Story courtesy of Jeremy Smith for TOC News
The Grayville City Council met Monday night in regular session with the Mayor and three Commissioners present, Commissioner Baldwin was not in attendance.
The meeting opened with the reading of a bid for $500 by Rick and Terry Conner regarding Ordinance 905, pertaining to the sale of real estate at 407 N. Middle St.; the location of a recent house fire. This is the only bid the council has received to date.
The Treasurer reports one million, sixty-nine thousand, five hundred ninety-one dollars and forty-six cents in the Restricted Account; nine hundred twelve thousand, two hundred seventy dollars and ninety-six cents in the Investment Account; and one hundred thirty-five thousand, six hundred sixty dollars and forty-eight cents in Cash on Hand for Operations; for a total of two million, one hundred seventeen thousand, five hundred twenty-two dollars and ninety cents.
The council voted unanimously to approve the purchase order for $1,396 with Town & Country HVAC, for a Raywall eleven thousand two hundred BTU, forced air, 240-volt single phase heater to be installed at the water tower.
In a review of temporary executive powers and disaster declaration the board voted unanimously to move on to a second reading.
The council went to closed session to discuss pending, probable or imminent litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)), and the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)). Upon returning from closed session, it was announced that no executive action had been taken.
In old business, the council unanimously approved Tax Levy Ordinance 901 and Tax Levy Abatement Ordinance 902. The council approved 3 to 1, with the Mayor Abstaining, an intergovernmental agreement with Little Wabash to move the police station, with corrections to Ordinance 904 to account for fuel usage being reflected on the rental agreement. The request for an IDOT Traffic Study to raise the speed limit on IL Rt. 1 from Gray St. South to I-64 was tabled at IDOT’s request until spring, to allow for better weather conditions. The council is still waiting on bids to upgrade the electric service to the campground.
The reading and passage of Ordinance 903, to ban parking on West North Street was tabled until contact could be made with residents that would be impacted. Commissioner Jordan voiced his concerns that residents should be made aware of the impending changes prior to reading and passage of the ordinance. Commissioner James voted against tabling the motion citing how long it had been on the council’s agenda. To avoid a deadlock, Mayor Thompson voted along with Commissioners Jordan and Baldwin in favor. And regarding issues with parking of recreational vehicles on city streets; a preliminary draft of an ordinance addressing concerns will be submitted, with scheduling for first reading to be heard at the next council meeting. The Mayor says, “It’s a yes for no long-term parking, but we need to also be focusing on big items like R.V.s and Campers that impede the flow of traffic when parked on city streets.
Finally, in new business, the council unanimously voted to move on to a second reading on Ordinance 905, the sale of real estate located at 407 N. Middle St., and announced that there will be no “Shop with a Cop” this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The next Grayville City Council Meeting is scheduled to be held on December 28, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Grayville City Hall.
