The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
At the March 27th La Harpe City Council meeting, the council unanimously voted to let Becca Williamson at the Hometown Insurance office on Main Street be the collector for water bills effective April 1st.
Jake and Kelli Allen asked to be relieved of the job due to lack of time.
The La Harpe council also unanimously approved buying the
VFD drive to repair the controls on the well 2. The cost of the materials and labor were to be $11,239. Dan Carpenter explained the controls have not worked since last June when a power surge damaged the controls. Carpenter stated a power pole down by the school had exploded and that the VFD drive had not worked since that time. It was suggested to turn the item into insurance.
It was discussed to put the city insurance policies up for bids. Motion unanimously passed to have Greg Wisslead notify RMA (current insurance company) that the city will be taking bids for next year’s insurance. According to the current contract, RMA had to be notified 4 months in advance of the city’s desire to rebid the contract.
Randy Shumaker noted he had been in contact with LRS Disposal (LRS has bought Jackson Disposal) and was working toward a longer term agreement.
Council unanimously approved the treasurer’s report and paying of the bills.
Randy Shumaker mentioned either buying or renting a brush roller to sweep rocks back onto the street. Shumaker noted to rent a roller for a week would cost $1,600. Shumaker also noted Trevor Finch had one that he would sell to the city for $800. Finch was willing to try it on the city tractor to make sure it would work okay. This was not on the agenda so no action could be taken.
Shumaker also noted the city has 3 lawn mowers and one of them is pretty worn out. He suggested budgeting for a commercial mower in the upcoming year. Shumaker also stated Jamie Hallowell had a used mower for sale for $6,500.
Shumaker informed the council that the truck and plow and salt spreader had sold for $9,250 and the ESDA trailer had sold for $850 on Sullivan’s sale in March. Clover noted the $9,250 was supposed to be put toward the loan at the bank for the Dodge truck.
City Clerk Lucretia McPeak informed the council that the liquor and gaming license renewals will be on the next agenda on April 10th.
ESDA representative Max Owsley stated he would like to work with the USDA Conservation District to create a “pollinator plot” at the reservoir. Owsley asked if he could be allowed to clean up the “Mueller Plot” at the reservoir and would like to take care of it. Council verbally agreed it would be a good idea.
Interim Police Chief Lynn Hoyt noted the furnace was not working in the city hall. Hoyt also noted he had ordered uniform shirts for Willow Quivey. Hoyt noted he was looking for a radar unit to put in the Ford.
City Clerk McPeak noted the council needed to begin to prepare the budget. Council decided to have a joint committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. on April 10th before the regular council meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Present at the meeting was Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed; council members Deanna Stambaugh, Kelly Harkey, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Jim Lenix, Dave Clover; city clerk Lucretia McPeak; city treasurer Monalisa Graves; police chief Lynn Hoyt; city employees Tim Graves and Daniel Carpenter; ESDA representative Max Owsley; and guests Todd Stevens, Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer.