The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
La Harpe–Aug. 16, 2021 meeting
During the August 9th La Harpe Council meeting, Jack Kusek, representative for the IMEG Engineering firm which is contracted by the city, spoke with the La Harpe City Council about some changes being done to improve the city water.
Kusek, who designed the new water plant facility informed the council that the speed on the blower has been increased to add more aeration, and also the the chemical, caustic, has been discontinued and replaced by a different chemical.
Earlier in the day, Kusek had checked out some houses which had, had problems and did not detect any smell or bad tasting water.
Kusek stated before the meeting Daniel Carpenter and himself had climbed to the top of the above ground water storage tank and did not detect any odor or smell in the tank.
Kusek said there may still have to be some minor tweaks or changes to the system, but that the water did appear to be better.
Kusek also commented that the issue with the high service pumps had not been resolved. Kusek informed the council he had not had any response from Trotter Construction.
Kusek advised the council to send a certified letter to Trotter Construction and give them 10 days to start working on the pump problems.
Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed asked Kusek and La Harpe City Attorney Chris Scholz to work together and send the certified letter.
Jason Siegworth addressed the council about water issues in his yard. Siegworth said he has had standing water in his yard ever since the water main had been put in along his ditch.
Siegworth stated the water is from runoff from rains. Lavediere had installed the water main for the city and reportedly had hit a tile and patched it. The yard does not drain as it did before. Jack Kusek offered to check out the situation.
The council went into executive session to discuss possible employment of an applicant for full time police officer.
Upon re-entering their regular meeting, council unanimously approved offering Brice Haddix the full time police officer job at $40,000 annually. Police Chief Larry Finch was asked to convey the offer to Haddix.
The council discussed the tree limbs hanging out on North 2nd Street. David Little informed the council that the trees had been trimmed back 2 years ago and were in need of being trimmed again to allow farm equipment and large trucks to pass. David Little said that the street department will work on the trees.
The council unanimously approved: