Grayville City Council met for their final get together of June Monday evening. Commissioner Tyler Howell says residents could experience water service interruptions as contract work on the water tower begins. With cleaning being done in and over the next couple weeks, he says it’s possible and that with the scope of work, they won’t be able to pin point which specific days interruptions would occur. Commissioner David Jordan reminded commissioners and asked them to touch base with department heads to reinforce to them that any purchases over $500 had to be approved by council. Jordan mentioned a purchase of more than $1,000 the week prior was attempted. He also notified council they had received two oil payment checks, one from Growmark in the amount of $170.07 and the other from Bi-Petro in the amount of $232.70. The only other business to occur prior to executive session was a transfer of funds. Treasurer Sharon Walden reported to council that she needed authorization to transfer $27,325 of the $29,716.68 in their First Bank account to the general fund held and then $20,000 to the Citizen’s National Bank water account for the lease payment on the city’s meters. That transfer was approved unanimously.
Following executive session, council put a property of 413 North State Road up for bids. Attorney Jay Walden commented the property would be open to bids with the caveat that a couple who have already cleaned up the property would also be bidding for the property in the amount that they’ve already spent in cleaning it up. Walden says if another higher bid is received that council decides to award the property to, the city will reimburse within reason the cost of that cleanup to the Krankles. That motion, an ordinance (#891) was passed unanimously.
Additionally, from executive session talks, Grayville is taking ownership of a property at 402 Middle Street through the trustee agent so they can clean the real estate up and get it back on the tax roll.
Mayor Travis Thompson gave an update on demolition of abandoned properties saying more progress was being made including a property on West Plum and also a barn on the east side of South Street. He says two or three more are scheduled to come down within the next few weeks or so.
Council tabled the animal control ordinance and an ordinance amending the traffic code before tackling racing, sport and hobby vehicles in city limits for another nearly 12 minutes. Council discussed demolition derby cars and such at their first June meeting at length and came to the determination they would not be issuing permits to allow for those vehicles to be on properties. Following that meeting, Mayor Thompson and Commissioner Howell both said they heard from many of their constituents asking for some reconsideration. Police chief David Burrows remained staunchly against it saying that state statutes of Disturbing the Peace would supersede any ordinance or legislation they might pass. Council ended up split on allowing City Attorney Jay Walden to work with Chief Burrows in an attempt to draft an ordinance with some guidelines in place. Commissioners Don Baldwin and Howell voted yes while Jordan and Commissioner Chris James voted no leaving it to the mayor to cast the tie breaking yes vote.
The City is also moving forward with it’s plan to change the north side of East North Street from nose to tail parking to diagonal parking. Baldwin was the lone Commissioner to vote no on that front.
Only two bits of new business. Council gave Mayor Thompson authorization to sign documents related to the Rebuild Illinois Grant Application for the James M. Helm American Legion Post 696. Lastly, Council authorized Commissioner Baldwin, with the mayor, to engage in negotiations with Consumers Gas and Mt. Carmel on a new Natural Gas Pipeline Agreement.
Grayville leaders will gather again for regular session on July 13th at 7pm in Council Chambers at City Hall.
