Dallas City Council

Dallas City Council Approves Sewer Project Amendment

(From the minutes taken by Steven K. Vorhies, City Clerk)

The Dallas City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m. in city hall. Mayor Kevin Six called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioners Carole McDowell, Harold Northup Jr. and Greg Olson. Peggy Newberry was absent.

Also in attendance were  Anne Thompson, Deana Ferrill, John Stimpson, Cathie Smith, Jennifer Johnston, Andres Hernandez, Police Chief Scott Rosson, and others. City Engineer Doug Erickson participated by telephone.

The council unanimously approved the minutes from the February 16, meeting and authorized payment of bills. 

Deana Ferrill requested support for the annual Dallas City Community Easter Egg Hunt, scheduled for Saturday, April 4. The council approved a $450 donation to help cover costs. 

John Stimpson inquired about topping a tree located between the sidewalk and highway in front of his home. The council explained that the city’s policy does not allow topping but offered to consider full removal if requested.

Discussion turned to the discharge pipe and gate valve from the sewer lagoon to the Wetlands area. Officials noted it may be plugged, causing water to flow toward the river instead. The city will arrange for an inspection.

Small trees emerging west of the sewer lagoon will be addressed with the brush cutter once weather permits.

Jennifer Johnston, a renter, asked about restoring water service to her residence after shutoff for non-payment (the landlord is responsible for the bill). The council stated the past-due amount must be cleared before service can resume, even if she pays a deposit and transfers the account to her name.

Andres Hernandez presented Amendment #2 to the engineering services agreement with Benton Engineering for the Phase 2 Sanitary Sewer Collection System Improvements. 

The amendment covers additional design services for revising the proposed forcemain route from the North Alley to East First Street and resolving conflicts with existing utilities, as well as engineering services for the bidding phase and Task 7 (construction consultation and observation).

Additional design fees total $35,000, with bidding and construction services not to exceed $185,000. Commissioner Northup made the motion to approve, seconded by McDowell. It passed unanimously.

Police Chief Scott Rosson reported that new ATV/UTV stickers have arrived and are now available. He also plans to attend a training class on March 12.

The council discussed cats running at large in the city and the Dallas Rural Fire Protection District using city fire hydrants to fill trucks during fires outside city limits.

Mayor Six announced that Dillon Benner has offered to mow the city cemetery in 2026 for $400 per mowing. Commissioner Olson moved to accept the offer, seconded by Northup. The motion passed unanimously.

Additional items included exploring liens on properties with large outstanding water bills (the water commissioner will research procedures at the courthouse) and reviewing a proposal from Laverdiere Construction for seven additional solar bollard lights along the new walking path at the Wetlands area (cost: $24,850 including foundations and cleanup). The council decided to solicit another estimate before proceeding.

The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m. This information was taken from the March 2 minutes approved at the March 16 regular meeting. The Dallas City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6, at city hall.