La Harpe City Council

La  Harpe Council To Discuss Sewer Plant Project and Rate Increase; Edwards Made Full-Time Police Chief 

By Dessa Rodeffer, Quill President/Owner 

(from unapproved minutes of Lucretia McPeak)

At the La Harpe City Council meeting May 11 with all members present, there was a discussion on grants for the Sewer project with Doug Erickson of Benton Engineering during a Finance Committee Report.  On the agenda for June 8th, there will be discussion on the Sewer Plant Project and Rate Increase. Also on the June agenda there will be discussion and action on Smoke Testing on sewer lines.

Public Properties

 In the public properties report it was noted that the burnt house on East Main Street has been torn down.

Public Safety

In the Public Safety report it was noted the court date for the old flower shop on Main Street was last week.

The Council also heard there are grants available for tearing down dilapidated buildings. The deadline for writing grants is August 27.

City Clerk McPeak reminded the council there was only 1 meeting in May, due to Memorial Day. It will be on the Monday, June 8th agenda to discuss and take action to approve the Budget.

Other Reports and Business

Trevor Finch reported on problems with the backhoe. He also reported they will be ordering cold patch.

Tim Edwards went over his police report.

Tanner Smith will be on his own beginning June 1st.

Tanner Smith reported on the Durango. He checked into prices for 2 front tires for $700.00, and 4 tires for $1,000.00. It will need tires by the end of summer.

The radiator fan and motor fan doesn’t always work. It is at the “Fix It” shop now. He will get more quotes for the next meeting.

Time-off updates were gone over.

Tim Edwards Made Full-Time Police Chief

-Shumaker made the motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Tim Edwards as Full time Police Chief for the City of La Harpe at a salary of $68,500.00 yearly exempt. Lenix seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hasten-Reed then swore in Tim Edwards as Full time Police Chief for the City of La Harpe.

Other Old Business -  For Discussion Only:

The Durango tires were discussed. It will be on the next agenda to discuss and take action on tires for the Durango.

Scooters in town were discussed.

David Little would like to replace a partial sidewalk. It was discussed whether the City employees could pour the sidewalk. It will be on the next agenda to discuss and take action to allow the City employees to pour concrete for this.

Other New Business - For Discussion Only:

There is a house in town with weeds and trees grown around it.

Lance Adkisson would like to put a French drain in his ditch. This will be checked to see if it interferes with any City sewer or drainage lines.

Treasurer Graves reported on 2 items not on the Treasurer’s list- Menard’s- $95.98, and Victory Signs (Police car) - $400.00.

Mayor Hasten-Reed passed around a Public Proclamation letter re: Boy Scouts of America.

The April council minutes and Treasurer’s Report were approved unanimously. 

There was no Public comment.

Those answering roll call at 7:00 p.m. were Council members: Dave Clover, Jeff McDowell, Marvin Miller, Randy Shumaker, Todd Stevens, and Jim Lenix, Treasurer-Monalisa Graves, and City Clerk-Lucretia McPeak, and Mayor Katherine Hasten-Reed. 

Also present: Tim Graves, Dan Gillett, Tim Edwards, Tanner Smith, John Quigle, Vivalda Roberts, Brenda Coulter, Jeanette Ford, Doug Erickson, Daniel Carpenter, Ryan Porter, Darrell Kraft, Trevor Finch, and Macy Smith.

Everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The regular council meeting adjourned at 8:34 pm. The next meeting is Monday, June 8th at 7 p.m.