The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
The La Harpe City Council met for their regular meeting February 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Motions were made and carried to approve and accept the January minutes, with corrections brought up by Darrell Kraft where the city "will not maintain anything beyond the meter," and to accept the treasurer's report, and to pay all bills.
Council members voted to approve the process of applying for a PPG grant for a study for the Sanitary Sewer Collection that was suggested by McClure Engineer Eric Moe, due to the EPA's concerns about overflow issues at the Archer Street lift station. Six overflows were reported in the past, three in 2010
"EPA thinks you need to be moving forward on addressing the issue," Moe said who had prepared papers to sign to apply for help through a preliminary grant program that has matching funds available on a 75/25 scale.
The study will find out what we can do to make improvements to the System, Moe said.
Moe explained that the sewer system was put in in the 60s and he didn't think the clay pipes would be leaking, but suspects maybe flow is coming in. He said a smoke system when it is dry and a televising system when it is wet should find the problem.
Moe said they didn't want to wait until problems are found that cause EPA putting them on restricted status.
"If we can make it manageable so we don't have any more overflows, that would be the goal," Moe told the board.
Moe said they would be looking at all the city's financials to assure there is funds to pay for their 25% of the study cost.
Marsha Neff, Treasurer, said the bond construction is paid off and that the water fund is not doing the greatest but the sewer fund is okay.
Moe suggested in preparing their balance sheets and financials they also make a list of their needs such as the water tower painting that is coming up and improvements on the south side of town, etc.
In other business, the board voted to:
February 24th, at 4:00 p.m. the Mayor and Treasurer will meet with the Glacial Energy Representative to go over the city's Glacial Energy bills.
It looks like street lights were costing $100 less a month.
Summerfest dates are August 10-13th.
The next selling date for TV stickers will be Friday, February 25th , from 3-4 p.m. at City Hall.
Mayor Brown contacted IDOT concerning the new signs for the city. The GPS study is completed, and the signs will be issued to the city.
Hancock County has been put on the Disaster status for the heavy snow and the city will turn in cost figures for some help on snow removal.
There has been no communication from the Bio-diesel since the last meeting and it is reported that the project is still an ongoing project.
Regular meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
The next scheduled regular council meeting will be February 21, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Aldermen present: Todd Irish, Brian Lovell, Marcia Stiller, Michael Bennett, Vicki Burford, Darrell Kraft, Treasurer-Marcia Neff, City Clerk-Lucretia McPeak, and Mayor-Kenneth Brown.
Also present were: Dan Gillett, Eric Moe, Dean Spangler, David Little, Wayne Humphrey, Tim Graves, Richard Rasmussen, Dessa Rodeffer, Willo Carpenter, Daniel Carpenter, and Doug Endres.