Busy Meeting for Grayville Council
Two of Grayville’s favorite festivals will continue thanks to help from the Grayville City Council. Dates for the 2019 Mud Bug Fish Fry and the Hog Roast have been announced.
Council members unanimously approved the Grayville Days Committee and Moos Lodge’s Summer Event requests including special event liquor licenses and a $2,500 donation to assist the groups in putting on the gatherings. The Mud Bug Festival will be held on June 1st. The Hog Roast will follow on July 27nd.
Due to the number of guests in attendance last night, Council moved the hirings on the agenda to the bottom. After receding into executive session for about 20 minutes, members emerged and have announced the hiring of Part Time Dispatcher in Training, Cicely Reese. Grayville also approved hiring of Lee Rose for the open Payroll Clerk position. Rose was chosen against 7 other interviewees and will be paid $15.50 per hour for her efforts. Commissioner David Jordan says he hopes she can start as soon as possible.
Grayville has more than $2,248,790 in assets currently including more than a million in restricted funds, $880,000 plus in investments, more than $6,400 in Bonds, and in excess of $344,000 in cash on hand. Treasurer Sharon Walden also says she has received two Dodge and two Ford bids for pickups for the city and asked for consideration to be placed on the next meeting agenda.
Resident Larry Schmittler formally asked the board to consider laying about 200 feet of new sewer line for him. He says the line he ran more than 50 years ago when his property wasn’t in the city limits is in bad shape and blames the former Dairy Queen for dumping grease down the line for some of the problem. Commissioner Jordan suggested prior to approving the request, that Schmittler join him, the mayor and a city worker to walk it and make sure there’s no obstruction or anything in the way of the city further considering his request.
Christina Tomlinson operates a business in downtown Grayville and has requested TIF #1 Funds. Jordan says he met with Tomlinson last week and her repair and upgrade requests as of now were totaling $21,975 including a roofing project, electrical work, bathroom and general ceiling upgrades. Following discussion of some concerns which included Tomlinson owing the Grayville Chamber $1,000 and the failure of a motion being made, Jordan decided to table the consideration, go back and further discuss some outstanding issues including paying outstanding utility bills and the language with which an agreement would be drawn up.
The Treasurer updated the board on Swimming Pool equipment and supplies. She says a HydroLift and new EZ Steps should be installed and ready for use by the time the pool opens Memorial Day weekend. Both products are ADA approved to assist those with disabilities to take advantage of the Grayville City Pool. Walden further asked for council to consider purchasing a pool sweep caddy. Grayville borrowed Albion’s last year and it has to be returned. Council tabled the request. Mayor Joe Bisch said he’d discuss it with Walden soon.
Council will be saving some money on Pest Control Management for it’s 5 buildings. Currently on a month to month agreement with Terminix, Walden sought out new bids after the company announced an increase. Orkin came in with a $15 less per quarter bid and offered an additional 7% discount for paying for an annual agreement up front. Council agreed to go that route and will save $158 by going that route.
Council approved purchasing the software for the Frontier Communications Phone System Maintenance Agreement in the amount of $171.43.
The city will also purchase tapping equipment for gas and water lines. The low bids both came in from Utility Supply. Grayville will pay $3,818.69 for the gas tap equipment and $2,991.67 for the water tap gear.
Finally, Grayville agreed to purchase a concrete retaining wall to be placed on North Third Street on the hill of the Church of Christ. Commissioner Josh Downs says about 75 feet are needed along the city right of way and noted that with a big rain, there’s concern that half of the will be in the roadway. Commissioners decided they could most likely pay for that out of Motor/Fuel Tax monies, though it will require an engineer and getting bids. The cost approved is $6,150.
Oil income since last report is $1,565.15.
