West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met January 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on January 24, 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, Doug Erickson, and Gary Smith.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to accept the minutes of the January 10, 2018, meeting. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.

Police Chief Gary Smith reported that one of the police officer candidates is not going to be able to work part-time for the city due to a problem with the State of Illinois. He, however, will be able to work full-time for the city if he passes all of the required tests, schools, etc. The other police officer candidate will be starting to work part-time for the city approximately February 3, 2018. Police Chief Smith will be taking his Transition Course in March.

Discussed a Benefit and Wage Agreement for the police department.

The city's police pickup recently had a recall notice, and this has been taken care of.

Anne Thompson asked about people driving inappropriately around town. Police Chief Smith is aware of this problem and is trying to watch for these drivers.

Max Faul is planning on fixing the electrical problems at the old police station. He has been ill recently and is planning on working on this as soon as he is feeling better.

Doug Erickson reported that a pre-bid meeting for the sewer project is scheduled for January 25. So far 13 contractors have requested copies of the project specifications. Mr. Erickson has also been notified that the State of Illinois has started to do their Financial Package Review for the sewer project.

A motion was made by Gittings, and 2nd by Newberry to pay Benton and Associates Inc. $10,676.50 for services performed from September 17, 2017, to January 6, 2018, on the sewer project, including the preparation for bidding and assistance during the bidding process. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.

It was reported that water shut offs were done this week.

Discussed the new Dollar General store that is being built in town. It is scheduled to be opening approximately March 15, 2018.

Discussed getting new garbage cans to put around town.

Discussed the ramps at the boat docks.

Discussed bricks that are being stored in the old police station building. It is believed that these are bricks from the old post office that the Celebration Committee was selling at previous city celebrations. Mayor Six will contact the Celebration Committee to see if that is what they are, and if so, what they want done with them.

Discussed getting bids for the mowing of the city cemetery. Ads will be run, and bids will be opened at the February 28, 2018, meeting.

Discussed making changes to the city's current policy for full-time employee's vacation, personal/sick time, health insurance allowance, and paid holidays. The following was proposed:

Vacation: Year 1: 6 days per year

Years 2-5: 12 days per year

Years 6+: 18 days per year

Personal/Sick Time: 6 days per year

Health Insurance Allowance: $300 per month

Paid Holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day

A motion was made by Gittings, and 2nd by Olson to adopt the proposed new benefits package for full- time employees, retroactive to January 1, 2018. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.

Discussed having Mayor Six attend the Rural Community Economic Development Conference on March 7-8, 2018, in Springfield, Illinois. The cost of the conference is $160 and $85 for the hotel room. A motion was made by Gittings, and 2nd by Olson to send Mayor Six to the Rural Community Economic Development Conference for $160 and pay for 2 nights of a hotel room at $85 per night. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson Aye.

Harold Northup Jr left the meeting at 6:24 p.m.

A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to adjourn the meeting. Gittings, Newberry, and Olson Aye. Northup Absent.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m

http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/getfile.php?minutes=349