The Marshalltown City Council decided to amend an ordinance that would prohibit semis from driving down Fourth Ave.
At its bi-monthly Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night, the council prompted action to amend the city ordinance that designates truck-route boundaries.
"We need to look at putting Fourth (Avenue) on there," Al Hoop, fourth-ward council member said. "Marion Street is designed to be the truck route, and they are coming in different ways for different reasons."
Area residents have been complaining about the noise and want something done, he said. They want signs instructing trucks not to drive on Fourth Avenue.
Chief Mike Tupper, of the Marshalltown Police Department, said preventing trucks from driving down the street has been difficult. He said he has sent officers out to the area several times, but they never witness trucks driving down the street.
"I'm not saying it's not there," he said. "But we aren't seeing it when we are down there."
He said after meeting with the county attorney, he isn't even sure his men can enforce the unwanted driving because the ordinance allows it.
Tupper noted how limiting truck driving in that area could negatively impact local businesses like the Kum & Go on Third Ave.
Allen Kent, who lives in the area, said he and his neighbors have no problem with the trucks that make deliveries to nearby businesses - those businesses only accept deliveries during business hours.
The problem, he said, is with the JBS trucks tearing down the road at all hours of the night.
"You can't sleep at night with your windows open," he said. "I realize the police cannot be there all the time ... it's just a timing issue."
Tupper said those truck drivers don't necessarily work for JBS, and JBS has been working with the MPD to fix the problem. He said he is confident they will continue to help police and city officials find an amicable resolution.
Leon Lamer, at-large council member, said the council should talk to the state government about redesigning the street so that trucks are physically incapable of turning onto Fourth Avenue from Marion Street.
Making it impossible for trucks to make the turn, alleviates the problem, he said. Even if the city amended the code, police can't constantly watch the street, and drivers are likely to drive down it anyway.
"What we are asking for, of course, is voluntarily compliance and responsible people," Mayor Gene Beach said.
An amended version of the code will appear at a subsequent council meeting for approval.