Jill Schramm/MDN Kent Bahl speaks to the Minot City Council about a proposed noise ordinance Monday. Council members are Mike Blessum, left, and Lisa Olson.

The Minot City Council on Monday approved new lighting and noise ordinances that carry criminal infraction penalties of $150 for violations.

The ordinances spell out what is acceptable, outlining the types of prohibited lights and setting decibel levels for residential, commercial and industrial areas. The council unanimously approved the ordinances on first reading. A second reading will be required.

Minot resident Kent Bahl, who spoke about a concern in his southeast neighborhood related to noise from a resident’s generator, did not see the ordinance offering improvement. The new ordinance limits daytime noise in residential areas to 60 decibels, which is somewhat more than the current 55 decibels. However, the ordinance permits operation and testing of air compressors and generators in residential areas as long as they are in proper working order.

A site visit to the neighborhood by council member Mark Jantzer and city staff found noise readings of 60 inside his home and up to 72 decibels just outside his home, Bahl said. The city has indicated the homeowners association could take action, he said.

“We feel the city could address this in a better way,” Bahl said. “We hope a solution can be found for this type of situation so others do not experience what we have. We feel the decibel should stay at 55 and this generator could be brought into compliance. We believe, as homeowners, this is why this ordinance should be voted down and revisited.”

The generator has been running 20 minutes once a week for testing. Jantzer said the generator owners have indicated its operation frequency will be cut in half, to every other week. He said he suggested they consider an enclosure that would dampen the noise.

City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim said her understanding is the residential decibel level is recommended to increase to 60 based on the typical noise level of common equipment such as lawnmowers or leaf blowers. She suggested her staff could continue to work on the ordinance to better meet everyone’s needs.

The lighting ordinance prohibits searchlights, strobe and laser lights and lighting determined by the police to contribute to disabling or distracting glare onto a public roadway or otherwise creating a hazard or disturbing the peace and safety of others.

Exemptions are listed for public lighting in a right-of-way, aviation safety lighting, temporary residential holiday lighting unless it creates a hazard, emergency vehicle lights, underwater lights to illuminate swimming pools or fountains and lighting associated with road or utility maintenance.