The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
The La Harpe City Council met at 6 p.m. on August 24th ahead of their regularly scheduled council meeting at 7 p.m.
The 6 p.m. meeting was a joint committee meeting of the whole council to discuss projects that could be done with contingency funds. The contingency money is the portion of money from the USDA grant that has not been spent yet. According to IMEG representative Megan Crook, there is still approximately $284,000 which could be spent on water projects in town. Any unused grant money would be returned to the USDA.
The committee prioritized 6 items that they would like to spend the money on. First on the list was to redo the water line that extends out of town on "C" street. The approximate cost for this project would be $80,400. Second on the list was to update the water meters so that they could be read by a phone or laptop by just driving near them. Approximate cost of the meters and software would be $140,000. Third on the list was to clean the inside of the water tower at a cost of about $2700. Fourth on the list was a mixer for the water tower to help circulate the water. Approximate cost of the mixer was $25,000. Fifth on the list was a hydrant flusher which would hook onto a pickup and shoot the water down. Hydrants that are flushed need to be fully turned on and this would allow for better flushing of hydrants. Approximate cost was $2000. A sixth item to be done if money was still available was to eliminate the dead end water pipe on Scott Avenue and hook it into a line at Park Lane. No cost estimate had been figured yet on this.
Committee meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. Present at the committee meeting were council members Jerry Burford, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Kelly Harkey, Dave Clover and Brian Covert, Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Treasurer Monalisa Graves, Water Superintendent Tim Graves, IMEG representative Megan Clark, Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer.
Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
La Harpe- Since Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed was absent, Randy Shumaker was approved to act as Mayor pro tempore.
The La Harpe City Council approved the garbage collection contract with Jackson Disposal. The only change in their contract will be a 6% cost increase. Because of that increase, the council approved a rate increase of $.90 on water bills from $15.60 to $16.50 per month.
The council also approved the list of items recommended from the committee meeting to spend contingency money for.
The council was asked by La Harpe School Board member Dustin Detherage whether the city had any interest in an Intergovernmental Agreement with the La Harpe School District. Detherage said there could be times when the school could use city help if available. Detherage said if the city wanted paid for services that could probably be arranged. The discussion ranged from labor to insurance to workman compensation. It was decided to table the matter until more specific details could be put together. City Attorney Chris Scholz stated Intergovernmental Agreements can be good and the simpler the better.
Clover brought up an issue with the Park District water bill. There was a water leak which was not detected for several days. They were billed for 205,600 gallons. Water bill was $851.40 and sewer charge was $459. The water leaked into the ground. Clover told the council the Park District does lots of good things for the community, supplying the pool, ball diamonds, golf course and provide the Club House which they have just renovated.
A motion to waive the sewer bill died for lack of a second.
Burford made the motion to waive the whole bill which passed by a 5-1 vote. Harkey was the lone no vote.
In other business the council approved:
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Present were council members Jerry Burford, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Kelly Harkey, Dave Clover and Brian Covert, Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Treasurer Monalisa Graves, Attorney Chris Scholz, Water Superintendent Tim Graves, Police Chief Larry Finch, IMEG Representative Megan Crook, Dustin Detherage, Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer.