Item J04
Board of County Commissioners
Agenda Item Summary
Meeting Date: April 18, 2001
Bulk Item: Yes CI No .
Division: Board of County Commissioners
George R. Neugent
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Discussion regarding noise abatement in a joint effort between Unincorporated
Monroe County and the City of Key West due to noise from improperly muffled
motorcycles entering and riding in the' Keys
.~'\
ITEM BACKGROUND:
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION:
Request representative of Sheriff's department to be present. Support of suggested
advertisement in motorcycle magazines that MOCO/Key West welcome with open
arms bike riders, however, due to noise from improperly muffled bikes MOCO and
Key West is noticing violators and will be targeted and ticketed.
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: YES CI NO []
COST TO COUNTY: $
REVENUE PRODUCING: YES CI NO CI AMT PER MONTH: YEAR:
APPROVED BY: COUNTY AnY CI OMB/PURCHASING CI RISK MANAGEMENT C
APPROVAL:~
MA GEO E . NEUGENT
DISTRICT II
DIsPosmON:
TO FOLLOW C NOT REQUIRED C
AGENDA ITEM # I-:rr:i--
DOCUMENTATION: INCLUDED .
JIMMY WEEKLEY
Mayor
THE CITY OF KEY WEST
p,O, BOX 1409
KEY WEST, FL 33041-1409
. ',-.
March 26, 200 I
Mayor George Neugent
25 Ships Way
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
"
"
Dear Mayor Neugent,
I would be happy to work with Monroe County to help address the noise issues that arise
from motorcycles using illegal straight pipes visiting the Florida Keys. Like yourself, I
welcome these visitors to our community but expect them to respect our ordinances as I
would of any of our guests.
It would seem that the most successful plan would involve coordination during the most
popular motorcycle events, in particular the Poker Run and next years' Daytona Bike
Week event. During this time, we should attempt to heighten the awareness of
motorcyclists as they traverse US-I towards Key West. This could involve having
informational signs placed in highly visible places along the Overseas Highway, and
increased enforcement along the Keys would be appreciated as well.
On our end, we will work with the organizers of the event to heavily promote exhaust
pipe compliance, and will continue our work in notifying motorcyclists that the proximity
of our residential and commercial districts makes excessive motor noise particularly
annoying to our residents.
I would also ask if you would be interested in co-sponsoring advertising that would
appear in motorcycling magazines that would help welcome prospective visitors to the
Florida Keys, but at the'same time informing them that they will be expected to comply
with current state exhaust pipe ordinances.
I look forward in working with you in addressing this issue that is of critical concern to
many of our residents.
Sincerely,
Key to the Caribbean
Average yearly temperature 770 F.
Page I or I
From: CarmenTurn@aol,com <CarmenTurn@aol.com>
To: gneugent@mail.state.fl. us <gneugent@mail.state.fl. us>
Date: Friday, March 16, 2001 10:24 PM
Subject: Re: Noise of Bikers
Terri,
Would you please tell Mayor Neugent that I would welcome ANY assistance
the County could offer us. My district includes a large part of Old Town,
and I can't tell you the number of complaints I've received in the last
couple of weeks,
Commissioner Carmen Turner
"~',.
'~\
Page I of I
From: Tom Oosterhoudt <Tomo@OosterBooster.com>
To: Gneugent@mail.state.fl.us <Gneugent@mail.state.fl.us>
Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2001 9:58 PM
Subject: What can we do about the loud motorcycles?
George, When the Keys got the Daytona overflow a few weeks back, I got
more complaint calls about the loud cycles than I ever had. They
really pushed people over the edge, I know that state law prohibits any
motorcycle muffler from being modified to be louder, but ourKey West
police are so outnumbered, we feel helpless. Is there anyway that we
can get the sheriff's office or State Troopers involved and get the
load motor cyclists as they first get into the Keys? In Key West it was
literally a nightmare which compounded the loud bars catering to the
spring breakers, who are loud enough without the bars or the loud motor
cycles, not to mention our rooster explosion. I will support anything
that you can do to help with the loud motorcycles. Tom Oosterhoudt
. \Cel{ ~~(!,~~ F1?,-t \ 'Z..J!)O I
Help !{)ur .
eardrums
are rupturing
Like a nightmare witlwut
tmd,each and every
evening tJurir sensibilities
are a.ssaulted'and their
lives intru.rkd Up()11, by
tlw shriUm'llSW blaring'
from bars ()11, Duval
Street and the Bight.
Coupled with that numb.
ing nightly crescerukJ is ,:,
,; " the roarofrrwtorcycleS :..'
, equipped withillegq" . ,. "
pipes zooming around
town at aU lwurs ...
Musician fl.'allk Zappa
once remarked, "The
typical rock fan is not
smart enough to know when
he is being dumped on." While
that, observation may hold true
for "rock fans," it is certainly
not the case with residents of
Old Town, who deeply resent
being dumped on nightly.
Like a nightmare without
end, each and every evening.
their sensibilities are assaulted
and their lives intruded upon
by the shrill music blaring
from bars on Duval Street and
the Bight. Coupled with that
numbing nightly crescendo is
the roar of motorcycles has a potential solution just
equipped with illegal pipes waiting to be implemented.
warning around town at all Curren~ based on state law,
hours, leaving sleepless resi- police ~ issuing citations to
dents in their wake. owners of bike; with
To their credit, city officials. "Equipment Modifications." ,
seem to be attempting to ,: Such a citation resUlts in a fine
respond to the crisis. Three Old of $44, an insignificant sum
Town establishments, the Bull that hardly buys a round of
and Whistle Bar, the Oak Beach drinks. Further, the motor0'-
Inn and the Conch Republic cle's exhaust system remains
Seafood Company, were modified, and citations are
recently Issued citations for issued so infrequently bike
excessive noise. Bar owners owners are prepared to pay the .
will appear before judge Susan occasional fine ad infinitum. '
Vernon in April, whjch may' Conveniently, there is an
result in fmes ranging from option that if implemented
$100 up to $509, mere slaps on will send a strong message: We
the wrist. This is hardly a rem~ . are serious about reducing the
cdy'to the problem arid is slm'." excesSIve 'noise in.orn citY-' , ,,: '" ,
ply a Band-Aid, and a useless Police offic~rs issuirlg citap.on~:"
one at that. In fact, this is a . for equipment modifications I
crisis situation requiring a have an additional option with
force~ response. Residents real teeth in it. They can also '
deserve relief from this nightly issue a citation for "improper
torment. equipment," requiring a cor-
Fortunately, last September, rection of the violation within
city commissioners passed a 30 days. During that time
supplementary Sound Control frame, motorcycle owners are
Ordinance, which provides an required to obtain the signa-
alternative approach. Repe~t ture of a police officer confirm-
offenders can be summoned ing that the violation has been
to the city manager's office for corrected or face suspension of
a formal hearing, which may , their license. Word will quickly
result in the suspension their spread that Key West is issuing
entertainment licenses. these citations.
Taking this forceful action is We believe these no-non-
hardiy precedent-settIng'or sense measures will help
draconian. Bar licenses to immensely.
serve alcohol are routinely sus-. We strongly urge city com-
pended by the state Alcohol missioners to direct the city
and Tobacco Board for varying manager to aggressively move
periods of time depending on ahead with both initiatives if
the severity of the violation. they are truly committed to '.1
Professional athletes in every addressing the excessive noise
sport are subject to suspension problem that their con-
for inappropriate behavior. stituents have been forced to
The motorcycle issue also endrne far too long.