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<br />, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />~ <br />~~HILLS <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />Agenda Item 2.D. <br /> <br />December 20,2004 <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Mayor and City Council Members <br />Michelle Wolfe, City Administrator <br /> <br />Schawn Johnson, Assistant to the City Administrator S0!5 <br />Dave Scherbel, Building Official <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />Noise Ordinance Information <br /> <br />Background <br />City staff has received a few complaints from residents regarding jake braking and traffic <br />congestion concerns on State Highway 10. According to the resident's concerns, the traffic noise <br />along thc Highway 10 corridor makes it very difficult for residents to keep their windows open <br />during the spring and summer months. The traffic noise is especially loud during rush hour <br />traffic. Due to the high congestion levels, truck drivers are using jake braking techniques to <br />minimize the wear and tear on there brakes. When truck drivers use the jake braking technique, <br />it creates a high pitched sound that can be very bothcrsome to the residents in this area. <br /> <br />A second resident cxpressed concerns regarding the roof top air conditioning unit at Valentine <br />Hills Elementary School. The resident believes that the air conditioning unit is excessively loud <br />and should be repaired by the Mounds View School District. At this time, the City has no <br />ordinance or jurisdiction that allows us to require that the Mounds View School District research <br />this noise complaint. <br /> <br />Staff Concerns-Highway 10 <br />City staff has contacted a number of commuml1es regarding the enforcement of noise <br />regulations. Local governments are not allowed to legally pass an ordinance that prohibits the <br />use of jake braking or dynamic engine braking. The City would have to pass a noise ordinance <br />that states specific decibel limits for particular activities. A City cannot cite a truck driver for <br />using dynamic engine braking unless they exceed the noise levels cited in a City ordinance. <br /> <br />A second concern is the enforcement of a noise ordinance. Ramsey County Sheriffs Department <br />would be asked to enforce the noise ordinance policy. We are not sure if they would have the <br /> <br />\\Earth\Admin\Assistant City Administrator\Memo's and Letters\2004\Noise Ordinance Memo-2.DOC <br />