West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City City Council met Feb. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on February 22, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order with the following commissioners present: Peggy Newberry, Harold Northup Jr., and Greg Olson. Carole McDowell was absent.

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

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to accept the minutes of the February 8, 2023, meeting. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

Police Chief Gary Smith reported that the police car has been fixed and returned. Scott Rosson has informed Chief Smith that he would be willing to work as a fill-in police officer for the city. He currently works as a full-time police officer for another town and would not require any training. The council gave Chief Smith their approval to start using Mr. Rosson when needed. Chief Smith reminded the council that he is going to be attending a training class in the Quad Cities next week. His breakfast and lunch are included with the training, but not supper. He asked if the council would be willing to pay for his supper while he is at this training. The council agreed to do this.

It was reported that Top Quality Tree Specialists have cut the tree down at the old sewer plant and are now starting on the tree trimming on East Fourth Street, east of the cemetery.

Discussed the old high school and where things stand. It is the city's understanding that a crew of stone masons are going to be coming back this spring to work on taking it down.

Discussed the alley between East Third Street and the railroad tracks from Maple Street to Osage Street that Anthony Pedigo discussed at the last meeting. Commissioner Olson will contact Mr. Pedigo to see if the problem of people driving thru his back yard still exist. Discussed some possible solutions to the problem if it still exist.

Discussed the 3 car garage at the police station. Members of the council have been asked why the police officers don't park their vehicles inside the garage while they are on duty so that people don't know if an officer is on duty, or not. Police Chief Smith informed the council that neither his vehicle nor Officer Foster's vehicle will fit inside the garage.

Mayor Six read a letter from the Illini West High School Post Prom Committee requesting a donation for the 2023 Illini West Post Prom Celebration. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to donate $325 to the Illini West High School Post Prom Committee. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

Discussed the current wages of the city's streets employee, city clerk/treasurer, and water meter reader. The last raise they received was in April 2020. After discussion, a motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Northup to give Street Employee Greg Ferrill and City Clerk/Treasurer Steve Vorhies a 9% raise, effective February 28, 2023. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to give Water Meter Reader Karen Northup a 9% raise, effective February 28, 2023. Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSTAIN. McDowell ABSENT.

Discussed the current wages of part-time police officers. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to raise part-time police officer's wages to $17 per hour, effective February 28, 2023. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to increase Sally Six's pay for cleaning the city hall to $120 per month, effective February 28, 2023. Newberry, Northup, and Olson AYE. Six ABSTAIN. McDowell ABSENT.

Discussed a letter from Access Systems notifying the city that our current computer firewall protection plan is basically becoming obsolete. They have quoted us a new proposal that includes computer firewall protection, support, and security updates for 5 years for both the police station and the city clerk's office. The total cost would be a one time charge of $7,441.48. This would be a monthly increase of about $47 per location. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to authorize the city clerk to sign the agreement with Access Systems to accept their proposal to provide the city with computer firewall protection, support, and security updates for 5 years at the police station and city clerk's office for the cost of $7,441.48. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

Discussed the city's current water rates and the need to increase this rate due to the Dallas Rural Water District's upcoming rate increase that starts May 1, 2023. This will be discussed more at the next meeting.

Discussed a letter from the Western Illinois Regional Council regarding the USDA Rural Development's grant money for its Community Facilities program. Mayor Six will contact WIRC to see if anything that the council has discussed recently would qualify for this grant money.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

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