ENM reviews concert ordinance

The Elko New Market City Council reviewed its outdoor concert and events ordinance at its Thursday, June 23, meeting. There were two topics discussed on the issue, especially how they related to liquor establishments. The first being how late concerts should be allowed to go and the other concerned acoustic concerts.

The council had touched on how late concerts should be allowed to last. In the past the council has set a cut off time of 1 a.m. although there have been requests to have concerts go until the closing time of the establishment, which is 2 a.m. The discussion was brought up as the Bullseye Saloon and the Doublewide Bar are both planning concerts on July 16. The council discussed whether it should allow the later time, but its consensus was to remain consistent with the 1 a.m. cut off.

Acoustic concerts at liquor establishments was brought up as to whether they should be treated differently compared to musicians with electric instruments. Sara Mahoney, owner of Captain Black’s Bar and Grill, brought up the discussion asking why she should pay a fee for two acoustic events.

City Clerk Sandy Green looked into the matter. She said she contacted other area communities about it and had no response. Green said it was one of those things that were hard to judge, but staff has to go by what the city ordinances say concerning musical events.

Council member Joe Julius asked if the city can use a decibel measuring device to check on those types of concerts. City Administrator Tom Terry noted the ordinances for musical events and how loud they can be are often related to the time of the day.

Mahoney didn’t think concerts with acoustic instruments compared to electronic should be treated the same, since music from acoustic instruments don’t carry as far.

It was noted that city code allows the city to....

To see more on this story pick up the June 30, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times.