The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

La Harpe Council Dismisses Dittmer, Hires New Counselor

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher

Monday, April 25

After an executive session was called at 7:05 and lasted until 7:53 p.m., to discuss the hiring of legal counsel, the members of La Harpe City Council returned into session then announced the resignation of City Attorney Dittmer and approved a motion to accept his resignation.

Council member Darrell Kraft talked about the background of Attorney Diane Bartus Diestler of Blandinsville who was present at the meeting and her experiences as several villages attorney.

With a motion by Kraft, a second by Stiller and an unanimous vote by the board, Diane Diestler was appointed as new city attorney.

In this, they also accepted her fee agreement of $125 an hour with a 4 hour limit per month, unless there is special requests or ordinance resolutions needed.

The board said that Kurt Dittmer has agreed to continue on as the farm manager, which is separate from City Attorney, and he had indicated that his appointment was through 2017.

After discussion, Kraft made the motion to retain Dittmer as Johnson Farm Manager per prior agreement until February 2017. Foster seconded the motion. It carried unanimously.

In other business, council:

• renewed the city liquor licenses for Casey's General Store, RB's Pitstop, and R&M Market & Floral.
• discussed water issues and was told by Attorney Diestler that the Council needs to be sure information gets communicated to the certified water operator for reports and that the water safety is a definite issue.
• discussed the agreement with the interim water operator and that it needs to be looked into as well as the bills presented and decided how to compensate him.
• heard requests by Humphrey for a culvert for a resident; and by Foster for increase in base pay for their longest city deputy on staff with possible increased retirement benefit will be put on the next agenda.
• heard that the issue with the building owned by Tyler Ferguson next to Wood Tax and Accounting has been settled between the owners.
• heard Kraft report on band shelter in city park, saying it was suggested to put a free standing cover over the stage measuring 36' by 42' so the deteriorating base could be replaced in the future without disturbing the proposed new roof.
• heard a floating dock and a stationary dock are planned for the Reservoir with funds received and Kraft will obtain bids for both for the next meeting.
• heard Humphrey purchased a leaf blower
• heard Josiah Neff question Stiller about the water/sewer audit on exactly what it was for. He thought it was to to do with the efficiency of the water/sewer plant, not the billings. She explained it was to audit each of the billings, deposits, and expenses. Attorney Diestler suggested inviting the auditor to the meeting to explain what they are doing and what they have found.
• heard City Wide Cleanup is May 27th

PUBLIC COMMENT

• Dave Clover asked who owned the land between the road and the sidewalks.
• Elaine Hrabal of "Love La Harpe," said the Farmers Market begins on May 10th late afternoon, and asked about hanging a banner across the city street and was told to check with the state highway department.
• Brian Covert asked Mayor Kienast if he was going to pay his back water bills from last June through November. He also asked for an apology for being thrown out of the meeting two meetings ago when he said he didn't violate any of the open meeting acts. The Mayor said he would think about it.
• Richard Wood thanked Justin Livingston and the council members who helped with his building issue.
• Dallas Neff inquired about the interim water operator and if any neighboring towns had been asked if they had a class A operator.
• Gary Jackson addressed the crowd after Neff was cut off for time and said they need to do what is right and earn respect and reminded them they were elected by the people to work for them.
• Lacie Thompson asked the council to each take 15 minutes and talk to the city attorney about having the Mayor resign.
• Kraft questioned the Mayor about the paper he had signed with the Interim where it said the "Macomb Water Company" which he thought was wrong.
• Delbrt Kreps asked Mayor Kienast if he had paid his water bills from last June to November, and did he pay the lower amount or the amount owed. The Mayor said, his water bills had been paid. Delbert thanked the council for the potholes that had been filled. He also asked when the city was going to work on the streets.
• Water Employee Tim Graves responded about the article of La Harpe water issues that was in The Hawk E'ye and gave some of his points.

He said Thomas with W.L. Miller came to the water plant for 3 days. He said a key had been taken from the water plant in town and equipment had been tampered with at the reservior water plant.

He said a customer had subtracted money off their water bill for garbage that wasn't picked up for 1 week.

He read some of the emails he had received from interim Brian McIlhenny.

He wanted it put on the next agenda to compensate Marte McKee for trying to get rid of the beavers at the reservior.

He asked that it be put on the agenda about individuals filling swimming pools.

He asked why a customer owing over $160 wasn't put on the shut-off list and now they have left town owing over $200. Stiller said she would look into it.

He reported about the hydrants that are being flushed and that the reservoir is down 7 inches and he forsees a drought come July.

He said his name was taken off the EPA list, and David Little put on as a sampler for EPA who doesn't even have a license!

He asked Mayor Kienast what he was and was told he was a water operator. Graves announced that if he was only a water operator (instead of Water Superintendent) then he would not be responsible if things go awry.

Graves also questioned items being taken off the agenda. Attorney Diestler said one person is usually in charge of the agenda and in this case it is Lucretia McPeak, the Clerk who works with the Mayor.

Attorney Diestler said she would look over ordinances and past minutes and find the timeline of when things happend regarding Tim Graves and the appointment of the interim and if things were improperly done, "We'll correct them," she told Graves.

After discussion about a couple items purchased in the water department, Graves said the Interim told him to purchase the item. "He even told me to get a second one for a spare (which Graves hasn't done).

Mershon made the motion to pay all bills and Palmer seconded the motion. Motion unanimously passed.

The meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.

Several went to greet the new attorney.

Answering roll call were: Amy Palmer, Dave Mershon, Marcia Stiller, Kenneth Foster, Josiah Neff, Darrell, Treasurer- Marcia Neff, City Clerk- Lucretia, and Mayor Ryan Kienast.

Also present were: Tim Graves, Monalisa Graves, Dean Spangler, Justin Livingston, a Hancock County Sheriff, Elaine Hrabal, Marlie Burt, Chad Burt, Cassidy Burt, Gary Jackson, Carol Stevens, Todd Stevens, Heather Maynard, Amber Pence, Niki Maske, Bette June Mapes, Connie Williams, Larry Williams, Sonja Strange, Barb Oliver, Kevin Oliver, Tiffany Foster, Larry Pooger, Linda Kosifas, Mark Kosifas, Brian Covert, Lacey Covert, Bev Anderson, Paul Anderson, Wayne Yetter, Rex Stewart, Barb Stewart, Lacie Thompson, Bart Thompson, Peg Webster, Dan Gillett, Delbert Kreps, Dave Clover, Ed Pence, Ken Brown, Jason Graves, Mark Stokke, Shirlene Jones, Shelby Jones, Terry Jones, Barry Wright, Diane Diestler, Barbara Louden, John Louden, Richard Wood, Ted Shutwell, Larry Hobby, Bill Burt, Jay Lebeck, Lee Witte, Megan McNeill, Dessa Rodeffer, and those who refused to sign in.