West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met Oct. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on October 21, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order with the following commissioners present: Carole McDowell, Peggy Newberry, and Greg Olson. Harold Northup Jr. was absent.

Others attending the meeting were Anne Thompson, Don & Dyna Scanlan, Alana Paxton, Rich Howe, Ruby Longley, Judy Melton, John Stimpson, and Samantha Harnack.

A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to accept the minutes of the October 7, 2024, meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Don and Dyna Scanlan and Alana Paxton discussed the bills from Mr. Scanlan for loading fill sand and equipment rental and Scanlan and Sparrow Trucking for the trucking of the building debris and fill sand associated with the demolition of the old Hagy's building. The council has not paid these bills because they thought there was a discrepancy between the number of loads of sand that they were being billed for and the number of loads that were loaded and hauled. Mrs. Paxton explained how they bill for the loading of sand and the hauling of debris and sand. She also explained that Mr. Scanlan's bill and Scanlan & Sparrow Trucking's bill were for hours worked, not loads loaded and hauled. They also emphasized that they stopped in the middle of other jobs in order to complete this job for the city as quickly as they could. Mrs Paxton also verified that there were 37 loads of sand loaded and hauled to the old Hagy's building site. The question was also asked as to why the Beach Excavating bill was paid right of way, but theirs were not.

The council thanked Mr and Mrs Scanlan and Mrs Paxton for explaining that Mr Scanlan's and Scanlan & Sparrow Trucking's bills were for hours worked and not loads of sand. The council also explained that the Beach Excavating bill was paid because they did not feel that there was a discrepancy with it.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to pay Matt Markey $20,720 for 37 loads of fill sand, Don Scanlan $9,352.50 for 27.75 hours of loading fill sand and 23.5 hours of dozer rental, and Scanlan & Sparrow Trucking $7,561.25 for 59.25 hours of trucking building debris and fill sand and moving equipment to Matt Markey's sand pit. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

John Stimpson appeared on behalf of the Riverview Sportsmen Club. He reported that their new sign has been installed on the sidewalk at the southeast corner of the 4-way stop. He thanked the council for allowing them to do this.

Rich Howe and Ruby Longley discussed a downed tree and the weeds that are growing up around it on a vacant lot next to their property. They are getting tired of looking at it and would like for this to be taken care of.

Samantha Harnack of the Hancock County Economic Development Corporation reported that Prairie Hills Resource Conservation & Development is working with the Brownfield Network to get a grant for the removal of the old high school building. The EPA is supposed to have someone here to look at the old high school building within the next two weeks. She also reported that a land bank will have to be formed, and discussed possibly forming a 5 county land bank. She will e-mail Mayor Six some more information regarding land banks. She discussed an Intergovernmental Agreement that the city would have to approve in order to take part in the land bank. A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to participate in the development of a land bank and approve the required Intergovernmental Agreement. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Discussed the city's insurance with the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association. If paid in full by November 15, 2024, there is a 1% discount, and the premium for the 2025 calendar year would be $29,372.82, including the 2025 Illinois Muncipal League Dues of $150. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd McDowell to renew the city's insurance with the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association and pay the premium in full by November 15, 2024, in order to receive the 1% discount. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Illini West High School has offered the city $200 for the extra table at city hall. The council feels that it is worth more than this and decided not to sell it at this time.

Due to the first council meeting of the month when bills are paid now being on the 1st Monday of the month, the date of this meeting could be as early as the 1st of the month. The city clerk asked for permission to pay any utility bills that are received after the date of the 1st meeting of the month. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to give the city clerk authority to pay any utility bills that are not received by the date of the first council meeting of the month. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to enter executive session to discuss city personnel pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). McDowell-AYE, Newberry-AYE, Northup-ABSENT, Olson-AYE, and Six-AYE.

The meeting entered executive session at 6:43 p.m.

The meeting re-entered regular session at 7:09 p.m.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to raise Streets Employee Mike Amenell's hourly wage rate to $24, effective November 1, 2024. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to give the City Clerk/Treasurer Steve Vorhies an 8% raise effective November 1, 2024. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/getfile.php?minutes=533