The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Christy Kienast, The Quill
La Harpe City council met on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Dan Gillett gave an update from the Economic Development meeting. Their speaker for the meeting was Kim Pierce from MAEDCO of Macomb. Gillett said Hancock County lost 5.5% of their population and the under age 18 population dropped by 21%. In the last 10 years, the median household wage income rose from $37,000 to $45,000.
The Economic Summit will be a one day meeting on March 31st. The county needs more people to attend the summit who want to help Hancock county grow. The location of the meeting will depend on how many people plan on attending and will be determined in the future. Anyone interested or knows of someone they think would be good for this, contact Dan Gillett or Mayor Ken Brown.
Christy Fox addressed the council about the property she recently bought at 306 North A St. The city has an easement on the ditch and she would like to see a tile ran through this and it filled in. The area collects trash and would look much nicer, if cleaned up and filled in. City employee Wayne Humphrey got an estimate and a supply list for the project and it will cost approx. $4300. The council put this on the agenda for the next city council meeting.
The water plant employees are having trouble keeping the turbidity in the water levels stable. George McClure said the filter media needs replaced. The filter media usually lasts up to 10 years and this one is 17 years old. It will be replaced on Wednesday, November 30.
There are two trees rotting at the corner of Archer and Center street. City employee Wayne Humphrey got an estimate from Chris Akers for $825 for complete removal, clean up and hauling of the trees. The motion was passed for this to take place.
The motion was passed to buy the 2012 Dodge police truck for $23,797. A motion was also passed to call off the 2nd of meeting of December for Christmas break.
The council was pleased that they have gotten 4 or 5 bids for the cemetery and park mowing. Bids will be opened on December 12th at 6:30 p.m. before the next council meeting.
The contract has been sent to the county for the bridge inspection. This will cost $200 every 2 years.
The owner of the falling Time and Chime building, Lucretia McPeak is waiting to get the number for a demolition contractor to see what he believes needs to be done with the building. .
All members of the council were present with the exception of Mayor Ken Brown and council woman Vicki Burford. Brian Lovell was motioned in as Mayor Pro Tem in Brown's absence at the beginning of the meeting.
The next meeting of the La Harpe City council will be Monday, December 12th.