POULSBO — Recalling memories of the ill-fated country western concert during the 2000 Viking Fest at the North Kitsap High School stadium, Councilman Mike Regis Wednesday took aim at a proposed noise ordinance exemption for the North Kitsap Relay for Life.

The annual event, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society, is set to get stepping July 15-16 at the North Kitsap High School stadium.

Because the Relay is a 24-hour gathering, co-chairman Mel Bird approached the Poulsbo City Council to seek an exemption that would allow organizers to play motivational music through the late evening and early morning hours.

“I have had friends and family members affected by cancer, and I believe it’s a worthy cause,” Regis said. “But we have to remember our No. 1 code of reference.”

The Poulsbo Municipal Code Chapter 9.70 deals with the public peace, but it lacks specific reference to the section of the Washington Administrative Code, which deals with decibel levels in residential areas, he said, referring to WAC 173-60-40.

The section of the WAC states the maximum noise level in residential areas should be no more than 55 decibels except from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m, when the level must be reduced to 45 decibels. Both decibel levels are the equivalent of a conversation in an office or restaurant.

Regis then referred to the 2000 Bryan White concert, which caused a significant number of complaints from residents in the area.

“This is in a very quiet area surrounded by churches and a mobile home park,” he said. “I cannot support an exemption.”

Organizers may need to turn the volume down from 7-10 a.m. Sunday because all of the churches in the area will be holding services, Regis said.

“We have to be sure we don’t impact residents and their need for peaceful sleep,” he said, noting the council can’t disregard its own ordinance or the WAC, but organizers could be asked to turn it down or shut it off.

Councilman Dale Rudolph, who lives in the area, said he appreciated Regis’ concerns and said the council shouldn’t release its control over the noise levels.

“The decibel level needs to be down to some low level that’s not disturbing sleep, and I think that can be done,” Rudolph said.

When Bird finally got his chance to address the council, he admitted he wasn’t prepared for all of the angst vented by its members.

“The music I had in mind was more along the lines of helping people make it through the night, but I will have to go back and look at our plans,” he said.

At 10 p.m. during the luminary ceremony, Bird said he had planned to have bagpipes playing, but after hearing the council discussion he wasn’t sure of that either.

“It is not our intent to blow the doors off, and we certainly don’t want to agitate the city,” he said.

Council members are encouraged to attend and participate in the event and would be welcomed guests, he said.

“It is not our intent to blow people out of their houses,” Bird said. “I promise we will not do Led Zeppelin at two o’clock in the morning.”

After listening to Bird’s plea, Regis suggested having organizers face the speakers inward to the stadium’s field and walk around the perimeter to check the noise levels.

With City Attorney Scott Snyder’s explanation of the potential ramifications of granting a noise ordinance exemption, the full council agreed with Regis’ proposal that Relay for Life organizers will be responsible for maintaining proper noise levels.