West Central Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met Aug. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting on August 18, 2025, 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, Madisyn Bell, Doug Erickson, Gary Smith, and Mariah Wallace.

A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to accept the minutes of the August 4, 2025, meeting. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Doug Erickson discussed the OSLAD project. The contractor thinks that, weather permitting, they should have the job completed in a couple of weeks. Both the contractor and the engineer feel that the idea of installing a water line to the Wetlands area and a hydrant to get water would not be a feasible idea due to the cost of a water line and hydrant, and the fact that an easement would have to be obtained from BNSF. Also, due to the Dallas Rural Water line being on the south side of the highway, a permit would have to be obtained from the State of Illinois and a line would have to be bored under the highway in order to create a service with the Dallas Rural Water District. Discussed purchasing a side-by-side to haul water to the Wetlands area and a power washer to clean the sidewalk that is being built. These are items that can not be paid for with the OSLAD Grant money. This will be discussed more at a later date.

Mr. Erickson reported that there is $62,706 remaining from the OSLAD Grant funds that can be used on the project. Some ideas for things that could be done include oil and chipping the driveway in front of the Wetlands area, solar bollard lights, and picnic tables. The cost to do the oil and chipping of the driveway would be $48,550. The solar bollard lights are $3,777 each. ADA picnic tables are $2,879 each. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to oil and chip the driveway for $48,550, purchase 3 solar bollard lights for $11,331, and purchase 1 ADA picnic table for $2,879. The total for these items would be $62,760. The city will pay the $54 difference between the total cost of these items and the remaining balance of the OSLAD Grant funds. McDowell, Newberry, and Olson AYE, Six NAY, Northup ABSENT.

Discussed Pay Estimate #1 for the OSLAD project. Laverdiere Construction's pay estimate #1, less 10% retainage, totals $193,667.02. A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Newberry to pay Laverdiere Construction $193,667.02 for pay estimate #1 out of the OSLAD Grant Fund account. McDowell, Newberry, and Olson AYE. Six NAY. Northup ABSENT.

Discussed invoice from Benton Engineering for $63,200 for 80% of the engineering fees for the OSLAD project. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to pay Benton Engineering $63,200 for 80% of the engineering fees for the OSLAD project out of the OSLAD Grant Fund account. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

The city clerk informed the council that the remaining amount due to Laverdiere Construction and Benton Engineering for the OSLAD project would be due before the remaining $300,000 is received from the State of Illinois. He has spoken to the Bank of Stronghurst about a short term loan using the city's CD's as collateral. They have agreed to do this. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by Olson to give City Clerk Steve Vorhies the authority to sign the necessary paperwork for a loan for the OSLAD project and to use the city's CD's as collateral. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Police Chief Gary Smith presented the council Officer Kenneth Foster's letter of resignation, effective August 15, 2025. A motion was made by Newberry, and 2nd by McDowell to accept the resignation of Kenneth Foster. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Discussed the Nuisance Ordinance Tracking report, as presented by Chief Smith, showing who is still in violation of the city's nuisance ordinance.

It was reported that Mike Dill is working on getting the tree at 374 West Fourth Street removed. Discussed a drain by the Bank of Stronghurst that is not handling the rain.

Discussed trees and brush growing along East First Street and issuing a nuisance ordinance violation if it is not cleaned up.

The city attorney reported that the deed to the property at 396 Oak Street has been signed and returned to her by one of the owners. She is still waiting for the other owner to sign it and return it to her.

Discussed doing an abatement of nuisances ordinance. The city attorney will draw up a few options for the council to consider.

Verizon has given the city a lease exhibit for a cell tower that they would like to place on the city's property where the old sewer plant was located. The council will review this and discuss it more at the next meeting.

The city has been notified by the Sacred Heart Catholic Church that they are accepting the city's offer of $33,000 for the Father Schram Hall property. They are working on the necessary paperwork.

The city's metal detector that is used to find curb stands has quit working. The approximate cost of a new metal detector is $565. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to purchase a new metal detector for approximately $565. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Discussed the 1% grocery sales tax that is scheduled to be discontinued January 1, 2026, unless the city passes an ordinance to continue the sales tax. A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to approve Ordinance #684, An Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers' Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grovery Service Occupation Tax. McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

Discussed vehicles that are parked on sidewalks.

A motion was made by McDowell, and 2nd by Olson to enter executive session to discuss 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 6:58 p.m.

The meeting re-entered regular session at 7:10 p.m.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to increase the hourly pay rate for part-time police officers to the following:

$20 for part-time officers who have not completed academy training

$21 for part-time officers who have completed academy training paid for by the city, but before their 2 year commitment is completed

$22 for part-time officers who have completed their 2 year commitment or whose academy training was not paid for by the city

McDowell, Newberry, Olson, and Six AYE. Northup ABSENT.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by McDowell to enter executive session to discuss a pending legal matter pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). McDowell-AYE, Newberry-AYE, Northup-ABSENT, Olson-AYE, and Six-AYE.

The meeting entered executive session at 7:13 p.m.

The meeting re-entered regular session at 7:27 p.m.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

http://www.dallascity-il.com/documents/getfile.php?minutes=553