The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
Randy Shumaker was unanimously elected Mayor Pro-Tem since Mayor Katherine Hasten-Reed was absent.
The La Harpe Council unanimously approved a motion to spend up to $250,000 of motor fuel tax money to repair and upgrade the city streets.
Estimates last fall for grinding and packing streets plus oil and chipping one block was a cost of about $4,000. Councilman Dave Clover informed the council that the oil price had gone up substantially since last year. Council will work with IMEG Engineering to set up a plan for the work and a more exact cost.
Councilman Clover, chairman of legislative and finance committee, outlined his thoughts on spending the American Rescue Plan money. Clover itemized the following expenditures:
Clover stated the city has received $77,772 and will receive another $77,772 in September for a total of $155,544, which would still leave over $10,000 left to spend later.
During the meeting the council unanimously approved the purchase of 2 new pickups, one for the Water Superintendent Tim Graves and one for Street Superintendent David Little. Council also unanimously approved 1/2 the cost of new school zone signs.
The demolition of the three properties and the new baseball court was approved at the March 14th meeting.
Council unanimously approved purchasing a back-up pump for the Archer Street lift station at a cost of $5,000.
Council unanimously approved the treasurer’s report and paying of bills.
Councilman Brian Covert informed the council the city wide clean-up day was set for May 6th.
Water Superintendent Tim Graves informed the council that the city was in need of a new probe for the lift station. Graves explained the old probe had been damaged and the probe has sensors at certain levels to tell the pumps when to come on and the probe is more accurate than floats. Graves noted the water department also needs an extended sprayer wand to clean the floats at the lift station. Both items are slated to be on the next meetings’ agenda.
Graves also informed the council that the city crew had fixed the gutters at the city park shelter house.
Treasurer Monalisa Graves reported the city had received the 5th payment from the “Rebuild Illinois” fund.
The council scheduled a special joint committee meeting to work on next year’s budget for 5:30 p.m. on April 11th. The regular council meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on April 11th.
Council adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Present were council member, Kelly Harkey, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Brian Covert and Dave Clover; treasurer Monalisa Grave; clerk Lucretia McPeak; water superintendent Tim Graves; and guests Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer