The Mineola City Council approved a new noise ordinance Monday, creating enforcement standards designed to reduce excessive noise.

The new ordinance, adopted at the March 23 City Council meeting, establishes quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. During these times, any sound audible beyond a property’s boundary is considered a violation. The regulation is intended to help residents enjoy their homes free from disruptive noise throughout the night without requiring officers to use decibel meters. Instead, enforcement relies on what a reasonable person would find disruptive.

“There is no sense in being held hostage in your own home by an inconsiderate neighbor,” Mayor Jayne Lankford said during the discussion.

City staff explained that enforcement of the ordinance will be triggered by resident complaints or initiated by officers. Residents can expect that, if reported, noise disturbances will be investigated using body-cam and dash-cam footage. Officers will prioritize educating those responsible for the noise before issuing citations, giving residents a chance to resolve issues cooperatively. The ordinance does not apply to emergency services, railroad operations, permitted events, construction, public works, or utilities.

In other business, the council approved a resolution of intent to establish a Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, program for the city. The voluntary financing tool allows commercial, industrial, agricultural, nonprofit, and multifamily property owners to fund energy and water efficiency upgrades with no upfront cost. Repayment is structured as a property assessment, and the obligation transfers to new owners if a property is sold before the loan is repaid. The resolution of intent triggers a required public hearing process before the program is formally adopted. The council is expected to take final action at a subsequent meeting.

The council also accepted the city’s fiscal year 2024-25 annual audit, conducted by BrooksWatson & Co., PLLC, which resulted in an unmodified opinion — the highest level of assurance auditors can provide. The financial review covered the general fund, proprietary funds and the city’s pension plan.

Other approvals included updates to the purchasing policy, a street closure for the Fiesta de Mayo Festival, and the acceptance of a property gift deed from Derek Crawford in the Nuss Addition.

The council also heard briefings from the Public Works director on street conditions, and from the city manager on ongoing administrative matters.