The mayor told the board that work by XAI at its nearby facility has produced measurable noise reductions after the company installed temporary generators, a sound wall and altered equipment placement. The mayor reported staff measurements showing levels “as low as 39.1” on a decimal meter and said XAI has done “everything we’ve asked them to do.”

The board then approved a memorandum of understanding under which XAI agreed to fully fund a State Line Road widening and resurfacing project — from XAI’s facility back to Highway 51 and resurfacing back to I-55 — at a total cost the mayor identified as $3,460,000.

Resident concerns and city response
Resident Jason Haley described ongoing noise disruptions that began in August and said he and neighbors have experienced sleep disturbance: “I woke up early in that morning and couldn’t go back to sleep because I could hear those noises,” he said. Haley said many neighbors were unaware of the project and questioned public communications and the potential for the noise to return.

The mayor said the city had issued a press release earlier in the summer and that some mitigation steps are temporary under a state 12-month permit. He told Haley the city would hold the resident on the January 6 agenda for additional public discussion and reiterated that the city would hold the company accountable for promised mitigations.

Permits and timeline
The mayor said the state issued a 12-month permit (state MDQ) for temporary equipment; he also emphasized the city’s need to respect commercially sensitive planning until final arrangements are made. The board voted to approve the MOU authorizing the proposed road improvements to be funded by XAI.