West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met March 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on March 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order with the following commissioners present: Peggy Newberry and Greg Olson. Carole McDowell and Harold Northup Jr. were absent.

Others attending the meeting were Anne Thompson and Gary Smith.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to accept the minutes of the March 3, 2025, meeting. Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. McDowell and Northup ABSENT.

Carole McDowell arrived at 5:31 p.m.

Anne Thompson asked about the new messaging system. The city clerk reported that there appears to be something that Access Systems needs to do so that the system can get up and going. They are working on getting this done as soon as possible. He is going to check with the company to see if there is any way to go ahead and get the system going and then making the update when Access Systems has been able to solve the issue.

Police Chief Gary Smith reported that the camera grant has been completed and submitted. Discussed the city's current security system and possibly getting it upgraded.

Discussed the water loss that the city has been experiencing. The city employee has found and fixed an abandoned water line that was never capped off and was leaking. In addition, a fire hydrant that was leaking badly has been replaced, and it was discovered that a vacant residence had a broken water line that has now been fixed by the property owner. As a result of these things being taken care of, the city's daily water usage is now back to normal.

Mayor Six has been contacted by Verizon regarding the leasing of some ground in town to place a tower. They are looking at a couple of different possible locations. Mayor Six has not heard anymore from them, though.

Discussed the old high school building and the chance being better to get a grant to tear it down if the city purchased the property.

Mayor Six has contacted Dillon Benner to see if he would be interested in mowing the city cemetery again this year. Mr. Benner has indicated that he would mow the cemetery this year for $350 per mowing. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to hire Dillon Benner to mow the city cemetery in 2025 for $350 per mowing. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Discussed the city's backhoe. It has 7 of its 8 cylinders leaking, and 1 is leaking badly. Luby Equipment in Quincy has estimated the cost to fix all 8 cylinders to be $6,500. The backhoe would have to be taken to their shop in Quincy. Brandan Beach has agreed to haul the backhoe to, and from, Quincy for $500. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to have Luby Equipment fix the 8 cylinders in the backhoe for $6,500 and hire Brandan Beach to haul the backhoe to, and from, Quincy for $500. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Deana Ferrill has asked the city to consider making a donation to help with the cost of the annual Easter Egg Hunt. A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to donate $450 to the Easter Egg Hunt. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to enter executive session to discuss the possible purchase of property pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5). McDowell-AYE, Newberry-AYE, Northup ABSENT, Olson-AYE, and Six-AYE.

The meeting entered executive session at 6:17 p.m.

The meeting re-entered regular session at 6:37 p.m.

Discussed purchasing the old high school building. It appears that the only chance the city has to get a grant to tear the building down is if the city owns the property. A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to give the city attorney authority to negotiate with the current owner of the old high school property and to offer a maximum amount of $6,000 for the property. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Discussed a water customer who has had her water shut off for non-payment. She has paid the city for the past due water, sewer, and trash, but has not paid any of the penalties that have accumulated. She has requested that the city forego the penalties that she still owes. The council decided that they could not do this, because if they did it for one customer, they would have to do it for every customer.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/getfile.php?minutes=543