West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met March 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on March 27, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order with the following commissioners present: Carole McDowell, Harold Northup Jr, and Greg Olson. Peggy Newberry was absent.

Others attending the meeting were Anne Thompson, Tracy Markey, Gary Smith, and Josie Finch.

A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to accept the minutes of the March 13, 2024, meeting. McDowell, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. Newberry ABSENT.

Peggy Newberry arrived at 5:35 p.m.

Tracy Markey discussed the pressure reducing valve that needs to be repaired or replaced in a lift station. He has gotten an estimate from D & K Supply Inc. The estimated cost to repair the valve is $2,422.46 and the cost for a new valve is $2,791.38. It will take approximately 6 weeks to get a new one. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by McDowell to purchase a new pressure reducing valve from D & K Supply Inc. for $2,791.38. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

Discussed the hydraulic cylinders for the front bucket on the backhoe. The city has gotten an estimate of $1,400 to rebuild the cylinders and $1,500 for new ones. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to purchase new hydraulic cylinders for the backhoe at the cost of $1,500. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

Police Chief Gary Smith reported that the police body cameras are now working. He also reported that there is an ordinance violation that will be going to court since the individual has not paid the fine by the required due date.

Chief Smith requested that the council allow him to have an Ice Cream Day at the grade school at the end of the school year. The school has agreed to order the ice cream thru their food supplier for the city. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to authorize Police Chief Smith to purchase the ice cream for this event. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

It was reported that East First Street had to be closed for a couple of hours while a tree was removed.

Mayor Six met with the city engineer regarding the lead service line project. It appears that approximately as many as 200 service lines may need to be replaced.

Mayor Six reported that the Hancock County Board has sent letters to all of the cities in Hancock County to inform them that they are no longer going to be taking care of dogs that are picked up by the cities because they are running at large. Police Chief Smith would like to see the cities of Hancock County write a joint letter to the board threatening the county with a class action lawsuit if this does not get changed.

Josie Finch discussed the deed with the school district regarding the property on East Fourth Street that the city has agreed to purchase from the school district. She feels that there is one item in the new deed that the city should object to. The council agreed to have her contact the school district's attorney and let him know that the city is objecting to this item.

Commissioner McDowell reported that Cindy Ritz has given her an estimate of $3,500 to put river rock completely around the city hall/police building and do some other beautification work around the area.

It was decided to have Ms. Ritz do a new estimate that would not include doing the river rock around the south side of the building.

The city attorney reported that she has filed a request with the Illinois Department of Transportation regarding the lowering of the speed limit in the west end of town in front of the Wetlands area. She has not heard back from them yet.

Discussed making an ordinance that would prohibit BBQ grills in front of the buildings along Oak Street, north of Third Street.

Discussed enforcing the nuisance ordinance to a greater extent regarding abandoned buildings and houses in town.

The city attorney has sent a letter to the new owners of the old high school building, but she has not heard back from them. She presented the council with a copy of a petition for demolition that can be filed with the court in order to get a court order to get the building torn down. This will be discussed more at the next meeting.

Discussed having the city attorney check on the East Fifth Street issue that was brought up at the last meeting.

Discussed purchasing a sprayer for the spraying of weeds around town.

Discussed restructuring the city's fines for nuisance ordinance violations.

A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to adjourn the meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/minutes.php