The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Dallas City Council convened for its regular meeting on August 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor Kevin Six presiding. Commissioners Carole McDowell, Peggy Newberry, and Greg Olson were present, while Harold Northup Jr. was absent.
Attendees included city officials Anne Thompson, Madisyn Bell, Doug Erickson, Gary Smith, and Mariah Wallace.
The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the August 4 session, passing unanimously among those present.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant project. Doug Erickson updated the council on progress, noting that the contractor anticipates completion in a couple of weeks, weather permitting.
Plans for a water line and hydrant to the Wetlands area were deemed unfeasible due to high costs, easement requirements from BNSF, and the need for state permits to bore under the highway.
Alternative ideas included purchasing a side-by-side vehicle for water transport and a power washer for sidewalk cleaning, though these cannot be funded by the grant and will be revisited later.
With $62,706 remaining in OSLAD funds, the council considered enhancements like oil and chipping the driveway ($48,550), solar bollard lights ($3,777 each), and ADA picnic tables ($2,879 each).
A motion to allocate funds for the driveway work, three bollard lights ($11,331), and one picnic table ($2,879)—totaling $62,760—passed with McDowell, Newberry, and Olson voting aye, Mayor Six nay, and Northup absent. The city will cover the $54 shortfall.
Payments for the project were also approved: $193,667.02 to Laverdiere Construction (less 10% retainage) passed with the same split vote (aye: McDowell, Newberry, Olson; nay: Six; absent: Northup).
An invoice for $63,200 to Benton Engineering (80% of fees) was unanimously approved among those present.
To bridge funding gaps before receiving the remaining $300,000 from the state, the council authorized City Clerk Steve Vorhies to secure a short-term loan from the Bank of Stronghurst, using city CDs as collateral. The motion passed unanimously.
Police Chief Gary Smith presented Officer Kenneth Foster’s resignation, effective August 15, 2025, which the council accepted unanimously.
In an executive session on personnel matters (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)), from 6:58 p.m. to 7:10 p.m., the council approved pay increases for part-time officers: $20/hour for those without academy training; $21/hour for those with city-funded training before completing a two-year commitment; and $22/hour for those who have fulfilled the commitment or self-funded training. The motion passed unanimously.
Chief Smith shared a nuisance ordinance tracking report highlighting ongoing violations.
Specific issues included a tree removal at 374 West Fourth Street (in progress by owner Mike Dill), a malfunctioning drain near the Dallas City Banking Center, and overgrown trees and brush along East First Street, which may trigger a violation notice if not addressed.
The council discussed potential abatement options for nuisances, with the city attorney, Mariah Wallace, tasked to prepare proposals.
Wallace reported progress on the deed for 396 Oak Street, with one owner having signed and the other pending.
Verizon proposed a lease for a cell tower on the former sewer plant site; the council will review and discuss it further next meeting.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church accepted the city’s $33,000 offer for Father Schram Hall, with paperwork underway.
A second executive session on a pending legal matter (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)), from 7:13 p.m. to 7:27 p.m., concluded without public actions disclosed.
The council approved purchasing a new metal detector for approximately $565 after the current one failed, passing unanimously.
To continue the 1% grocery sales tax set to expire January 1, 2026, Ordinance #684 was approved unanimously, implementing municipal grocery retailers’ and service occupation taxes.
Concerns about vehicles parked on sidewalks were noted but not resolved.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. following a unanimous motion.
This session underscored the council’s focus on community development through the OSLAD project while addressing operational and maintenance needs. Residents can contact city officials for more details on ongoing initiatives.
This information was taken from the August 18 minutes approved at the September 2 regular meeting. The Dallas City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 on Tuesday, September 15 at City Hall.