West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met April 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on April 10, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order with the following commissioners present: Carole McDowell and Greg Olson. Peggy Newberry and Harold Northup Jr. were absent.

Others attending the meeting were Anne Thompson, Doris Harman, Doug Erickson, and Gary Smith.

A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to accept the minutes of the March 27, 2024, meeting. McDowell, Olson, and Six AYE. Newberry and Northup ABSENT.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to pay bills. McDowell, Olson, and Six AYE. Newberry and Northup ABSENT.

Anne Thompson asked about the old high school building. The city attorney has not let the city know whether she has been able to contact the new owner or not.

Doris Harman would like to “THANK” the city's streets employee, Mike Amenell, for doing a very good job this past winter keeping the streets plowed and salted.

Doug Erickson presented the council with a map showing the results of the lead service line inventory. It appears that there are approximately 202 galvanized water lines and 75 unknown type water lines in town that are going to need to be replaced. The first draft of the replacement plan is due April 15. Mr. Erickson plans on having this submitted by then.

Mr. Erickson also reported that the Facility Plan has been approved for the re-locating of the sewer lift stations that need to be moved so that they are not effected by flooding.

Police Chief Gary Smith gave his monthly report for March 2024. The new office computer has been installed and is in use. The body camera system is up and running. However, in order to accommodate the uploading of the in-car video, the internet speed at the police station had to be increased. Increasing the internet speed with Mediacom is a monthly agreement and no service contract agreement is required. The “Ice Cream Day” at the grade school will be May 15. The school is ordering 4 boxes of ice cream for the city at $43.50 per box. Chief Smith will pick up some frozen fruit bars from Dollar General for those who can't have ice cream.

Commissioner Olson reported that Huffman Welding still hasn't come and looked at the grate that needs replaced at East Second Street and Elm Street. He is going to try to contact a couple of others to see if they would be interested in the job. He also discussed possibly looking at the culvert that leads into this area to see if it needs replaced as well.

Mayor Six reported that he has spoken to some of the other mayors in Hancock County regarding the dog situation. They also feel that something needs to be done.

Discussed the landscaping work around the city hall/police station building and the flag pole area. Cindy Ritz has estimated the cost to put river rock around the north and east sides of the building and other beautification work around the flag pole area to be $1,325-$1,525. This includes the cost of flowers and maintenance. Funds from the Beautification Fund would be used to pay for this. A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to hire Cindy Ritz to do the beautification work around the north and east sides of the city hall/police station building and the flag pole area for $1,325-$1,525. McDowell and Olson AYE. Six NAY. Newberry and Northup ABSENT.

Discussed a proposal from Benton & Associates Inc. for the providing of Professional Engineering, Surveying, and Technical Services regarding assistance on the Lead Service Line Inventory. The estimated cost for these services is up to $7,000. Benton & Associates would agree not to exceed $7,000 without the authorization of the city. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to approve the agreement with Benton & Associates Inc. for the providing of Professional Engineering, Surveying, and Technical Services regarding assistance on the Lead Service Line Inventory at a cost not to exceed $7,000 without authorization from the city. McDowell, Olson, and Six AYE. Newberry and Northup ABSENT.

Discussed the city telephone and internet service. It appears that McDonough Telephone Company is getting close to being able to provide services at the city's locations. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to switch the city's telephone and internet service to McDonough Telephone Company as soon as it is available to the city's locations. McDowell, Olson, and Six AYE. Newberry and Northup ABSENT.

Commissioner McDowell has asked Trout Fencing if they would be willing to put up the same type of fencing that they did last year around the old high school building during the city celebration this summer, and they said that they would do it.

Discussed an estimate from Land and Water Vegetation Control LLC for vegetation control around town. The cost for the vegetation control at the sewer lagoon is $460. The cost for the vegetation control along Highway 9 and Oak Street, the cemetery fence, the guard rails west of the old high school, the guard rails along First Street, the city maintenance building, the area north of the intersection of West Second Street and Walnut Street to the railroad tracks, and the boat dock area and restrooms is $660. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to hire Land and Water Vegetation Control LLC to do the vegetation control at the previously mentioned areas at the cost of $1,120. McDowell, Olson, and Six AYE. Newberry and Northup ABSENT.

Discussed the 2024 Motor Fuel Tax proposal. The estimated cost to oil and chip the originally planned streets exceeds the funds that are available for the city to spend. Therefore, the proposal is going to have to be amended. After discussing the streets that were included in the original proposal, it was decided to remove three areas. The updated proposal will be sent to the engineer so that he can work on a revised estimate.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

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