Some sing the blues about festival noise

Sisters City Councilors seem to agree that the recent Central Oregon Blues & Crawfish Festival was a nice addition to the summer calendar of events.

However, there is some concern about noise levels from the venue at Creekside City Park. The council talked over the matter at the July 10 regular meeting.

Councilor Lon Kellstrom, who lives in the vicinity of Creekside Park, said "I had neighbors who simply sat on their back porch and really enjoyed the music."

Councilor Shawna Bell lives on South Pine, quite a distance from Creekside Park, and heard the music clearly.

"It was loud. I even recognized one of the singers, a fellow I grew up with, the sound really carried a long way," she said.

Council President Bill Merrill added, "I spoke with a number of people who didn't formally complain but thought it was loud."

One resident who lives in the neighborhood adjacent to Creekside Park addressed the councilors.

Wishing to remain anonymous, she stated, "I'd just like to say that I found the noise level, particularly at night, to be excessive. I checked their permit for the event and there's nothing written about maximum noise levels, just about surpassing the time limit (10 p.m. each evening)."

This fact, along with the other noise complaints, has motivated the councilors to research and perhaps revise the existing "Parks Code."

Mayor Brad Boyd suggested that the council consider three options going forward: One, initiate a study of other city's noise levels with similar events. Two, consider limiting the event to one night, not three. Three, the city could decline to offer the festival a permit next year.

Bill Merrill was concerned about the location.

"I think Creekside Park is not appropriate for that kind of event," he stated. "We need to review our Parks Code to determine the parameters for the use of our parks."

The council agreed to begin the research and discussion about future parks events soon. Mayor Boyd instructed Lisa Young, director of finance and administration, and Brad Grimm, director of public works, to discuss the festival's amplification levels and neighborhood complaints with the festival's organizers, Amp Media Group.