Council places downtown live-music noise policy back on pending list for committee review

Councilor Heidi raised recurring complaints from residents near downtown venues about live music and bars with doors open late at night and requested the council place the downtown live-music/noise policy back on the pending list for committee review. She said residents had reported music continuing past midnight and that police response had largely been limited to asking venues to reduce volume.

Heidi asked the council to consider whether the city needs additional regulatory tools — for example, a live-music permit or a licensing mechanism — that would provide clearer standards and give police stronger enforcement options. “I would like to put back into committee ... a discussion on, live music policy for downtown,” she said, adding the aim is to preserve a lively entertainment district while reducing residents’ disturbance.

Council staff and members noted the city already has a noise policy and that enforcement and permitted hours may have been set in prior ordinances; they agreed to keep the matter on the pending list and to return it for a committee discussion with police and relevant staff so council can assess options such as permit conditions or enforcement enhancements. No legislative change was made at the Sept. 17 meeting.