The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
The La Harpe City Council approved a 2 year contract for mowing at the La Harpe Cemetery. The contract is for $17,900 per year to Jamie Hallowell. Hallowell has been doing the mowing at the city cemetery for the last 8 years.
La Harpe Council also heard the annual report from the Johnson Trust Resolution from Attorney Kurt Dittmer. Dittmer noted the trust brought in approximately $400,000 this last year. Dittmer noted the city is trustee and La Harpe School is the benefactor.
Dittmer also noted the farm leases are in their final year of a 3 year lease and told the council to decide if they wanted to renew the leases, ask for an increase in rent or put the farms up for bids.
Council unanimously accepted the Johnson Trust Resolution and will have it on the next agenda on February 26th to decide what to do with the leases.
Tim Graves informed the council they would need to fine a new water bill collector as the current collector is quitting. Graves noted he has been asking a few different businesses but has not found anyone yet.
Police Chief Lynn Hoyt noted the city is still getting several calls on dogs running loose. Fines are issued for the offense.
Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed noted the deadline was nearing for FEMA storm damages to be sent. The mayor noted invoices had been sent in and FEMA replied back that all invoices needed to be more specific.
The mayor also noted herself and Randy Shumaker had been working to get all the necessary paperwork sent back.
Hasten-Reed explained approximately $190,000 of claims had been sent in and stated that number less $25,000 which has been received from their insurance company should be accepted. Hasten-Reed noted the city would be responsible for 25% and FEMA should cover the rest.
Council approved repairing yards damaged by recent tree removal. Smoothing out of yards and reseeding will be done as weather permits. The tree removal needed to be done before the deadline to send in FEMA invoices.
In other business the council unanimously approved:
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Present at the meeting was Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed, Council Member, Amanda Donaldson, Randy Shumaker, Todd Stevens, Marvin Miller, Dave Clover; Kurt Dittmer, Police Chief Lynn Hoyt; city treasurer Monalisa Graves; City clerk Lucretia McPeak; city employees, Tim Graves, Michael Donaldson, David Little, Jamie Hallowell, Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer. Council member Jim Lenix was absent.