Grayville City Council held a swift meeting on Monday night, completing their business in just 14 minutes. Without the need for an executive session, the council efficiently addressed various matters, including the approval of ordinances. One of the ordinances established the position of City Administrator, while another sanctioned the sale of a property at 122 S Court Street for $52,500. Additionally, agreements related to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) were approved for properties owned by Mark Smith and the Grayville School District.
During the meeting, resident Lynn Thompson once again raised concerns about a dispute with a neighbor, prompting Commissioner Chris James, Mayor Travis Thompson, and City Attorney Jay Walden to explain that it was a civil matter and provide guidance on potential steps for resolution.
Furthermore, Megan Raber, representing Grayville Days, formally requested financial assistance from the city for an upcoming festival in late August. Treasurer Sharon Walden mentioned that the city had allocated $20,000 for the event, and Mayor Thompson assured that the council would review the request and determine how they could support the festival in a future meeting.
In a previous special meeting on July 1st, the council approved the sale of a property at 122 S. Third Street, which now stands as an empty lot following the demolition of an abandoned home. They also gave initial approval for the sale of the old city hall building at 122 S. Court Street, with the final adoption scheduled for the July 8th meeting. The council also supported a request for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance for downtown buildings at 211 & 213 E North Street, providing $10,000 towards the purchase with the possibility of additional funding for renovations.
Following a brief executive session, the council ratified a 3-year Collective Bargaining Agreement. The agreement includes provisions for editing job descriptions, with scheduled annual wage increases as follows: $1.00 per hour effective May 1, 2024, a 3% increase effective May 1, 2025, and another 3% increase effective May 1, 2026.
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