La Harpe City Council

La Harpe Approves Logging of Trees Near Reservoir; Carnegie Library Seeks City Help for $34K Windows

By Michael Rodeffer, Quill Reporter

La Harpe City Council met at the La Harpe Clubhouse at 7 p.m. on February 23rd.  With the absence of Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed, the council unanimously approved Randy Shumaker as the Mayor-pro-tem.

There was discussion on allowing Tanner Smith to take a city police car to the training school in the future.  The council unanimously approved Tanner Smith to take the police car the last two weeks of training and to pay mileage to Smith the rest of the weeks of school if he drives his personal vehicle.  

Council unanimously approved Matt Dixon to log trees on city property near the reservoir.

Council discussed repairs needed on the 2016 Ford Explorer police car and decided to table the issue until the next meeting. (Note: a special meeting was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on March 4 to discuss and take action on the purchase of a Ford Explorer police squad vehicle.)

Council unanimously approved accepting the treasurers report and paying of the bills.

Public Comment:

Vivaldi Roberts informed the council that the Carnegie Public Library was needing new windows which would cost approximately $34,000.  Roberts asked if the City would be able or willing to donate anything towards the windows.  Council acknowledged they would look into the matter.

Josh Smith introduced himself to the Council and audience and stated he was a Republican candidate of Hancock County Sheriff in the March 17th primary.  

Smith noted he had been a Deputy for over 20 years and a local resident of the area all his life.  Smith stated he would visit and answer questions after the meeting.

Council entered executive session at 7:54 p.m.

Those in attendance were Council members Randy Shumaker, Todd Stevens, Jim Lenix, Dave Clover, Jeff McDowell, Marvin Miller; City Treasurer Monalisa Graves; City Clerk Lucretia McPeak; city employees Trevor Finch, Tim Graves; Interim City Police Chief Tim Edwards; and guests Josh Smith, Patty Irish, Vivaldi Roberts, Brenda Coulter, John Quigle, Greg Wisslead, Jeanette Ford, Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer.