City of Dallas City City Council met April 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on April 26, 2023, at 5:30 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, Michelle Gold, Tami Kaminski, Doris Harman, Laurey Wibbell, Carolyn Newberry, Mike Clanton, Tracy Markey, and Gary Smith.
A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to accept the minutes of the April 12, 2023, meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
Michelle Gold and Tami Kaminski reported on the city celebration that will take place July 28-30 this year. There will be a parade, fish/chicken dinner, and beer tent. There is not going to be a 5K run this year. A.B.A.T.E. will be having a breakfast on Sunday morning, and then the rest of the Sunday activities will be taking place at the recreation park along with the Christian Music Festival. They are putting more money towards the bands this year because there are not going to be fireworks due to the costs. They asked that the city attorney write the owner of the old high school property a letter requesting that the area around the old high school be cleaned up so that the parade participants will have a place to get set up and lined up for the parade.
The celebration committee also requested that the city council apply for the Special Event Liquor License with the State of Illinois that is required in order to have the beer tent during the celebration. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to apply for a Special Event Liquor License for the Dallas City Celebration Committee from July 27 to August 1, 2023. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
Mrs. Kaminski informed the council that the Dallas City Park District is planning on having someone trim the trees at the recreation park. She asked the council for permission to dump the tree trimmings at the city's burn site. The council gave the park district their approval to do this.
Laurey Wibbell asked about properties in town whose owners were sent letters last year in regards to being in violation of the city's nuisance ordinance, and if anything else is planned or going to be done. The council plans on addressing the properties that are in violation of the nuisance ordinance.
Discussed vehicles that are sitting around town along city streets.
Discussed pot holes in alleys and on both sides of Highway 96 in front of the post office. Mayor Six reported that a lot of the alleys are scheduled to be oiled and chipped this year. As far as the areas in front of the post office, this is State of Illinois property and they are responsible for the maintenance.
Doris Harman asked about the railroad crossings in town. The crossings at Sycamore Street and Osage Street are done. The BNSF Railroad has informed Mayor Six that the crossing at Spruce Street will be finished this week and the one at Pine Street will be done in the near future. They have decided not to do the one on East First Street at the recreation park until August or September.
Mike Clanton asked the council if it would be possible to have the water to his property and Terry Brewer's property shut off at the same time when they are ready to install new water lines to each property. TEST Inc. employee, Tracy Markey, informed him that this would be possible.
Discussed the cleaning up along First Street.
Commissioner Newberry has been asked if it is possible to get a work schedule of the city police officers. Police Chief Gary Smith reported that this is not allowed. If someone has a problem or question, they need to call the city police phone number, 217-852-3713. The call will be answered by someone at the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, and they will contact the officer that is on duty.
Mayor Six reported that streets employee, Greg Ferrill, has informed him that he is planning on retiring sometime this summer.
Harold Northup Jr. left the meeting at 6:33 p.m.
Discussed the water/sewer rates. The Dallas Rural Water District's rate for the water that we purchase from them is raising May 1, 2023. If the council decides to increase the rate that the city charges its customers, a new ordinance will have to be passed before the rate increase can go into effect. The city's last rate increase was August 1, 2017. This will be discussed more at the next meeting.
A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to adjourn the meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/minutes.php
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