Hi y’all. I’m going to break down the video of the study. Because it got back to me through the grapevine a candidate was braggin. Something along the lines of, ‘I got you the noise study.’ Of course, that’s not a direct quote because I’m not on social media. Grapevine means what it means still, yes?
This was from a 2023 presentation with sound engineer Shimby McCreary about the noise study. As well as the architect that built the open-back, no curtain, no sound booth amphitheater, Heather Hubbel. Their entire presentation and discussion was ~12 minutes long.
The end result of the noise study was that the loudest measurement does align with my home. His reading was 65 dB(A). (there’s a footnote to this reading from me below). The solution was to buy a sound curtain. After the presentation of 6 minutes, and lecture from council for about another 6. We then hear the city attorney say, “this is a discussion for executive session.”
But then, no one calls executive session. What you’ll see is Gantt rise and whisper in the Mayor’s ear at 9 minute and 11 seconds into the presentation. Then, 2 minutes later, she walks to the right of the Dais where the city attorney sits and presumably has another whisper, in a different ear. After she sits down they simply remove the item from the agenda and never call executive session. Then Fred Gardiner comes up to give the TAD presentation.
Now. As to Mr. Washington’s opinion that this was a matter for executive session. A sound curtain isn’t litigation, personnel, real estate or cybersecurity. And furthermore an executive session was never called on this subject. But four minutes into the city manager’s unrelated matter of a TAD presentation, 16 minutes after the noise mitigation presentation began, we see the city attorney appear at the rear door and motion. Then Shimby McCreary and Heather Hubbel follow Quinton out of the room. Then they all turn to their left, away from the elevators and stairs. I assume they had a discussion in the lobby. Or perhaps the door to the right of council chamber leading to the ante-room.
So, my question are as follows. Why the bad legal opinion for executive session on an issue not beholden to executive session rules? Why after that bad opinion was the recommended executive session not motioned for? Well, I suppose to know that, we would have to know what Ms. Gantt whispered into the Mayor’s ear precisely at 9 minutes and 11 seconds into this video. Then we’d have to know what she said, and who she said it to between 11:56 to about 12:50, presumably to The Quizzoner, Mr. Washington, Esq.
I see lawyers working. But they ain’t working for me. Ya’ feel me?
This video and the noise study can be found at the city’s portal: https://stockbridgega.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2612/files/agenda/3325
A quick note for the nerds. When the city or Shimby (Acustica) measure sound they measure it in dB(A). That means it’s an A Weighted scale. There are two scales on most meters. A & C. On an A weighted scale you would drop low frequency readings. This is due to a commonly used of a family of curves defined in the International standard IEC 61672:2003. But moreover, it’s because the law says to use the A Weighted scale.
So what’s the difference? “A Weighted” dB measurements drop the low frequency component. As anyone with sense knows. Stockbridge Amphitheater frequency content contains a great deal of low frequency components. This isn’t just a Stockbridge problem. It’s a symptom of corporations essentially writing the law. The ultimate result is, while Shimby measured 72 dB(A) at my property line, I can measure 85dB(C) at my backdoor. Moreover, like low frequency whale song, these deep tones travel very far. Reports we have say ~2 miles away. Which is the same sort of complaints you’ll hear from Red Rocks, Mountain View or any other amphitheater.
As to the low reading of 65 dB(A). All I can tell you is what my measurement says. You’re welcome to come over here and measure it. Consider the fact the city hired Mr. McCreary, and this isn’t an independent investigation. Come, measure it. For I have no reason to lie to you. I’m running -$200 ARR.
