The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
The La Harpe Mayor has Resigned.
A letter was received by the council from Mayor Ryan Kienast giving his resignation notice dated, May 22, 2017.
Kienast was absent from the May 22nd meeting Monday evening and in his absence a motion was approved for Trustee Katherine Hasten to be Mayor Pro Tem.
City Clerk Lucretia McPeak acknowledged Marcia Neff for her 17 years of Outstanding Professionalism as the La Harpe City Treasurer. On behalf of the Clerk, the City Council, and the Community, she was presented with a gift of Appreciation for her work and contribution to the city.
City employee Tim Graves informed the Council that on May 31st, next Wednesday, that the entire town would be WITHOUT WATER for 4 to 6 hours for the purpose of replacing some valves that no longer worked in the water lines.
Graves noted that the water probably would be shut off around 6 A.M. to 7 A.M. and wanted the public to be aware of this.
Graves also told the Council that the mowing is getting caught up, and also mentioned that the water plant is up and running with only a few minor problems.
City Water Operator Dennis Rankin stated that "Tim is doing a good job getting things up and going."
Council also approved:
The Council entered Executive Session at 9:54 p.m. to discuss correspondence between Brian McElhinney and City Attorney Scholz. They reentered regular session at 10:18 p.m.
McElhinney had submitted a bill for the first month for $5,000 plus 24 hours of work on April 8th and 9th and other dates up to May 14th for the sum of approximately $7400.
He had offered to settle for the $5,000 he had been given up front by Mayor Kienast and Marcia Stiller back in early April. His agreement with Kienast and Stiller was NOT approved at the following council meeting three days later.
Following Executive Session, the council authorized attorney Scholz in a unanimous vote to send a counter proposal to Mr. McElhinney with the possibility of legal action.
The council was trying to recoup part of the $5,000 given to McElhinney up front by former Mayor Kienast.
They adjourned at 10:20 p.m. until the next regular meeting on Monday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at the City Hall.
Around 25 were present plus the full council of Hasten, Clover, Shumaker, Covert, the Clerk, and the Treasurer.
Discussion included: filling the Mayor's position, former attorney Diestler's bills, hiring a city employee, and a new front door at City Hall.
They also approved a resolution regarding cities financial matters and they amended an Ordinance 2017-2 about water deposits, approved Ordinance 2017-3 pertaining to 32.01 employees generally, of Chapter 32-City Employees of the City of La Harpe. They also approved Resolution 2017-M on personnel policies. No details were given on the above.
Marcia Neff honored for 17 years of Outstanding Professionalism