Hannibal City Council looks at new sculptures for city

HANNIBAL, Mo. — At Tuesday’s meeting, Hannibal City Council members heard about a program that will bring three sculptures to the city by early summer.

While asking the council’s permission to close streets for the annual Historic Folklife Festival, Hannibal Arts Council Executive Director Michael Gaines talked about those plans. Gaines said Hannibal has joined a consortium  of 24 Missouri cities for a program called Sculpture on the Move. More than 150 sculptures by artists from around the U.S. have been submitted. The HAC is leasing three of those sculptures including one by Hannibal native Kevin Willetts.

Gaines said the sculptures will range from 7 to 10 feet tall. The arts council does not yet have all the details as to where the sculptures will be placed, but Gaines said they will be outdoors. He also said HAC is hoping to purchase one of the sculptures.

In other council news, local resident Mark Allen Milewski spoke to council members about what he claims are disparities in law enforcement. Milewski said another resident in the apartment building in which he lives at 909 Church has frequently complained to the police department about Milewski’s loud music. Over the last two years, police have responded to dozens of complaints at that residence. Most of the complaints were because of the loud music Milewski plays on the roof outside his apartment window. Police have issued very few tickets however, because Milewski’s music does not violate the city’s noise ordinance. No action was taken on his complaint, but several people suggested that he turn the music down. 

Council also set three public hearings beginning at 6:15 on Tuesday, May 3rd. The hearings are all related to requests by the Planning and Zoning Commission for changes in the wording of various ordinances and changes in fees for stormwater runoff management.