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Neighbor alleges repeated late‑night noise from city property; city says source not yet determined
Summary
A Bettendorf resident told the council she has recorded repeated late‑night noise reaching 65–80 dB inside her apartment and that police told her they could not ticket the city; city staff said they inspected air‑handling units and the generator but have not yet located a definitive source and offered to meet the resident overnight to investigate.
Elena Bell of 1515 State Street told the Bettendorf City Council on Oct. 21 that persistent late‑night noise from city property across her parking lot has disrupted her sleep and health and that prior complaints have yielded no effective remedy.
"The city is violating its own residential noise ordinance ... consistently, repeatedly, and without consequences," Bell said, saying she has multiple recordings from inside her living room showing noise levels she measured between roughly 65 and 80 decibels at night. She told the council she spoke with police on two occasions who "confirmed this" but reported they told her their hands were tied when the noise appeared to be coming from city property. Bell said she has filed written complaints in September and asked the city for assistance or compensation, noting she is on a limited income and recently moved to Bettendorf.
Mayor Robert Gallagher asked about the status of the city's investigation. City administrator Decker Plain said staff had inspected air‑handling units and the generator on city property and had not found an obvious source. Plain said officers have been to the residence and that staff remain uncertain whether the source is city equipment; he offered to visit Ms. Bell's home at the reported overnight time if she calls so staff could attempt to observe the noise.
Plain acknowledged the area has multiple potential noise sources, including overnight train traffic, and said staff would continue to try to locate the source. He said he was "willing to work" with Bell and that staff would continue to coordinate with police and maintenance to track the noise and its origin.
The council did not take formal action on the complaint during the meeting; Mayor Gallagher said staff will be in touch and continue the investigation.
Next steps: staff offered to meet the resident overnight to try to observe the noise source; the record reflects ongoing investigation without a confirmed origin or a council directive to remediate or compensate.
