West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on May 19, 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, Doug Erickson, Tracy Markey, Mike Amenell, Mariah Wallace, and Gary Smith.

A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to accept the minutes of the May 5, 2025, meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

Doug Erickson reported that the OSLAD Walking Path project around the Wetlands area is ready to be bid. It was decided to hold a pre-bid meeting on June 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. and the opening of bids on July 1, 2025, at 2 p.m. Both will take place at city hall.

Discussed the Phase II Wastewater System Improvements Project. The council requested that the engineer check on a gravity system to see what the cost would be in comparison to using a pump system.

Mike Amenell discussed the batwing mower. He has checked around with some dealers. The lowest government price that he could find is $19,465 from Bedwell Farm Equipment Company in Bushnell, IL, for a 2025 Woods BW 15.52. They will also give the city a $1,000 trade-in allowance for the city's old John Deere batwing mower. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Northup to purchase the 2025 Woods BW 15.52 batwing mower from Bedwell Farm Equipment Company for the net purchase price of $18,465. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

Anne Thompson asked about the Motor Fuel Tax funds. It was explained that due to the large amount of streets that have been oiled and chipped the last couple of years, there is only approximately $36,000 in the Motor Fuel Tax fund.

Police Chief Gary Smith reported that he has sent out about 20 notices to property owners that are in violation of the city's nuisance ordinance. Discussed some other properties that need to be addressed.

Mayor Six reported that the Verizon representative has contacted him again regarding the possible putting up of a tower on the city's property west of the boat dock parking lot. He has informed Mayor Six that he and his bosses are planning on coming to town to look at the property.

City Attorney Mariah Wallace reported that one of the owners of the property at 396 Oak Street has signed the necessary paperwork to sell it to the city. She is now waiting for the other owner to sign the paperwork. She is also going to contact the owner of the property at 386 Oak Street to see if they would be willing to sell their property. She reported that the owner of the old high school building is still wanting a large amount for his property. She discussed a possible plan of filing a federal lawsuit against the property owner. She informed the council that her firm is not licensed to file federal lawsuits, but that they would be more than willing to help connect the city up with an attorney that is licensed for federal lawsuits. It was decided to have Ms. Wallace contact the Illinois Municipal League to see if they have an attorney that could handle this for the city.

Discussed a discrepancy with a property owners property line. The city attorney is going to look into this for the city.

Mayor Six has contacted Representative Jill Tracy's office regarding the adding to the Green Bay Levee across the river from Dallas City.

The Dallas City Catholic Church is closing, and someone from the church has asked Mayor Six if the city would be interested in purchasing the Father Schram Hall. It was dedided to find out how much they are asking for it.

Discussed the removal of the abandoned water service lines along Oak Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets. The following bids have been received:

Laverdiere Construction $7,320 per 8 hour day. Excludes trucking of pavement Housewright Construction $6,600 per 8 hour day. Trucking of pavement included.

Both contractors have indicated that they think they should be able to do the job in 1 day. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by McDowell to hire Housewright Construction to remove the abandoned water service lines along Oak Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets for $6,600 per 8 hour day. McDowell, Newberry, Northup, Olson, and Six AYE.

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 6:36 p.m.

http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/getfile.php?minutes=547