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Mayor Hosterman closed the public hearing. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan asked how the guidelines propose to address cumulative noise sources that <br /> may end up exceeding 60 decibels at the residential plane. <br /> Alan Rosen, acoustical consultant with Rosen Goldberg Der & Lewitz, said this was not addressed in <br /> the guidelines and would likely be managed on a case by case basis. He explained several methods <br /> but said it would be an iterative process to try and identify the dominant noise source and likely result in <br /> all sources being asked to lower their amplification. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan strongly recommended that staff develop a clear process for identifying noise <br /> sources, enforcing a reduction in amplification, and then repeating measurements to ensure <br /> compliance. He said enforcement is something they discussed at the Task Force level and is of <br /> significant concern. He asked if the increase in operating hours and noise levels would result in <br /> increased police presence or active monitoring efforts. <br /> Police Chief Spiller said the department's downtown presence would be very similar to its current <br /> posture. Specifically, the guidelines will not result in additional staff positions or formal redeployment to <br /> the downtown area. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan asked that the staff and Council revisit the idea of monitoring and enforcement <br /> as the effects of the guidelines evolve. <br /> Councilmember McGovern asked how many officers are on shift between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 <br /> a.m., and whether any are specifically assigned to the downtown. <br /> Chief Spiller said the number varies from as few as 5 to as many as 20 officers due to overlapping <br /> shifts and depending on the community activities scheduled. <br /> Councilmember McGovern said that while everyone likely supports vitality, there are definitely <br /> consequences if not done properly. She noted at least one local bar that has increased police presence <br /> as their closing time approaches. She asked whether it would be possible to increase presence <br /> downtown between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. in order to discourage some of the more inappropriate behavior <br /> that tends to accompany public drunkenness. <br /> Mr. Fialho advised against inventing that directive in the document but said the Chief could certainly <br /> emphasize that in terms of his deployment. <br /> Councilmember McGovern asked how staff reconciles the Negative Declaration, which says the <br /> increase in allowable noise levels is insignificant, with the General Plan statement that an increase in <br /> exterior noise of more than 4 decibels is required before the increase is considered significant. <br /> Mr. Rosen noted the General Plan identifies an increase of more than 4 decibels. He explained that the <br /> General Plan refers to a 24-hour average noise level, which is different from instantaneous noise levels <br /> like those being proposed here. He also explained the perception of noise relative to changes in <br /> decibels. He said that increases generally start to be noticeable, but not dramatic, at an increase of 5 <br /> decibels and 10 decibels the point at which one might perceive a doubling of loudness. He felt than an <br /> increase of 4 decibels would be just a little more than noticeable, if at all. He also explained that while <br /> the perception does vary based on the original noise level, it is generally less noticeable at higher levels <br /> due to the compression in the sound. <br /> 11 <br />