West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met March 3.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on March 3, 2025, 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, Gary Smith, Tracy Markey, and Josie Finch.

A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Newberry to accept the minutes of the February 17, 2025, meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

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

Police Chief Gary Smith has been dealing with a problem with NIBRS concerning the police department's reporting system. He is working on getting it solved.

Tracy Markey reported that there are 3 abandoned water services by the intersection of Oak Street and 5th Street. He feels that the city should consider capping these off and installing a new valve. It would be a job that would require hiring a contractor to do the work. The council gave him approval to get bids from a couple of local contractors that the city has used before.

Also discussed the fire hydrants that appear to be leaking.

Discussed the lack of tickets that the police department has been issuing.

Mayor Six has received a letter from the Carthage Hospital regarding a mayors meeting that they are holding next week regarding the economic development in Hancock County. He is planning on attending.

It was reported that the streets department's air compressor is no longer working and needs to be replaced. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to pursue purchasing a new air compressor for the streets department. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE. Mayor Six will check around to see what the price would be for a new one.

The city attorney reported that she has sent a letter to the owner's of the property at 396 Oak Street, but she has not heard anything back from them. She also reported that there is a record of a previous court hearing regarding this property, and she is going to speak to a judge to see if he could do anything to help resolve this issue quicker.

Discussed possibly placing a lien on a property that has a delinquent water bill. The tenant has contacted the attorney and told her that she is willing to pay the amount of the water, sewer, and trash bills, but would like for the penalties to be waived. The council decided that they would not waive the penalties.

Discussed the cats in town. The city attorney has researched this and found that some cities have an ordinance that prevents a person from feeding cats unless they are on the person's property.

Discussed the old high school building and the possibility of having a better chance to receiving some kind of grant, or other assistance, to tear it down if the city owned it. The city attorney has a meeting scheduled with the realtor and a representative from Prairie Hills Resource Conservation & Development regarding the old high school building. She will update the council with what she finds out.

Mayor Six has not heard anything more regarding the proposed Land Bank.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m.

http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/getfile.php?minutes=542