Keokuk, IA – Keokuk Police Chief Tom Crew says his department has received about 75 complaints over the last 2 years about outdoor concerts at L-Treyns. He says about 20 have been called in in recent weeks.
Mayor Tom Marion says that is why the city council's code revision committee is being asked to review a possible noise ordinance. He says the issue must be looked at because residents are complaining about the establishment.
L-Treyns owner Larry Roberts says he is trying to bring big bands into Keokuk to encourage people to visit the city. He plans to host 10-14 concerts this spring and summer.
Roberts says 800 people turned out for his first two concerts of the year. He says these people are eating in local restaurants and visiting other stores while in Keokuk.
The current city code allows outdoor music to play until 2:00 A.M.
Roberts says he would be fine with a 1:00 A.M. music curfew. He says changing the code to midnight, though, would ruin his business.
"Because you can't bring the big bands in," said Roberts, "and then if you have 300-400 people in your bar, you have to kick them out two hours earlier instead of one. It is just ridiculous how much revenue you would lose on that."
Several members of the Keokuk City Council voiced their support for Roberts and L-Treyns. Others wanted to hear Roberts say he would make more of an effort to lower the volume of the bands.
Roberts says he is willing to look at other options, including a roof, if they are cost-effective.
Roberts says he has already collected several hundred signatures in support of the outdoor concerts. His goal is to collect 1,000.
Mayor Tom Marion says the city would appreciate hearing from supporters, just as it wants to hear from those with complaints about the noise.
Marion and several members of the Keokuk City Council said they would try to attend the next concert at L-Treyns (Jake McVey - June 12) to hear how loud the bands are playing. They said they would also listen from various neighborhoods.