City of Dallas City Council met February 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on February 14, 2018, at 5 p.m. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order with the following commissioners present: Lila Gittings, Esther Newberry, Harold Northup Jr., and Greg Olson.
Others attending the meeting were Anne Thompson, Ryan Thompson, Emma Van Arsdale, Doug Erickson, Gary Smith, and Chris Classen.
A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to accept the minutes of the January 24, 2018, meeting. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.
A motion was made by Gittings, and 2nd by Newberry to pay bills. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.
Ryan Thompson appeared on behalf of the Dallas City Fire Department. They would like to see something done with the old Legion Hall building before it damages the Dallas City fire station. The city attorney previously has sent the property owner a letter, but he has not gotten any response to it. This will be discussed more with the city attorney at the next meeting.
Discussed a recent dwelling fire on East Second Street. The fire department tried to use the fire hydrant near the dwelling, but it would not work. Mr. Thompson went back a couple of days later, though, and it was working then. Chris Classen feels that there could have been some frost built up inside the hydrant that caused it to be froze at the time of the fire.
Mr. Thompson would like for the council to adopt some kind of maintenance program for the city's fire hydrants, including a flushing program. He also feels that doing this could possibly improve the city's ISO score, which could possibly help decrease insurance rates for property owners in Dallas City.
Chris Classen informed the council that it can be difficult to flush hydrants due to the Dallas Rural Water District's ability to supply enough water at a given time to do the flushing. Mr. Classen will contact the Dallas Rural Water District and see if they could give him an idea of when would be the best time to flush the hydrants.
Doug Erickson reported that the bid letting for the sewer improvement project will be on February 15. Mr. Erickson informed the council that there is a SRF program for water projects also, and that hydrants could be included in a water project.
Mr. Classen reported that there had been a water break recently that was on bedrock. This made it harder to repair, but it has been fixed. Discussed possibly purchasing an electric jackhammer that could be used in this type of situation since so much of the city does lay on bedrock.
Discussed the lights at the boat docks. AmerenIllinois has repaired the light in the middle of the parking lot. The light on the west side of the boat docks is the city's responsibility, and it needs electrical work done to it. Max Faul has been contacted to do the necessary repair work on this light.
Police Chief Gary Smith gave his report for the month of January 2018. He reported that Scott Rosson has been hired as a part-time police officer. He is fully qualified and will begin working next week. He has ordered the necessary uniforms and equipment for Officer Rosson and Officer Bruenger. He has also ordered Gun Shot Wound kits for each vehicle.
Police Chief Smith would like for the council to consider installing a storm siren system for the city. The Dallas Rural Fire Protection District has indicated that they might be willing to work with the city on this. The council gave Chief Smith permission to look into this, obtain estimates, and check to see if there are any available grants for this kind of thing.
Discussed the awning at the old Enterprise building and possibly removing it. It was decided not to pursue this since it is not city property.
Discussed purchasing garbage cans for around town. Mayor Six has spoken to the owner of Oquawka Boats to see if he could make garbage cans. He informed Mayor Six that this is something that he could do, and he will get the city an estimate.
Mayor Six read a letter from the Illini West High School Post Prom Committee requesting a donation. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to donate $325 to the Illini West High School Post Prom. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.
Mayor Six reported that there had recently been an attempted break-in at the city's maintenance building. He feels that there needs to be a light installed on the north side of the building. Also discussed a problem with the security system. Per Mar has been contacted regarding this problem.
Discussed paying the mayor and city commissioners every three months instead of the current six months. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to pay the mayor and commissioners every three months. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.
Discussed an invoice from Western Illinois Regional Council in the amount of $7,359.75 for their work of administrating the City of Dallas City CDBG-PI grant for the sewer improvement project. An Authorization for Payment form must be signed by two city representatives and returned to WIRC. They will then request that the funds to pay this invoice be sent to the city from the State of Illinois. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Gittings to authorize the mayor and city clerk to sign the Authorization for Payment form. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.
Mayor Six discussed a house in town that was recently destroyed by fire. The property owner is entitled to a demolition fee from his insurance company to help with the demolition of the house. The property owner needs a signed form from the city stating that the city is not entitled to any of this demolition fee. The council gave Mayor Six permission to sign this form.
A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Newberry to adjourn the meeting. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/getfile.php?minutes=350