It’s likely none of the Grayville commissioners or the mayor himself would disagree the municipality needs income. Just how they’ll generate that money is less easy to agree upon however. Commissioners Baldwin and Jordan were against it. Commissioners Howell and James logged yes votes and when it came time to saw or nah, Mayor Travis Thompson cast the deciding vote and Grayville will lease out 15 acres of timber to JHT Robertson Lumber out of Fairfield, and make $25,000 in the agreement. The mayor chose to put it pretty simply, saying the way he saw it, the city is moving forward with both a water main as well as a water tower project, and his line of thinking was that the monies raised could be used to help offset those project costs. The agreement still hinges on a clause that will require JHT Robertson to agree to do some cleanup of the topped trees rather than just dropping them and leaving the debris behind.
In other news, Grayville Police Chief David Burrows provided his February report which included 195 calls for service, a possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle, 3 arrest warrants, 28 total citations, 20 warnings and 2 traffic crash reports. The full details of Burrows report can be found in this story on our website at wrul.com. Chief Burrows would be later nominated to serve as the city’s Ethics Officer. Burrows also spoke up later in the meeting to urge council to take some kind of action with regards to rental property utility bills. He recalled a specific instance in which a landlord tied the utilities into the rent and when the tenant fell into arrears, attempted to shut off those utilities which the city deemed wasn’t legal for them to do. The matter was tabled for now.
Grayville will be forced to cash in one of it’s CD’s to help pay for an emergency gas project as reported by Commissioner Don Baldwin. The expected cost of the project is up to $190,240.00 though it’s likely the actual cost of the project will be less. Baldwin is also hopeful the city will be able to recoup some of the monies through FEMA or other grants, but admits that will be down the road. The motion passed unanimously. Baldwin also wanted to point out and thank Jake Lewis for his efforts and putting aside several other projects to help the city out during the emergency.
Council discussed multiple requests for funds including Tri State Logistics at the Industrial Park, owned by Michael and Moriah Pipher. That fresh developer’s agreement should be ready to be signed off on at the March 23rd meeting. The Mandy’s request surrounding roof, electrical, and HVAC work was tabled as well. The only funding agreement reached Monday was that for Chad Alldredge’s request for TIF II funds and a revolving loan with a grant of up to $10,000 and revolving loan request for $15,000 with 3% interest. His agreement was approved. The final request concerns Tammy Downs. City Attorney Jay Walden indicated he still had some contract language to be worked out for the TIF I request. That request was tabled for the time being.
A special meeting presentation for the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget has been set for March 16th at 7pm from City Hall.
Finally Monday night, the city awarded it’s mowing bids for the summer season electing to go with K&K for the Industrial Park South Frontage, Memorial Park and Hilltop Campground, Ball Diamond, Sewer Lagoon, Water Tower, Depot/Riverfront lots and the old Cablevision Tower site. Driving Range Plus won bids for several parcels at the I-64 Plaza, Route 1 Right of Ways from Mill to Floral Street and both sides of Route 1, the old Sewer Plant, North Main Street Right of Way, 142 N. Fifth Street, 110 W. Mill Street (Old Carnegie Library), and 611 Water Street (Debbie Knight Estate property).
