Council Exec Session Longer Than Regular Meeting

After almost 90 minutes in Executive Session, the Grove City Council agreed Tuesday night to provide a two percent per year cost of living increase to the City Manager, as they had previously awarded the City Treasurer position, but took no action on pending lawsuits by Earl Shero and Dale Metcalf against the city. It was clear they also discussed a potential issue with the Highway 59 utility relocations (see GMSA story).

In other action, council members disagreed as to whether or not a bike path should have been added to 18th street as part of the new construction. City Manager Bill Galletly said the cost, $48,000, was covered in the original bid and came from construction savings and Council had previously indicated they wanted the path. It had been deleted from the original construction contract. Councilman Larry Parham said Council should have had the option of voting to restore it and Councilman Gary Bishop echoed "I would want to be notified as a courtesy." Councilman Dave Helms said "would you feel better if the people in wheelchairs called you?" referring to Parham. Galletly said the new road would open within a week.

Council also:
--turned down a request 5-0 to waive the fee schedule for the Grove Civic Center for a Church of God conference in October, with Parham saying "it is time to stop giving away the civic center." Last year only $14,500 in revenue was achieved, with expenses running more than $115,000 plus debt service.
--Set a meeting date of Aug. 7 for a joint workshop session with the Grove Planning & Zoning Board on changes in ordinances on off street parking and storage of trailers, boats and motor homes.
--Awarded a contract of $75,000 to Garver Engineering for design of the three-lane extension of Shundi Road from 9th street to 3rd street, on a vote of 5-0, with Parham stating "this should be delayed until the next city manager comes in." Audience members pointed out that the current two-lane road is dangerous and it "would be ludicrous not to finish the project with all that is going on out there."
--Galletly congratulated members of the Grove Police, EMS, Fire and others from Monkey Island, Bernice and Hickory Grove for their efforts in evacuating the Grove Nursing Center Tuesday after a power failure severely affected the 80 residents.
--Galletly also praised the work of volunteers, city staff, the casino and Patricia Island Golf Course for a great job in hosting some 60 city managers from around the state at this year's Summer Retreat. "The city managers and their families were very pleased with the way our staff handled it and they were shown what a great community we have."