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http://www.auburnjournal.com/articles/2006/01/24/news/top_stories/03city24.txt
No law for noise reduction, city says
Council looks at drafting recommendation to be forwarded to Legislature
By: Michelle Miller, Journal Staff Writer
Monday, January 23, 2006 11:46 PM PST
After receiving 150 complaints from citizens and authorizing a lengthy investigation to find solutions, the Auburn City Council heard Monday that nothing could be done to lessen vehicle noise in the city short of petitioning the state Legislature for a change.
In May, 150 citizens signed a petition objecting to excessive noise from motorcycle exhaust systems and truck engine "Jake" brakes.
But there appears to be no law Auburn police can enforce to reduce motorcycle noise.
"In all the research we've done, unfortunately it's a vicious circle that has brought us back to the finding that Section 23130 that had made allowable to us additional enforcement tools was repealed in 2001," said Auburn Police Chief Valerie Harris
That vehicle code set limits for decibel readings on motorcycle noise. Now, loud after-market additions to exhaust systems, such as the "Screaming Eagle" parts, are legal to sell and use.
Jake brakes, however, are a safety issue for drivers and their use cannot be regulated.
Harris said she would support efforts to contact legislative branches and state agencies about the lack of a motorcycle noise law.
"We're not the first city and this won't be the last time someone will try to tackle this," said Dave Lawicka, Auburn motorcycle officer, who also investigated what could be done about the problem.
Mayor Mike Holmes recommended Harris work with interested parties to draft a recommendation that the council could forward to the state Legislature, perhaps working with neighboring foothills cities that have faced the same problem.
Some members of the public felt that the city hadn't done enough.
"When motorcycles come through on the weekend, it is miserable, not irritating," said Barbara Goehring, a resident of Aeolia Drive above Highway 49, who spoke at the meeting. "They rev their engines and you can't watch TV, you can't have a conversation, they wait until the light changes and make as much noise as they can."
Councilwoman Bridget Powers commended the members of the public who brought this issue to the council's attention.
"The reason we are here is because you asked us to take a look at it. I commend Chief Harris and Officer Lawicka for all their research that has got us here today," she said. "I live on the canyon and I hear all these noises. I also own and ride a motorcycle, but I practice quiet riding as much as possible."
In other business, the city council:
· Heard a quarterly investment report from Finance Director Andy Heath that shows portfolio yield is at the highest level in three years at 3.93 percent thanks to changes in investing.
· Applied for grant funds from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment for $360,000 to restore the Cooper Amphitheater at the Auburn School Park Preserve Project.
· Accepted the completion of system upgrades Auburn's cable provider, Starstream Communications, thereby lengthening their contract with the city by five years.
· Approved two retroactive three-percent raises for city firefighters.
The Journal's Michelle Miller can be reached at [email protected].
http://www.auburnjournal.com/articles/2006/01/24/news/top_stories/03city24.txt
No law for noise reduction, city says
Council looks at drafting recommendation to be forwarded to Legislature
By: Michelle Miller, Journal Staff Writer
Monday, January 23, 2006 11:46 PM PST
After receiving 150 complaints from citizens and authorizing a lengthy investigation to find solutions, the Auburn City Council heard Monday that nothing could be done to lessen vehicle noise in the city short of petitioning the state Legislature for a change.
In May, 150 citizens signed a petition objecting to excessive noise from motorcycle exhaust systems and truck engine "Jake" brakes.
But there appears to be no law Auburn police can enforce to reduce motorcycle noise.
"In all the research we've done, unfortunately it's a vicious circle that has brought us back to the finding that Section 23130 that had made allowable to us additional enforcement tools was repealed in 2001," said Auburn Police Chief Valerie Harris
That vehicle code set limits for decibel readings on motorcycle noise. Now, loud after-market additions to exhaust systems, such as the "Screaming Eagle" parts, are legal to sell and use.
Jake brakes, however, are a safety issue for drivers and their use cannot be regulated.
Harris said she would support efforts to contact legislative branches and state agencies about the lack of a motorcycle noise law.
"We're not the first city and this won't be the last time someone will try to tackle this," said Dave Lawicka, Auburn motorcycle officer, who also investigated what could be done about the problem.
Mayor Mike Holmes recommended Harris work with interested parties to draft a recommendation that the council could forward to the state Legislature, perhaps working with neighboring foothills cities that have faced the same problem.
Some members of the public felt that the city hadn't done enough.
"When motorcycles come through on the weekend, it is miserable, not irritating," said Barbara Goehring, a resident of Aeolia Drive above Highway 49, who spoke at the meeting. "They rev their engines and you can't watch TV, you can't have a conversation, they wait until the light changes and make as much noise as they can."
Councilwoman Bridget Powers commended the members of the public who brought this issue to the council's attention.
"The reason we are here is because you asked us to take a look at it. I commend Chief Harris and Officer Lawicka for all their research that has got us here today," she said. "I live on the canyon and I hear all these noises. I also own and ride a motorcycle, but I practice quiet riding as much as possible."
In other business, the city council:
· Heard a quarterly investment report from Finance Director Andy Heath that shows portfolio yield is at the highest level in three years at 3.93 percent thanks to changes in investing.
· Applied for grant funds from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment for $360,000 to restore the Cooper Amphitheater at the Auburn School Park Preserve Project.
· Accepted the completion of system upgrades Auburn's cable provider, Starstream Communications, thereby lengthening their contract with the city by five years.
· Approved two retroactive three-percent raises for city firefighters.
The Journal's Michelle Miller can be reached at [email protected].
