CITY OF GRAYVILLE
STATE OF ILLINOIS
COUNTIES OF WHITE AND EDWARDS
FEBRUARY 14, 2022
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The City of Grayville City Council was called to order on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 7:00 P.M., by Mayor Travis Thompson with the following members present at roll call: Commissioners Jordan, Baldwin, Howell, and James. Also present for the meeting were, City Clerk JoEllen Seil, City Treasurer Sharon Walden, City Attorney Jay Walden, Police Chief Robert Hatcher, and citizen guest Andy Brock.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Thompson asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Baldwin. Yeas: Commissioners Baldwin, Jordan, Howell, James, and Mayor Thompson. Nays: None. The motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Sharon Walden read the Treasurer’s Report. She reported $1,792,619.57 in Restricted Funds, $934,262.30 in Investments and $319,083.41 in cash available for operations for a total balance of $3,045,965.28. Treasurer Walden asked if there were questions. Commissioner James made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Baldwin. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
PURCHASE ORDER APPROVALS: There were no purchase orders for approval.
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: There were no visitors requesting to be recognized at this time.
POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: Police Chief Robert Hatcher read his monthly report which included call activity, arrests and car mileage. He announced that Donnie Watkins has resigned. He added that Mike Brown attended Lead Homicide Training and Brandon Smythe has completed four weeks at academy. He said the progress reports are all good on Mr. Smythe.
CITY ATTORNEY: Attorney Jay Walden had nothing to report at this time.
COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Commissioner Baldwin publicly thanked Dollar General Store for their grocery expansion and suggested the city send them a thank you note.
COMMISSIONER JORDAN: Commissioner Jordan reported oil income of $1,483.39. He said the budget is still being worked on with a couple of small holes to work out yet. He said the budget will be presented at the next council meeting for the 30-day public notice period.
COMMISSIONER HOWELL: Commissioner Howell had nothing to report at this time.
COMMISSIONER JAMES: Commissioner James had nothing to report at this time.
MAYOR THOMPSON: Mayor Thompson had nothing to report at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Thompson asked for a motion to adjourn into Executive Session for the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body and; the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including whether a particular parcel should be acquired and setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body; The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body, and; The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of employees of the Police Department. Commissioner Howell made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session for the stated reasons. Commissioner James seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
ADJOURN EXECUTIVE SESSION: Commissioner Jordan made a motion to adjourn Executive Session, seconded by Commissioner James. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION ACTION: Commissioner Jordan made a motion to accept the resignation from Donnie Watkins. Commissioner James seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
OLD BUSINESS:
2ND READING AMENDMENT TO TRAFFIC SCHEDULE (Ordinance No. 921): Ordinance No. 921, Amending the Traffic Schedule was presented for 2nd reading. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to suspend discussion on Ordinance NO. 921. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion. The motion carried by all those present voting Yea. Commissioner Jordan then made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 921 Amending the Traffic Schedule. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. The motion carried by all those present voting Yea.
2ND READING ORDINANCE NO 923 VACATING PLATTED PULASKI STREET: Attorney Walden said all parties have agreed. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to suspend discussion on Ordinance No. 923, seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion carried by all those present voting Yea. Commissioner Jordan then made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 923, Vacating Pulaski Street. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. The motion carried by all those present voting Yea.
1st READING ORDINANCE NO. 922 REGULATING VIDEO GAMING: Attorney Walden said he has worked on the ordinance and encouraged all to look at it and give comment on the areas still highlighted in yellow. After discussion, Commissioner Jordan made a motion to table the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 922. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
UPDATES TO COVID SICK LEAVE POLICY: Mayor Thompson said he believes he misspoke concerning the COVID Sick Leave Policy. He said instead of following CDC guidelines, it should be the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines. He said the guidelines are ever changing. He again recommended to do away with the policy and follow the IDPH guidelines. Attorney Walden said he would recommend giving something to each employee and posting on the city’s Facebook page a link to the current guidelines. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to update the COVID Sick Leave Policy to reflect the IDPH guidelines. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
513 W NORTH STREET : Mayor Thompson reported he tried to call the person listed on the information presented by Tony and Sharon Butler. He said the owner’s name is Norman Richardson and they guy listed on information is not the owner, but someone trying to help out a friend. Attorney Walden said the situation becomes more difficult as the property will have a year with no taxes due.
REQUEST TO VACATE ALLEY IN BLOCK C HALLS ADDITION: There was nothing to discuss on this request.
WATER FILTRATION PLANT: Mayor Thompson said there is noting new at this time.
LEGAL NOTICES: After presentation of the information received concerning public notices, it was recommended the city use the Statewide Publishing, LLC for placement of public notices required by law. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to use Statewide Publishing, LLC for notice placement, seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
NEW BUSINESS:
ZONING PERMIT REQUEST 325 CAROTHERS STREET: Mayor Thompson said the request is for a camper currently located at our campground to be moved to 325 Carothers Street. He said the Ordinance allows travel trailers to have a temporary permit for non-residential to reside in a camper during construction. He said the permit fee is $75.00for six months and can be renewed. He said the lot they are hoping to use is in a mobile home district. The discussion concerning the current ordinance and the intent of the person requesting permit followed. Attorney Walden said as written, it would not be allowed. More discussion followed. Commissioner Baldwin made a motion to deny the Zoning Permit request, seconded by Commissioner James. Yeas: Commissioners Howell, James and Baldwin. Nays: Commissioners Jordan and Mayor Thompson. The motion to deny carried.
ETERNAL FLAME: Commissioner Baldwin updated the council on the status of the eternal flame. He said they are awaiting word on whether they can tap into the existing bulbs for the flag spotlights. He said those are currently wired into the 100 AMP box for the cemetery building. He said they will need to see if they can do this without a lot of
electrical work, He said at present they are looking at about $300.00 for the electric work, but if it becomes more, they may need to ask for assistance from the city.
GAS PIPE LOCATOR: Commissioner Baldwin said there are issues with the present locator and while it was submitted for the budget in the amount of $5,000.00, we can purchase one now for $4,059.95. He said the current one works, but not well. After discussion, Commissioner Jordan made a motion to purchase the gas locator for $4,059.95. Commissioner James seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
PARK RESTROOMS: Mayor Thompson said we received a call from someone wanting to donate $1,000.00 for portable toilets at the park. He said a quote from Stremme Septic out of Sumner IL would be for 32-week season starting March 15th and going to October 15th. The quote includes 1 handicapped accessible portable restroom, 2 regular portable restrooms and 2 hand washing stations. Mayor Thompson said these would be used instead of the ones at the ballfield which have a rotten roof. He said another area for the portable restroom would be near the tank. He said with the donation, the cost for the 32 weeks would be $3,080.00 and the company would service them once per week. Commissioner Baldwin said the lights in the park are not working and they would need to be working. After discussion, Commissioner Jordan made a motion to accept the quote from Stremme for the portable restrooms and handwashing stations. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
REQUEST FOR TREE REMOVAL ASSISTANCE: A request for assistance with tree removal was received from Brad Schroeder who contacted Ameren first, but they declined to assist with the removal. The tree is on the city right-of-way. After review of the tree, it had been determined it is a dead Ash tree and Mr. Schroeder would like to city to split the quoted cost of $1750.00. After discussion, Commissioner Jordan made a motion to split the cost of tree removal with Brad Schroeder. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
UTILITY METERS: Commissioner Jordan said there are approximately 100 meters in town that are still not reading and said he would like to have the utility clerk contact the service company to find out why these are not transmitting. After more discussion, Commissioner James made a motion to have the service company look at the utility meters not transmitting. Commissioner Jordan seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
ADJOURN: Since there was no further business to discuss, Commissioner Howell made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Jordan. The motion carried.
Approved: February 28, 2022
YEA
Mayor Thompson
YEA
Commissioner Baldwin
ABSENT
Commissioner Jordan
YEA ___________________
Commissioner Howell
YEA
Commissioner James
ATTEST:
City Clerk