City of Dallas City City Council met June 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on June 14, 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, Becky Thompson, Alissa Tucker, Drew Ruholl, Josie Finch, and Gary Smith.
A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to accept the minutes of the May 24, 2023, meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by McDowell to pay bills. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
Alissa Tucker, Superintendent/Principal of the Dallas City School District, informed the council that she has been having parents complaining about things that have been going on at the tennis courts at night. She asked for the city police to try and check on this area more often at night. She also reported that she has had several request to turn one of the existing tennis courts into a pickleball court. The estimated cost to do this is approximately $20,000. She asked if the city would be willing to help with this cost. The council indicated that they would like for the school district to consider some other options to raise money for this project before they consider donating.
Discussed properties in town whose owners have been sent a letter informing them that the property is in violation of the city's nuisance ordinance. About half of these properties have been taken care of by the owners.
Anne Thompson requested that Ordinance #440, An Ordinance Concerning Nuisances in the City of Dallas City, be put on the city's website. The city clerk will do this. She informed the council that there is an abandoned vehicle with four flat tires and an expired registration setting along West Fourth Street. The city attorney will check to see if there is anything the city can do about this. She also discussed non street legal motorbikes that are being operated around town. She requested that the city police department keep an eye out for these being operated on the city streets and alleys.
Drew Ruholl reported that the city's Motor Fuel Tax Letting was held on May 31, 2023. The following bids were submitted:
W.L. Miller Company $29,576.50
Hood Construction Group Midwest, LLC $50,762.50
The engineer's estimated cost was $27,200.00. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to accept the bid of $29,576.50 from W.L. Miller Company. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
Police Chief Gary Smith gave his report for the month of May. All of the department's officers participated in a recent practice range and department weapons qualifications are scheduled for July. Chief Smith's Rail Car Incident Response that was to be this month was canceled. The 2020 Explorer police car has been repaired and all repairs were covered under warranty. He also reported that the State of Illinois is requiring all police officers to be in use of body cameras by January 1, 2025. He is planning on looking into these and getting prices for them. He is also going to get prices for both leasing them and purchasing them.
Discussed cats that are running at large around town.
Discussed the buildings in town that need to be demolished. The city attorney is going to check on these.
Greg Ferrill has requested that he be allowed to keep his current city cell phone and number when he retires. Everything for this phone will be switched over to his personal account, and the city will need to purchase a new phone for the person that is hired to be the new streets employee. The council has no objections to this.
Discussed passing a new ordinance to increase the water and sewer rates effective with the July 1, 2023, billing. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to pass Ordinance #674 which will make the city's water rate $20 and sewer rate $30 for 0-1,000 gallons usage, and the water rate $4.50 and sewer rate $3.50 per 1,000 gallons usage in excess of 1,000 gallons, effective with the July 1, 2023, bills. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
The current monthly trash service fee of $16.50 is not affected by this new ordinance, for those that it applies to.
A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to enter executive session to discuss street personnel pursuant to ILCS 120/2 (c)(1). McDowell-AYE, Newberry-AYE, Northup-AYE, Olson AYE, and Six-AYE.
The meeting entered executive session at 6:23 p.m.
The meeting re-entered regular session at 6:50 p.m.
Discussed hiring a new streets/maintenance employee to replace the retiring Greg Ferrill. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by McDowell to have Mayor Six, Street Commissioner Olson, and retiring employee Greg Ferrill interview the applicants. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to allow Mayor Six and Commissioner Olson to offer the applicant that they feel is best for the position the salary and other incentives that were discussed in executive session. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Northup to adjourn the meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
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