The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Michael Rodeffer - The Quill
During Monday's La Harpe Council meeting, August 26th, La Harpe Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed appointed Monalisa Graves as the new treasurer effective September 1. The council unanimously approved the mayor's appointment. Graves was to take over treasurer duties on September 1st from the present city treasurer Maggie Link. Link will help train Graves at a cost of $20 an hour. In addition to the treasurer's job, Graves also works for the city by doing the billing for the city's water.
Graves was sworn in by City Clerk Lucretia McPeak.
Council member Randy Shumaker informed the council that he had been in contact with Jackson Disposal and the fall clean-up date will be on Friday, October 18th.
Megan Crook, engineer with IMEG, informed the council that the new water plant building had been cleaned of the dirt and soot that occurred during the well drilling operation.
Crook also said the first well had been tested and that the quantity of water was very good and they were just waiting on results as to the quality of the water.
Police Officer Marli Burt told the council she was going to be in the schools to provide a positive environment and get kids familiar with her and law enforcement. She said she would probably do this a couple times a week. Burt also said they have some training and drills set up next month in the schools and the nursing home so not to be alarmed if you see several police cars at these sights.
Police Chief Larry Finch informed the council that there have been more campers at the reservoir since it has cooled down. Finch also said the police department had a few bicycles which had been left around town if anyone was missing one.
One of the change orders discussed was a cost of an extra $7000 to paint the water tower. The reason for the extra money was for two different colors with purple at the bottom and top and gold in the middle. IMEG representative Megan Crook said it would take extra labor to mask the tower off twice whereas painting it one color would not require that. Dave Clover disagreed and said he didn't want to spend the extra $7000 for the two paint scheme. Clover said he felt that money could be spent better somewhere else. A motion was made to approve the two paint scheme for the tower at an additional cost of $7000. Motion passed 5-1 with Clover voting no.
The council unanimously approved the following:
The council also discussed updating the personnel policy to allow full time city employees one year to use comp time or possibly use the time up in the calendar year. It was brought up that comp time earned at the end of the year might not allow an employee enough days to use their time. The council decided to consider more options before acting on this.
Other items discussed were a septic tank issue at Timberview Addition, sidewalk concerns and property which will be affected when a shroud is put over the water tower when sandblasting and painting occur.
The council adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
Those attending were council members-Kelly Harkey, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Brian Covert, Dave Clover, Jerry Burford; Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed, Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Treasurer Maggie Link, Attorney Chris Scholz, employees-Marlie Burt, Tim Graves, Monalisa Graves, Trevor Finch, Lynn Hoyt, Police Chief Larry Finch; IMEG representative Megan Crook; Dan Gillett, and Michael Rodeffer.
Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed with newly appointed Treasurer for La Harpe Monalisa Graves.