Keokuk is ready to address some apparent noise problems.
Mayor Tom Marion says the agenda for the city council’s Nov. 1 meeting will include the first readings of proposals to change two different city codes.
One would set the end time for outdoor concerts or entertainment at locations where alcohol is sold to 11:00 P.M. on Fridays and Saturdays and 10:00 P.M. every other night.
That’s 2-3 hours earlier than city code currently allows.
The other proposal would adopt Iowa’s one-sentence definition for Disturbing the Peace, which includes the phrase “loud, raucous” noise.
Police Chief Dave Hinton says that definition is actually more specific than Keokuk’s current six-paragraph definition because of case law and judicial review.
The city council devoted a majority of its most recent workshop to the noise ordinances.
Aldermen seemed to support the new definition for Disturbing the Peace, but several disagree with the city further restricting the times for outdoor concerts.
