City of Dallas City Council met Dec. 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order with the following commissioners present: Carole McDowell, Peggy Newberry, Harold Northup Jr., and Greg Olson.
Others attending the meeting were Anne Thompson, Tracy Markey, Doug Erickson, Gary Smith, and Mariah Wallace.
A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to accept the minutes of the December 8, 2021, meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Newberry to accept the minutes of the December 14, 2021, special meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
Anne Thompson asked about a vehicle that has been sitting on jacks along West First Street. She also asked about the Legion Hall building. The city attorney reported that the property owner was to have it torn down by winter. Since he has not done this, the city attorney will get a court date and ask for an order to allow the city to tear down the building. The city will then place a lien on the property so that we will be reimbursed for the cost of the tearing down of the building.
Doug Erickson reported that he is planning on meeting with representatives from TEST Inc. regarding the moving of the lift stations. He also reported that Benton & Associates are planning to start with the surveying of the boat dock area within the next two weeks, weather permitting. Discussed a culvert on
Fifth Street. He feels that the city needs to contact a contractor and have them look at it. He has looked at the sewer lagoon and has some ideas on what could be done to prevent damages from being done to it when it is dumped into. He plans to discuss this with the TEST Inc. representatives when he meets with them.
Tracy Markey reported that he has replaced the damaged siding with metal on the west side of the pressure station building at West Fourth Street and Sycamore Street. While doing this, he discovered that the south side of the building also needs to be done. He will take care of this. He also reported that he recently had to unplug the lift station by the pond on East First Street.
Police Chief Gary Smith reported that one of the police vehicles was damaged during a high speed pursuit of a traffic violator. The traffic violator's vehicle appears to be insured. If it isn't, a claim will be filed under the city's insurance. Discussed dogs urinating on sidewalks. Chief Smith will speak to the dog owner about this.
Commissioner Olson reported that the street employee is going to try to find a used motor for the 1991 Ford truck.
Discussed a trailer that has been parked on city property. The police chief will contact the owner.
Discussed the demolition of the buildings at 380, 386, and 396 Oak Street. Mayor Six has been informed that the Brownsfield grant can not be used for the cost of tearing down a building.
Discussed dogs that are barking a lot. The city attorney explained that in order to do anything about the barking dogs there would have to be complaints made by multiple citizens.
Commissioner Northup discussed getting something in writing from the Dallas Rural Fire Protection District regarding what is being done with the property tax money that is being collected for the Lomax Ambulance Service since it is not available for service a lot of the time. The city attorney has contacted them and they have informed her that if someone calls for an ambulance and the Lomax Ambulance is not available, then the Nauvoo Ambulance is called. If Nauvoo is not available, then there is an agreement in place that would have an ambulance from Burlington, Iowa, respond to the call. Commissioner Northup would like for there to be something in writing that states no property tax money from Dallas City property owners is being given to the Carthage EMS ambulance service.
The city attorney discussed the agreement with Jackson Disposal to provide pick-up of trash and recyclables to all residential properties, with the exception of a property that has more than one apartment but only one water meter, that receives a city water bill. A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to pass Ordinance #668, an ordinance regulating the collection of trash and other garbage. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, and Olson AYE. Six NAY.
A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to give Mayor Six authority to sign a contract to enter into an agreement with Jackson Disposal Inc. to have them provide trash pick-up service, as well as pick-up of recyclables, for all residential property owners that receive a city water bill, with the exception of commercial properties and properties consisting of more than one apartment but only one water meter. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, and Olson AYE. Six NAY.
Discussed residents that have asked commissioners if they are required to be included in the trash service agreement or if they could opt out. Any resident that this agreement applies to must pay the fee and is not allowed to opt out.
Discussed changing the penalty rate on delinquent water bills. This will be discussed more at the next meeting. Also discussed raising water deposits for rental properties since the trash service fee will now be included in the water bills. It was decided to leave the water deposit fee at $125.
Discussed amending Ordinance #663, and having it also apply to unhitched trailers and unlicensed vehicles on all public streets.
Discussed changing the starting time of the city council meetings. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Newberry to change the starting time of city council meetings from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
As of January 1, 2022, city council meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month with a starting time of 5:30 p.m.
Discussed a letter that the city has received from the Illinois EPA regarding things being burned at the city burning site at the old sewer plant. The city attorney will respond to this letter.
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 6:50 p.m.
http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/minutes.php
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