Part of the purpose of a council is to have a group of individuals making decisions. It was apparent at Monday night’s Grayville Council gathering however that one commissioner in particular’s absence was heavily felt. Finance Commissioner David Jordan is having knee replacement surgery today (Tuesday) and was therefore unable to attend in person. When it came time to discuss and potentially act on the Municipal Liability, Property, Workman’s Compensation Insurance following last meeting’s presentations, council was hesitant to move forward without Jordan’s input. Commissioners had questions and at least one was admittedly flummoxed by the numbers leading council to table the decision for two more weeks when they hoped Jordan would be back. First Insurance representative Doug Raber and RMA rep Jim Closson were both in attendance. First Insurance, who currently has the city’s business, provided a quote at $88,234. RMA countered with coverage at a guaranteed rate of $68,050 for two years.
In other business, leaders agreed to spend just under $1,000 for new Chest Waders for the Grayville Utility Department, granted Mayor Travis Thompson an extension of temporary executive powers and disaster declaration surrounding the CoViD-19 pandemic, and approved two ordinances following their second readings. The first, #897 was a change to the Solicitor’s/Peddler’s agreement. The second, #900 authorized the sale of property at 407 North Middle Street.
Police Chief Burrows gave his October report, which included 15 citations for the month and 27 written warnings. The chief law enforcement officer for Grayville also discussed briefly his recommendations with regards to municipal ordinance violations. The city is flirting with creating courtesy fines in order to keep more in local fines. Chief Burrows also asked Council to consider preparing an ordinance that would make parking on West North Street from Court to First illegal aside from Sundays 9am to noon on the south side to help alleviate congestion and farm machinery/semis. Lastly, he asked for an ordinance to be changed regarding parking recreational vehicles on city streets. The law currently allows it for up to 72 hours. He says there’s no reason for them to be parked on city streets any longer than loading or unloading takes and it’s difficult for his department to track how long they’ve been there. Council agreed, aside from Commissioner Don Baldwin and will prepare an ordinance.
The council is recommending no change to the tax levy represented in Ordinances 901 and 902. This was the first reading for that ordinance. We’ve got a photo which details the proposed levy in this story on our website, at wrul.com. Additionally, the council approved the updated zoning map for Grayville. A photo of that also appears in this story online.
Councilman Baldwin continued on his quest to get an IDOT Traffic Study in the hopes of raising the speed limit on Route 1 from Gray Street to the Dollar General. He says the limit should be 45 mph there instead of 35. He also asked for more speed limit signs and warnings that the limit slows from Subway to the Dollar General. Commissioners Tyler Howell and Baldwin voted yes. Commissioner Chris James and Mayor Travis Thompson voted no stalling the effort.
Karen Aker appeared before Grayville Council to again request assistance from the city in paying their light bills. As has been the custom, council agreed to again provide $7,500 in relief by way of $5,000 in utility credits along with $2,500 in cash.
Lastly, council voted to get quotes for an electrical upgrade at the campground. Mayor Thompson says the facility has been “bringing in a lot more money” and he feels it’s time to reinvest some of that. He noted that some of the bigger RV’s need 50 amp hookups and have been blowing the 30 amps in service there. The upgrade, council hopes will take care of that.
Council adjourned just after 7:40pm. They’re due back in session on Monday, November 23rd.
