The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Christy Kienast, For The Quill
It was reported that Jerry Brown District Fire Marshall has ordered a "No Burn" policy for the fire district until further notice.
The La Harpe City Council adopted the "no burn" policy on behalf of Hancock County on behalf of Mr. Brown.
This and other reports occurred at the regular La Harpe City Council meeting Monday, October 10th at 7:00 p.m. held at the La Harpe City Hall.
Police Chief Justin Livingston had the police cruiser in for more work. Mayor Brown asked the council to come back at the next meeting with a solution for this problem, either to replace the transmission in the aging cruiser or to get a new police car. It was discussed how the 2005 Chevrolet Impala has well over 130,000 miles but they are all city miles, so it has a lot more wear and tear on it.
La Harpe City resident Chuck Cecil asked the council to look into helping him get his drivers' license back. Cecil's license was revoked after a city police officer sent in a request to have him evaluated. It is then up to the Secretary of States' office to pull the license. Cecil said he has had to have a physician write a letter twice and has been released to get his license back by his physician. Cecil states he has never had an epileptic seizure while driving, and that he can feel one coming on and he pulls over to the side of the road. Mayor Brown asked Cecil to confer with him at the end of the month if he has not heard anything from the state.
Bill McKeown proposed to the city, on behalf of Country Cafe restaurant owner Rebecca Quivey, to be able to add an entrance door to the front of her restaurant. The structure would extend 16 inches onto the city sidewalk. It is needed to help with the heating costs of the building, and block cold air from coming in on the front tables of the restaurant which without, is very cold for patrons. The council approved the request.
It was reported that the water plant is in need of a new processor.
The City Council made amendments to the contracts for mowing the La Harpe City Park and City Cemetery.
Cleaning and trimming around Veterans Memorial is now included, although if some group or person comes along that would rather do it, that would be fine. The contract will be in effect from April 1st to October 31st.
All mowing is to be done before all special holidays or events. Trimming is to be done no less than 2 times per month/or grass and weeds is to be no taller than 4 inches. Weed removal under and around trees will be taken care of under the contract as well.
In the city cemetery contract, mowing as needed will be done, especially around the holidays, not just Memorial Day. Grass is to be no taller than 4 inches, and include trimming. This contract will run from April 1st to October 31st as well. Also, the removal of old and dead flowers and dead grass was added to the contract. Aldermen approved the new bid specs.
Mayor Brown received a call from the Hancock County Treasurers' Office notifying the city that the four story building on the east side of the park is up for tax sale.
In lighter news, La Harpe's Trick or Treat Night has been set for Monday, October 31st, 5-7 p.m. Residents are asked to please turn on their porch lights to greet trick or treaters.
The meetiong adjourned at 8:09 p.m. until the next scheduled meeting to be October 24 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
All Council members (Todd Irish, Brian Lovell, Marcia Stiller, Michael Bennett, Vicki Burford, Darrell Kraft, Treasurer-Marcia Neff, City Clerk-Lucretia McPeak, and Mayor-Kenneth Brown) were present as well as city employees:
David Little, Willo Carpenter, Daniel Carpenter, Police Chief Justin Livingston,
La Harpe City Attorney Dick Rasmussen, and guests: Dan Gillett, Bill McKeown, Chuck Cecil, and Doug Endres, and Christy Kienast.