The Grayville City Council met for about an hour Monday Evening. That included a nearly 25 minute executive session.
In the treasurer’s report, it was announced there was $1,909,277,25 in restricted funds, $955,014.51 in investments, and $94,032.80 cash on hand for a total of $2,958,323.84. City Treasurer Sharon Waldon says that she will be picking up a check from the White County Treasurer’s Office on Tuesday. According to Waldon, Purchase Orders are not being used and city treasurer is requesting city employees use purchase orders or be written up by the finance commissioner. Waldon says that purchase orders are needed for the vendor to be paid and that everything ordered needs to be on the purchase order.Walson says that the city is probably spending $500 to $750 per month on “extras”. Waldon says that the purchase order is a part of checks and balances to keep records accurately.
In the engineering report, the city is currently working on phase two of the water main replacement throughout the city. The funds for the project are coming from a cdbg grant and city officials say they are still working on an agreement for the grant. Without the agreement, the city cannot bid out for the project and the bidding process is currently expected to start in Mid-December. With that, city officials believe there is a good chance the project bidding gets delayed again. It was also announced that there was no easement in place for a portion of the existing water main. In the report, it was stated that it was highly recommended to obtain an easement if you don’t already have one. The easement in question is in the area of Commerce and Pulaski Streets. In an update on the wastewater plant, there was a W2E meeting. A preliminary plan. Was presented and the preparation for the project was around 20 percent complete. Officials say what is expected for the project is being done and the project is moving forward. City officials report the ozlight application has been submitted and they expect to hear back early next year on that. In reference to the lead service line inventory, the grant and service agreement with M&G120 Water has been executed. With the wastewater treatment plant, city officials are pursuing DCOE funding. According to city officials, income surveys have been completed. Plans have been submitted to the EPA on November 6th. The application process is being worked on currently for the plans with the wastewater plant. In reference to the generator at city hall, it was recently delivered and set. Fuel line delivery is expected within the near future. Evapar is the company installing the generator. In reference to CMH Homes and the subdivision at Court and Gray Street, initial layout was presented opposite of what was expected by city officials. With the new layout, city officials believe it works better. In reference to bulk water sales, a quote was previously submitted for $67,397.07 was tabled at the last meeting to be discussed at a later time.
In the commissioners reports, Commissioner Baldwin reminds residents that neither Sunrise Sanitation or the City of Grayville pickup used furniture for disposal. Commissioner Baldwin asks that residents dispose of their furniture properly. Baldwin says that he has noticed several old furniture items laying outside and he says it does nothing for the city and it will sit there until it rots. In the end, Baldwin reminds the public that it is the property owner’s responsibility to discard their old furniture properly. Commissioner James echoed Commissioner Baldwin’s comments and made mention of looking into the city ordinances and possibly post tickets. After a public question, Mayor Thompson says Sunrise Sanitation will dispose your old furniture for a special pickup fee, but you have to contact them ahead of time for that service. Ask for white goods, you can contact a local junk dealer.
The Groff Library board went before the council to request a raise for Library Director, Kathleen Rister. Board members with the library mentioned that Rister has been with the library longer than some of the current city employees and that she is paid the least. Board members highlighted several grants that Rister has obtained for the library in her time. The library board also made a request for a handrail to get up and down to the library from street parking. Mayor Thompson made mentioned that he was under the impression the handrail installation was previously approved and he would follow up on the progress on the situation.
Following the executive session, the city council motioned and approved the listing of the old city hall building for sale. In the next meeting, there will be more on the in the early December session. The council motioned a raise for Library Director Rister to $19 per hour. Commissioner Andi Ford mentioned that a collective bargaining session will be taking place early next year and following that, there are plans to look into more of an increase on Rister’s salary. That measure was approved unanimously. Approval was given for a TIF agreement with Southern Gray LLC while the TIF Agreement for Janel’s Parlor was tabled.
Mayor Thompson followed up with the council on the New Resident Attraction Program. Commissioner Ford had a few questions in regards to the program idea. The first questions was in regards to a person buying a home in Grayville and then renting it out. Mayor Thompson says that proof of residency would be required to get the grant money. Thompson went on to mention that the program could also be set where the home purchased that the grant funding would go towards has to have a baseline cost. Commissioner Ford also asked the question of what do current residents and taxpayers get out of the program idea? Mayor Thompson responded to the question with lower taxes and utility rates. The program discussion was tabled further to next meeting.
The Tax Levy Ordinance and the Tax Levy Abatement were also tabled to next meeting.
The City Christmas Party in Grayville was set for December 15th during the lunch hour at Grayville City Hall.
Quotes from Guiseweit were still good according to City officials for demolition of a couple of properties. Properties include 122 South 3rd and the former police station at 101 South Main. The quote was for $7,000 for South 3rd plus the cost of seeding and strawing as well as the hauling off of debris. The Police Station demolition was for $14,900. The quotes were approved unanimously.
The Grayville City Council meets again on December 11th.