The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Deb Olson, The Quill
The previously scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting of the La Harpe City Council on Monday, October 10, 2016 at the Senior Center was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum.
Aldermen Daryl Kraft, Mike Bennett, and Greg Wisslead were present, and prepared for the meeting, however, Aldermen Kenny Foster, Dave Mershon and Marcia Stiller, as well as Mayor Ryan Kienast were all absent.
At 7:08 p.m. City Clerk Lucretia McPeak announced that no meeting would take place as the number of aldermen present did not constitute a quorum. Four board members must be present to hold the meeting. Without the quorum Kraft, Bennett and Wisslead could not discuss or comment on agenda items or policy.
Unhappy residents expressed their frustration and displeasure with the situation.
Questions were asked regarding any requirements for board members attendance at board meetings. Many felt that if council members did not want to attend the meetings they should not have run for office. Others expressed the opinion that if residents cared enough to come to the meetings that elected officials should be there too.
Other questions involved the location of the meeting. The upper room at city hall is too small to accommodate meetings and the steps make it difficult for some to attend. Support was expressed for meetings to be held at the Community Clubhouse.
Topics listed on the agenda for the cancelled meeting included:
The next meeting, a regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 24th. No location for the meeting has been announced at this time.