The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stiller Withdraws From Race

by: Deb Olson, The Quill

Just before the end of the Monday, February 27, 2017 La Harpe City Council meeting prior to public comments Alderman Marcia Stiller announced she is withdrawing her name from write-in candidacy for re-election to the council

The meeting began with the announcement that City Attorney Diane Diestler needed to leave early so the regular agenda order was suspended in order for the council to deal with Old and New Business items before her departure. She left just before the mayor gave his report on the state of the city.

Mayor Ryan Kienast presented a report on the state of the city. He noted that several good things had occurred for the City of La Harpe in 2016. Here are the points he touched on in his report:

• Two grants were funded through WIRC. The first is a CGBD rehab grant which runs from January 2017 through December 2018. It covers the rehab of homes.
• The second grant is for the southwest water main replacement project which runs from August 2016 to July 2018. McClure Engineering is the project manager and the bid for work went to Lavadiere at a cost of $210,000.
• The council ordered an evaluation of the city waterworks system after notification of IEPA violations. This is being monitored by the city engineer.
• The council is in the process of updating the City Code. This has not been done since 1992. The city attorney is helping with this so a revised draft can be turned into the code company by April 3.
• A records inventory is being conducted as required by the state of Illinois. The last one was done in 1977. City employees have been reminded that city records cannot be destroyed without permission of the state.
• A water billing ordinance was amended, new water service applications prepared and First State Bank will assist with collections.
• The council authorized the purchase of a new police vehicle.
• Memorial money located in the treasurer s office was deposited in the bank.
• Records were collected from Dr. Covington s office and will be transfered to the proper entity.
• A culvert and wall were replaced.
• The city is in the process of addressing neglected properties by identifying legal owners and preparing to take legal action if violations are not addressed.
• Several cemetery issues are being addressed including ownership of the mausoleum and cemetery boundaries. These issues are in the process of being resolved.
• Reservoir wiring has been updated for campers so they will have enough power.

The mayor said that while officials may have differences they still managed to get things done.

After delivering his report the mayor told Mike Bennett that he could be in charge of the rest of the meeting and Kienast abruptly left at 7:55 p.m. The City Attorney had left at 7:50 p.m.

Darrell Kraft was then appointed temporary chair to finish conducting the meeting.

IEPA violations were discussed. Council members noted that at a meeting last Thursday it was decided to work with the IEPA to resolve violation issues rather than avoiding them and being penalized any further.

In Other Business:

• The council voted to approve the treasurer s report and paying of bills. There was again discussion regarding use of a local business to prepare financials.
• Also questioned was whether the City Attorney had submitted any more bills. Alderman Wisslead responded that only August s bill had been received. He was asked the amount of the bill, which is $2,762.50. It has been paid. It was also announced that the city attorney had submitted a resignation by e-mail just prior to the meeting. The effective date is March 31.
• It was reported that letters had not been sent out asking for residents to clean up dilapidated properties.
• The City Attorney noted that it is first necessary for someone to make sure that street addresses coincide with the legal description of the property.
• Clerk Lucretia McPeak offered to look these up at the Court House in Carthage.
• The council voted to compensate the ESDA representative Max Owsley at the rate of $100 per month plus mileage for attending ESDA meetings as the city s representative.
• The council determined to keep the 6 month requirement for a new employee to re-locate in the La Harpe area. The council noted that Ben Diewold of Burlington had been offered a position with the city and had accepted.
• The council approved spending up to $5000 on a four inch meter, meter pit and a 12 inch duct bill which will meet IEPA approval for the water plant.

The following agenda items were tabled:

• Appointment of alderman to fill vacant spots.
• Budget planning for fiscal year 2017 - 2018
• Discussion of purchase of a dock for the reservoir

It was also decided to withdraw further discussion of whether there should be consideration of an appointed treasurer versus an elected one.

Since a write-in candidate is running for the office of treasurer it was agreed that this should not be considered at this time.

Monalisa Graves asked the council for help responding to an email request she has received from the state requesting a detailed report about water department finances from May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016.

She notes that she does not have access to many of the figures needed to respond to the request. Alderman Bennett responded that the council would help her get access to the needed information. The report is due April 15.

Public Comment

Dave Clover again provided a packet of information for consideration. He questioned the hiring of someone who lives outside the city and has fewer qualifications for the job than current employee David Little of La Harpe, plus paying them $8000 more.

He questioned decisions regarding the negotiation between the city attorney and the mayor regarding the mayor s water bill and made a FOIA request for settlement details.

Clerk Lucretia McPeak has not been able to answer the request as no settlement has been reached.

Clover questioned the City Attorney s advice on public funds, property or credit, and official misconduct, and her responses to his question as to whether the mayor can appoint someone to a seat that has been vacant for more than 60 days.

He questioned statements released to WGEM regarding the mayor s arrest on official misconduct, as well as Kienast's statements about prosecution of previous city officials for what he sees as the same conduct. He further asked about the water billing situation and ended his comment by wondering why former City Treasurer Marcia Neff was never thanked for her 17 years of service to the city. Clover noted, Mayor Kienast did not include the 10 resignations and 2 firings that occurred in 2016 in his state of the city report.

Chad Burt questioned a statement from a previous meeting that "work for the city under $20,000 does not require more than one bid". He requested clarification of this.

At the end of the meeting, Alderman Wisslead stated.  People say they don t want to serve with Mayor Kienast. And yet this is exactly the time for people to step forward.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 20 at 7 p.m.