City Police Chief Scott Anderson said loud block parties have become a problem in south Chiefland for the past couple of months.
By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter
Loud block parties with blaring music have become a frequent nuisance in south Chiefland in the past couple of months, and city commissioners have decided an improved noise ordinance is needed.
Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to instruct City Attorney Norm Fugate to draft changes to the city’s noise ordinance that would fill the gaps in the current city noise regulations.
The board looked at several noise ordinances from neighboring communities, but the one Fugate suggested would best fit the city’s needs belongs to Williston.
Fugate said the ordinance allows city police to enforce the law using decibel meters that measure the noise but also allows police to use common sense when judging if noise is a problem.
The city’s current ordinance requires the use of a decibel meter to measure sound, but Police Chief Scott Anderson said he has never seen a decibel meter in in the city police department inventory since he took the job of chief in 2015.
“You can’t do anything without a meter,” Fugate said of the current city ordinance.
Anderson said his department would need more than one decibel meter.
“Buying one is useless,” he said. “I would need one for every officer. I’ll issue one to every officer and they will be responsible for it.”
He said having one decibel meter invites problems. The last officer to use it may take it home with them after they finish work and device isn’t available when needed.
The revised ordinance won’t deal with loud music from moving vehicles. State law prescribes how police should deal with that problem.
The block parties in south Chiefland often generate sound from stationary vehicles rather than moving ones. The revised ordinance will give police the ability to deal with stationary vehicles with loud stereos producing nuisance noise.
Anderson said the revised city noise ordinance should have strong penalties that deter offenders from cranking up the loud music after they have been told to turn it down or turn it off.
Luther Callaway Library Donation
Commissioners accepted a donation of land from the W.O. Beauchamp, Sr. and Macey Callaway Beauchamp Trust for expansion of the Luther Callaway Library.
The two vacant lots immediately west of the library are being donated by the family to the city. Chiefland attorney Luther Beauchamp, the Trustee, and his sisters Ovieda Bishop, Frances Parnell and Susan Billings agreed to make the gift to the city with the understanding that future expansion of the library will be named for W.O. Beauchamp, Sr. and his wife Macey Callaway Beauchamp.
The donation was also made with the understanding that the city would find the funding, either through grants or by other means, to fund for construction of the library expansion on the two vacant lots.
Friends of the Luther Callaway Library have expressed an interest in expanding the facilities and services of the library. The land for the current Luther Callaway Library was donated by W.O. Beauchamp, Sr. and Macey Beauchamp to the city. The library was constructed in 1985.
Callaway was postmaster in Chiefland for 30 years and also a school teacher for 30 years. His duties as teacher and postmaster overlapped for a period of time, according to Luther Beauchamp. He said his grandfather came to Chiefland between 1910 and 1914.
Luther Callaway Library is located directly behind Chiefland City Hall.
City Manager Mary Ellzey said city staff has found a grant source they hope can be used to fund construction of the library addition, but the state agency that provides the historical grants has not opened the window of opportunity for filing a grant application.
Subdivision Gets Preliminary Approval
City Commissioners, seated as the city’s Planning Board, gave preliminary approval of Oak Ridge subdivision on 23rd St. The 42 acres of land will be home to a 76-home community next door to Charles Strickland Recreational Park.
Commissioners, who then reconvened as the City Commission, gave preliminary plat approval of the subdivision and gave the developer, John Infinger, permission to proceed with obtaining final plat approval.
The board waived the requirement for sidewalks and for a 100 foot setback from Strickland Park. David Infinger said the roads are 60 feet wide and provide plenty of walking room. The developer has agreed to provide ample setback from the park. Infinger said a grove of trees stands between the subdivision and the park.
Commissioner Rollin Hudson said he hopes people who purchase land in the subdivision are aware of farming activities on the west and north side and won’t complain about blowing sand or odors. Hudson is a farmer. He lives in the city.
Police Interlocal Agreement
Commissioners postponed adopting an interlocal agreement that requires all local law enforcement agencies to have the ability to communicate with each other in 911 emergencies.
Anderson said Chiefland already has the ability to communicate effortlessly with the sheriff’s office’s 911 communication center. The city won’t have to make changes to approve the agreement.
The state requirement for such an interlocal agreement stemmed from the Parkland Massacre when police officers from Coral Springs were unable to communicate with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office as they responded to the shooting.
Anderson said Chiefland shares dispatching duties with the sheriff’s office. The communications of the two agencies are integrated. The city dispatches its officers during daylight hours. The Levy County Sheriff’s Office takes over city dispatching for the remainder of the time. The two agencies can talk to each other at any time.
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City of Chiefland Regular Meeting November 25, 2019; Posted November 25, 2019
