Safety concerns for staff at the Grayville Groff Memorial Library took center stage during last Monday night’s city council meeting, with the topic occupying nearly half of the last monthly session for November. Discussion began with Mayor Travis Thompson reading a letter from the library board, urging the council to consider staff safety during clock-in and clock-out procedures. Currently, library employees are required to clock in and out at the rear of city hall, an area lacking lighting and obscured by a generator and other objects—creating potential hiding spots and raising worries, especially during standard time when staff always clock out after dark.
The library board unanimously requested that the city install a $625 sensor at the library for clocking in and out, citing safety and peace of mind for staff. The board referenced previous council encouragement to request funds as needed and emphasized the risks, noting that “it only takes once for an unpleasant event or tragedy to cause lasting consequences, especially and sadly for women.”
City attorney Jay Walden acknowledged the legitimacy of the safety concern, but noted that union requirements would mean similar accommodations would have to be offered at other city facilities, potentially increasing costs well beyond the initial $625. He suggested exploring the option of relocating the clock-in location to a lighted area at the front of city hall.
Treasurer Sharon Walden reported that she, city administrator David Kendrick, and a representative from Felts Lock Shop had already begun working on a front entrance solution, with progress made earlier that day. Commissioner Andi Ford then raised concerns about the punctuality of library opening hours. Ford recounted multiple instances of residents waiting outside after 10 a.m. for the library to open, noting that “if we say one of our buildings opens at a certain hour, it needs to open at a certain hour and someone needs to be there or they don’t get paid for the time they’re writing down when they’re not there.”
The remainder of the meeting was routine and brief, lasting less than 12 minutes and including the passage of the 2025/2026 tax levy, abatement of the levy for the 2014 bond issue, and approval of change orders to close out the water main replacement project. Discussion on the lift station alarm system was tabled due to a pending quote.
The next Grayville City Council meeting is scheduled for December 8th.