $45,000,20% which will be paid by the Visitors Center, for the 2,700 square foot space. Mr. Cox said the facility is not that attractive and asked if anything v~fJI be done to improve its look. Mr. Watts said that signage will be added as well as window treatments and furniture. Mr. Watts noted that parking spaces will be available. Mr. Cox said for tourists this may be their first impression and he hopes we are not skimping on the space. Mr. Cox said maybe it will be best to let it happen and see what needs doing. Mr. Cox said he hopes the kiosk will sell newspapers, and said he hopes we can address the issue of newspaper boxes on the mall. Mr. Caravati asked if the location is fixed for the kiosk and what would need to be done if it was moved. Mr. Caravati said he has also had requests that the clock on the kiosk work. Mr. Watts said the lease would need to be amended if the kiosk was moved. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Jill Williams asked if the Visitors Center will be located behind the Central Fidelity Bank building, and she was told that it will be. The public hearing was closed. On motion by Mr. Cox, seconded by Ms. Richards, the ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR A DOWNTOWN VISITORS CENTER AND FOR USE AND OCCUPANCY OF THE DOWNTOWN KIOSK" was offered and carried over to the neXt meeting for consideration. REPORT: AMPLIFIED MUSIC ON DOWNTOWN MALL Ms. Kelley said the City Attorney's office was asked to look at solutions to the problem of excessive noise from amplified music on the downtown mall. Ms. Kelley said that research shows that people have a right to amplified speech, but the City can reasonably regulate noise. Ms. Kelley said she would not recommend a ban on all amplified sound on the mall. If Council wants to move forward with an ordinance, she recommends a fairly simple one, either a nuisance ordinance or one based on a decibel level, with exceptions allowed for special events and construction activities. Ms. Kelley said a baseline measurement for background noise on the mall would needed to be taken. Ms. Kelley said she favors Alexandria's ordinance which measures noise at a distance of 10 feet. Mr. Cox said he thinks 10 feet is appropriate for a pedestrian area, and asked if restaurants will ultimately have to lower their noise levels. Ms. Kelley said it was not the intent to regulate restaurants, as Alexandria's ordinance distinguishes between noise coming from private versus public space, but it would be possible to include private spaces. Mr. Lynch asked if the decibel level could be dropped and regulate anything that is audible over background noise at a distance of 50 feet.