The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Council Raises Water Rates; Allows ATVs on City Streets

By: Mike Rodeffer, The Quill

The La Harpe City Council met on April 23rd, and approved an ordinance to change the water rates as of May 1st. Minimum water rates will raise just over $5 for the first thousand gallon. The first bill to come out with the increase will be in June for May usage.

The council voted 5-1 to hire Mike's Landscaping & Tree Service to cut down 3 trees at the cemetery for $1100. Clean-up will be done by the city employees. Dave Clover was the one dissenting vote.

The council also approved the purchase of polymer and copper sulfate at a cost of $1570 for the water plant.

Brian Covert said mowing at the cemetery should start this week.

Tim Graves informed the council there are bag worms on some trees in the park that should be sprayed. Graves also asked about a porta-potty for the reservoir. City Clerk Lucretia McPeak reminded the council that May 11th is city wide clean-up day.

In other action the council approved:

• the council discussed rules and regulations to allow ATV's on city streets
• ordinance to buy property, if needed, for location of lift station or wells for the water project
• the sale of obsolete items of city property
• The council discussed rates for fines at the burn pile with no action taken at this time.
• the treasurer's report and paying of bills

Present were Councilmen Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Brian Covert, Dave Clover, Jerry Burford, Ryan Olson, Mayor Kat Hasten Reed, Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Treasurer Maggie Link, Attorney Chris Scholz, employees, Tim Graves, Monalisa Graves, Trevor Finch, Police Chief Larry Finch, Marli Burt, IMEG Engineer and representative Eric Moe and Ben, and visitors Chad Burt, Richard Wood, Dan Gillett, and Mike Rodeffer.