West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met Sept. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on September 25, 2024, 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, Judy Melton, Shasta Heidbreder, Michelle Gold, Doris Harman, Doug Erickson, Gary Smith, and Josie Finch.

A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to accept the minutes of the September 11, 2024, meeting. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

Judy Melton reported that she has done some research on some properties in town and found out that the property at 630 East First Street has been sold and is apparently going to be torn down and the property at 640 East First Street has been condemned by Henderson County.

The Hancock County Economic Development Corporation is having a meeting in October regarding the establishment of a land bank to help with the clean-up of abandoned properties in the county.

Discussed properties that the city's maintenance employee has been mowing.

Shasta Heidbreder appeared on behalf of the Dallas City Elementary School PTO. They are having a Fall Festival to try and raise funds to purchase a new track board for the school. She asked the council if they would be willing to make a donation. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Newberry to donate $300 to the Dallas City Elementary School PTO. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

Michelle Gold appeared on behalf of the Dallas City American Legion. Due to a lack of available help on October 30, they would like to request that Trick-Or-Treat be held on October 31, instead of October 30, so that they can serve hot dogs to the children. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Northup to have Trick-Or-Treat on October 31, instead of October 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to donate $200 to the Dallas City American Legion to help with the cost of the hot dogs that they will be serving on Trick-Or-Treat night. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

Doris Harman thanked the council for having the hole on Pine Street patched.

Police Chief Gary Smith reported that the front brakes on one of the police cars had to be repaired. He also reported that he felt the motorcycle rally that was held last weekend in town went well.

Doug Erickson reported that he thinks that he has gotten everything that he needs to get the Lead Service Line Inventory completed. We have received $15,000 of the $30,000 grant money to help pay for the Lead Service Line Inventory.

A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to pay MB Construction, LLC, $31,800 for conducting the Lead Service Line Inventory as contracted. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to pay Benton & Associates $2,010.75 for the engineering work with the Lead Service Line Inventory. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

Mr. Erickson reported that he is currently working on getting the plans ready for the lift station project.

Commissioner Northup discussed the bills from John Markey for fill sand, Donald Scanlan for loading the sand and dozer rental, and Scanlan & Sparrow for trucking the sand that was used to fill in the hole at the old Hagy's building location. He has checked with some other places in the area to get an estimate for the cost of the same amount of fill sand that the city is being billed for by Mr. Markey. He has been given estimates of $4,440-$5,550 for the fill sand and $5,550 for CA6 rock. The estimates that Commissioner Northup has received includes the loading of the product. The city is being billed $30,072.50 for the fill sand, dozer rental, and loading of the sand.

Anne Thompson asked if the city council couldn't have called a special meeting to discuss the sand and loading issue.

Discussed filing a lien on the property at 380 Oak Street. Also discussed doing a resolution that would prohibit the city from purchasing goods and services from specific vendors.

A motion was made by Newberry to pay John Markey $20,720 for fill sand, Donald Scanlan $9,352.50 for loading fill sand and dozer rental, and Scanlan and Sparrow Trucking $7,556.25 for trucking building debris and fill sand. The motion died for a lack of a second.

Discussed the levy and assessment of taxes for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Since there were no objections presented at the public hearing held prior to the August 28, 2024, city council meeting, a motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Northup to pass Ordinance #681 for the levy and assessment of taxes for the May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, fiscal year. Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell ABSENT.

Discussed the tennis courts and possibly converting them into a combination of tennis courts and pickleball courts. This will be discussed more at a later date.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

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