Galesburg Reporter

City of Dallas City Council met April 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Dallas City City Council held its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order with the following commissioners present: Lila Gittings, Esther Newberry, Harold Northup, Jr., and Greg Olson.

Others attending the meeting were Anne Thompson, Matt Miller, Chris Classen, Doug Erickson, and Mariah Wallace.

A motion was made by Gittings, and 2nd by Newberry to accept the minutes of the March 27, 2019, meeting. Gittings, Newberry, and Olson AYE. Northup ABSTAIN.

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

Anne Thompson asked the city attorney what the problem is with contacting the owner of the property on Oak Street where the old cleaners building is. The city attorney has not been able to find an address for the owner. She has researched the address that is on file at the county courthouse, but it does not appear to be the correct address for the owner. The council gave the city attorney authority to send a certified letter to the address on file in the county courthouse, as long as it does not cost more than $20.

Matt Miller asked about the parking on Oak Street north of Third Street. He also asked about putting vending machines on the sidewalk along his property. The council has no problem with Mr. Miller putting vending machines on the sidewalk, as long as they do not prevent someone from being able to use the sidewalk.

Chris Classen discussed a letter that he has received from the EPA regarding the bypassing of the sewer due to the high river level that we have been experiencing. He also discussed possibly getting a grant for the re-locating of two of the city's lift stations.

It was reported that Portia Faul is not going to be able to watch over the dumpsters for Spring Clean-Up Days this week. Sharon Scott has indicated that she would be willing to do it. It was decided to have Mrs. Scott do it if she is still willing to.

Commissioner Olson reported that Chris Akers has looked at the tree at 281 West Third Street and estimated the cost to remove the tree to be $800. He would require the city employees to flag traffic on West Third Street for a short period of time while removing the tree if he does it.

Discussed the fact that residents have seen the city's police vehicles in other towns. The police chief will be asked about this.

Discussed another tree that needs to be removed. It was decided to have the city's maintenance employee look at the tree to see if he thinks he would be able to do the work.

Doug Erickson discussed the sewer project. There has been a problem with the sub-contractor that is doing the lateral grouting portion of the contract. The sub-contractor has grouted approximately 40 laterals that were not included in the contract. Mr. Erickson has informed the contractor that he does not feel that the city is under any legal obligation and should not be required to pay for this work because the sub-contractor was out-of-scope. The city attorney agrees with Mr. Erickson's opinion.

Mr. Erickson discussed the CGB Enterprises Inc., expansion project and the options for re-routing traffic. The council expressed some concerns with these options and gave Mr. Erickson some ideas of what they would like to see for options. Mr. Erickson will work on using these ideas and try to come up with some new options for the council to consider.

Discussed abandoning the lift stations at the elevator and the old sewer plant. It appears that the city may need to wait until next year to do this project due to time constraints for getting all the possible grants and funding that might be available for this project. Also, it would allow the engineer more time to get everything done properly.

Discussed parking on Oak Street between Third Street and the railroad. It was decided to remove the “15 Minute Parking” sign on the east side of Oak Street since Connection Bank no longer has an ATM there. It was also decided to make it 15 minute parking on the west side of Oak Street from the alley, between Third Street and the railroad, to the current sign that is located in front of the property at 275 Oak Street.

Discussed paying for the sand that has been delivered to a resident on East First Street who needed it for sandbagging during the recent flooding. A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Newberry to pay for this sand since it is being used for sandbagging to fight the flooding that is taking place. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson AYE.

Discussed replacing the United States flag at the city hall. A motion was made by Northup, and 2nd by Olson to purchase 2 United States flags. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson AYE.

Discussed having the city supplying trash pickup for residents, not businesses, and adding the fee for this to their water bills. The city will contact the companies that currently provide trash pickup services to Dallas City for bids.

A motion was made by Olson, and 2nd by Northup to pass Ordinance #647, an ordinance to amend Ordinance #639 and reduce the price of the yearly permit application fee for non-highway vehicles to $24 for applicants age 50 and older and $30 for all other applicants. It also gives holders of a 2018 permit a free permit in 2019. Gittings, Newberry, Northup, and Olson AYE.

The city attorney administered the “Oath of Office” to the recently elected officials:

http://dallascity-il.com/documents/minutes.php