West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met April 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on April 7, 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, Jason and Michelle Gold, Ron Tutwiler, Tracy Markey, and Gary Smith.

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

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

Anne Thompson asked about the new messaging system. The city clerk reported that it appears things are basically done with the company, and he is working on sending letters out to the residents so that they can be added to the system.

Michelle Gold appeared on behalf of the celebration committee. They are requesting that the city apply for the Special Event Liquor License with the State of Illinois that is required in order to have the beer tent during the celebration this year. The council agreed to do this.

Ron Tutwiler discussed a culvert and ditch adjacent to his property. The culvert goes under the railroad tracks and appears to be plugged up. The ditch also needs to be cleaned out. The city will look into getting the ditch cleaned out and Mayor Six will contact the railroad's general foreman to check on the culvert under the railroad tracks.

Tracy Markey discussed non-licensed plumbers working on installing water lines for city residents. It is a state law in Illinois that only licensed plumbers are allowed to install water lines from the city's mains to a person's property. He feels that the city needs to do a better job of enforcing this law.

Discussed the Sewer Lift Station Project and the idea of installing a separate pump in the sewer lines of residents who live in the flood plain.

It was reported that the backhoe needed new bushings, in addition to the new cylinders, and that it is scheduled to be ready on April 9.

Mayor Six reported that he had spoken to the Verizon representative again about them possibly putting up a tower in town. The representative informed Mayor Six that they are not interested in using the ground by the city's water tank.

Discussed the items that the council is waiting for the city attorney to report back to them on. The John Deere tractor that is used for mowing needs new front tires. Melton's Auto has them on order.

Police Chief Gary Smith discussed replacing his and Officer Foster's ballistic vests. His is 8 years old and Officer Foster's is 7 years old, and it is recommended that they be replaced after 5 years of service. The price of a new ballistic vest is $1,214.78. This includes sales tax and Chief Smith will see if he can get the company to remove the sales tax with our Sales Tax Exemption Certificate.

A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Newberry to purchase two new ballistic vests at the cost of $1,214.78, or less if the company will remove the sales tax. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

Chief Smith requested that the council allow him to have an Ice Cream Day at the grade school at the end of the school year. He would check with the school to see if they would order the ice cream thru their food supplier like they did last year. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to give Chief Smith permission to purchase the ice cream for this event. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

Discussed the estimate from Land and Water Vegetation Control LLC for vegetation control around town. The cost for the vegetation control at the sewer lagoon is $520. 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, and the boat dock area is $720. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to hire Land and Water Vegetation Control LLC to do the vegetation control at all of the previously mentioned areas, except the sewer lagoon, at the cost of $720. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

It was also decided to get an estimate from Land and Water Vegetation Control LLC to do the vegetation control around the tennis courts and the small hillside just south of the tennis courts.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m.

Steven K Vorhies, City Clerk

http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/getfile.php?minutes=544