East Bethel council weighs conditions for large outdoor festival after neighbor complaints

East Bethel officials and the applicant for a large private festival discussed permit conditions at a work session, focusing on a clause that requires two deputies for events with alcohol, objective decibel monitoring and the hours during which amplified sound would be permitted.

The discussion began after staff (Speaker 2) told the council the application referenced a requirement that "2 deputies must be present" under the Anoka County extra-duty ratio and that the confirmation labeled "Attachment 5" — evidence the deputies will be provided — was missing from the packet. Staff also noted the application speaks to regular decibel‑meter readings and said those must be taken by an impartial, trained technician rather than a person on the event payroll.

The applicant (Speaker 5) described the festival’s origins, saying it began to provide a performance opportunity for his son and has grown into a regional draw: "We got people coming from 10 states right now coming in East Bethel," he said. He explained the event finances rely on early ticket sales and said the organizers have not yet signed performer contracts.

Speaker 5 argued his private security presence is substantial and said he would prefer one deputy to patrol the grounds rather than two, while acknowledging he and his crew are taking on-site decibel measurements and have discussed repositioning speakers and lowering volume. At one point he said the crew’s meter registered about 100 on their device; council members cautioned that ad‑hoc readings are not a substitute for an objective standard measured at a specified distance.

Council members pressed on neighborhood impacts and hours of amplified sound. One council member (Speaker 2) emphasized nearby owners’ "quiet enjoyment" of their property and recounted multiple complaints to the sheriff’s office about last year’s event. The council debated proposed times — Thursday through 10 p.m. and Friday to midnight — with some members suggesting earlier cutoffs on certain nights to reduce disruption to residents.

Staff (Speaker 9) proposed next steps: contact the sheriff’s office (including Derek Peters, the sheriff representative named in the discussion) to confirm whether two off‑duty deputies are required, work with the applicant to set decibel limits and timeframes, and, if no agreement is reached, bring the permit to a council meeting for final action. Staff also said the city could approve the permit administratively if conditions are agreed.

Speaker 5 said the festival team has last year’s decibel data and expressed willingness to comply with an objectively measured limit and to accommodate sheriff or city requirements. He estimated attendance at about 1,000 people (plus roughly 100 volunteers and staff) and described logistical measures — food vendors with appropriate permits, portable-toilet servicing and on‑site medical coverage — intended to reduce safety risks.

The council did not take a final vote on the permit at the work session. Staff said they will follow up with the sheriff's office, clarify the origin and legal basis of any two‑deputy requirement in the application, and report back with proposed measurable noise thresholds and recommended hours for amplified sound.