Town considering changes to rental agreements

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SILVERHILL, Alabama — The town of Silverhill is considering changes to rental agreements for its Little Bohemian Hall and Community Center amid noise complaints from neighboring residents.

At its Aug. 5 meeting, a local resident expressed concerns about events being held at Little Hall, complaining that at times the noise level “rattles the house.”

Lyles told the resident that he had already planned a meeting with town employees Nikki Haigler and Cindy Schulze to discuss changes to the rental agreements and, rather than try to change the town’s noise ordinance, it would be easier to add language into rental agreements.

“This is not something that is set in stone,” he told council members at the Aug. 19 town council meeting. “This is just something we wanted to put out there for you to look at and if you have any suggestions, we’ll be happy to consider it.”

The proposed changes to the agreements include the addition of a “Non-Disruptive Use of Premises, which reads, “No manner of usage of the premises shall be disruptive to the surrounding areas, including noise, vibrations and lights.”

Specifics for usage include:

•LIGHTS: If lights strobe or flashing lights are to be used, all blinds shall be closed at 10 p.m. to ensure that flashing or bright lights are not disruptive to neighboring areas.

•SOUND: No activity, whether live music, DJ, or voices, shall be so loud as to be reasonably disruptive to the surrounding areas. Lessee shall monitor the level of the noise to ensure it does not disrupt the residents nearby. After 10 p.m., any reasonable complaints regarding noise levels will be grounds for an immediate – without prior warning – shutting down of the event and demand to vacate the premises.

•VIBRATIONS: Loud bass, or other music, whether inside the facility or outside, shall be reasonably monitored such that the vibrations of this provision after 10 p.m. may result in the immediate shutting down of the event, without warning.

•GUESTS OUTSIDE: Guests outside of the premises shall no act in such a manner which would reasonably lead to disruption to surrounding areas. Loud yelling, singing, and loud vehicles should be kept on the South side of the building (the back of the building), to keep as much noise away from the nearby residences as possible (editor’s note, this applies only to the Little Hall).

In addition, language was added to the proposed agreements prohibiting the use of glitter on the properties. The town is also considering adding half-day hours for the Community Center for rentals from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to midnight for weekdays only.

“I know we can’t resolve all of the issues, but it is my hope that this will resolve some of the major issues we’ve been having,” Lyles said.

In other business Aug. 19, the council voted to call a special meeting for Monday, Aug. 26 to pass a resolution adopting a Transportation Plan for the town.

The resolution is a requirement of the Rebuild Alabama Act, which was passed in March by the State Legislature, increasing the gasoline and undyed diesel excise taxes by 6 cents per gallon affective Sept. 1. An additional 2-cent tax will be levied beginning Oct. 1 of 2020 and 2021 with additional tax adjustments, not to exceed 1-cent per gallon, to be levied effective Oct. 1, 2023 and every other year thereafter on July 1.

Municipalities and county governments throughout the state will receive funding through the tax levy for roadway improvements, repairs, resurfacing, reconstruction or maintenance. The funds could also be used as match monies for any state or federal grant funded projects to perform roadway improvements, repairs, resurfacing, reconstruction or maintenance.

The Rebuild Alabama Act requires all municipalities to pass a resolution by Aug. 31 submitting a transportation plan, but the plan can be amended throughout the fiscal year.

Officials estimated the town will receive approximately $11,000 in 2020 from the tax.

Lyles said the meeting, which was set to begin at 5 p.m., could also be used to address items for the upcoming fiscal year budget, which begins Oct. 1.

The council will also need to approve the changing of its Sept. 2 meeting to Sept. 3 because of the Labor Day holiday.