The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

New City Alderman

by Michael Rodeffer, The Quill

The first order of business at the La Harpe City Council meeting Monday evening was the approval of Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed’s appointment of Jim Lenix as Alderman in Ward 1 to replace Brian Covert. Lenix was unanimously approved and sworn in by Clerk Lucretia McPeak and was immediately seated with the council to begin work for the City of La Harpe.

The action took place on Monday evening (Jan. 9) at the La Harpe City Council regular meeting

The 7:00 p.m. meeting at La Harpe City Hall, was called to order with Mayor Hasten-Reed leading in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Randy Shumaker reported to the council that since Jackson Disposal sold to LRS, there have been several complaints on garage pickup. Shumaker said that he will call LRS and discuss the complaints for resolutions to the issues.

Alderman Dave Clover read off a list of titles he had brought from the City’s Lock Box to determine what needed to be kept and what needed to be discarded which the council discussed and made decisions.

Trevor Finch, city employee, informed the council that David Little’s old city truck had been sold at auction for $3,000.

Alderman Clover also discussed with the council the current purchasing policy, but no action was voted upon.

In other action, the council unanimously approved:

• cleaning out the ESDA trailer to ready it for the next Sullivan auction in March.
• closing the Reservoir for the winter to be reopened when weather permits,
• ACH acceptance of water bills,
• the 2022 December minutes, treasurers report, and paying of bills.

Several agenda items were tabled including action on:

• Getting all trucks lettered, and
• Approve loan terms for 2018 Dodge truck.

EXECUTIVE SESSION was called with expectation that three agenda items would be approved under Old Business when they returned:

• Discuss and take action to approve Mayor’s appointment of Police Chief,
• Discuss and take action to hire and approve Mayor’s appointment of Assistant Police Chief,
• Discuss and take action to retain Larry Finch as part time Police Officer.

But after a very lengthy session, and upon return to regular session at 9:57 p.m., no action was taken on #5 and #6 (appointment of La Harpe Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief.)

The Council moved that agenda items #5 and #6 under Old Business be on the next meeting’s agenda, and a motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to retain former Police Chief Larry Finch as a part time Police Officer at $18.00 hourly.

The regular meeting was adjourned at 10:01 p.m..

Twenty-one members and guests were present at the meeting:

Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed, Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Treasurer Monalisa Graves, Aldermen, Dave Clover, Deanna Stambaugh, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Kelley Harkey and Jim Lenix; ESDA Representative Max Owsley, La Harpe Police Officers: Scott Rosson Lynn Hoyt, Larry Finch, and Tim Gladu; City employees: Tim Graves, David Little, Trevor Finch; and Guests: Ashley Flynn, Todd Stevens, Dan Gillett and Quill Reporter Michael Rodeffer.