The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
La Harpe Council Appoints Finch, Full-time Police Chief
by Mike Rodeffer, The Quill
The La Harpe City Council went into executive session at the end of their April 8th regular meeting at 7:55 p.m. Upon exiting the executive session and returning to the regular meeting at 8:30 p.m., the council unanimously approved offering interim Police Chief Larry Finch a salaried position of $40,000.00 per year, with 10 days vacation time already accrued. Finch had previously been working on an hourly base. Upon Finch accepting the proposal, Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed appointed Finch as the full-time Police Chief.
Councilman Randy Shumaker reported supplies are coming in to start the water project. A big pile of gravel and sand has been delivered and several pipes and mains have been delivered.
Councilman Brian Covert reported Country Financial agent Ryan Johnson announced that Country Financial will be donating $1500 to the city for a laptop.
Employee Tim Graves said he had talked with Laverdiere Repo and they should soon be starting on the water project. Graves said it would probably be next week.
Employee David Little reported the Rock Bottom Drainage Area on North 6th St. was repaired and just needed to fill around it with rock.
Employee interim Police Chief Larry Finch said the white squad car would need some extra wiring when the camera was being installed. Several bare wires were found under the hood which would need repaired.
City Treasurer Maggie Link reported she had talked to a lady regarding PTJ reimbursement for police training for Ben and Marli and the city would be able to be reimbursed for both of them for training, but it wouldn't be available until after August. Mileage will not be reimbursed.
Link also said funding had been sent to the city 2 weeks ago which was awesome and that all accounts had been reimbursed. Link also said she had received a letter from quickbooks and the city needs to update by May 31st, 2019. The cost would be $219.00.
Eric Moe of IMEG reported they are reviewing a lot of shop drawings from contractors that are being submitted. Moe said a few are being approved, but some of them are in need of adjustments.
Councilman David Clover reported the CD, which is in the amount of $47861.52, for water tower maintenance matures April 14th. The CD is at Fortress bank and they offered to renew at 1.05% interest. Clover reported Raritan State Bank would offer 2.3% interest for any amount between $40,000 and $50,000 and $50,000 or more, the rate would increase to 2.4%
The council voted to take the CD amount and add $2139.48 to it to make $50,000 and get a CD from Raritan State Bank.
In other action, the council also approved:
Those in attendance were: Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed, Council members David Clover, Jerry Burford, Kelly Harkey, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, and Brian Covert, Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Treasurer Maggie Link, Attorney Chris Scholz, Employees Larry Finch, David Little, Tim Graves, ESDA Rep Max Owsley, Justin Livingston, IMEG Rep Eric Moe, Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer.
La Harpe Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed stands with newly appointed Police Chief for La Harpe, Larry Finch