The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Michael Rodeffer, Quill Reporter
At the December 9th La Harpe City Council meeting, the Council unanimously approved moving the location of the council meetings to the La Harpe Community Club House at 702 West Main Street beginning with the first meeting in January, 2025 which will be January 13th at 7:00 p.m.
The La Harpe Council meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. The change of location was made to comply with ADA regulations.
La Harpe Council also approved Tax Levy Ordinance #2004-3. The budget appropriation and the tax levy remained the same as last year.
Under public comment, Jim and Jeanette Ford addressed the council about property at 101 North B Street, formerly a Mary Davier Hospital, clinic, nursing home, and finally an apartment building.
The Fords stated they were concerned about the safety of the neighborhood and safety for the school children passing by. Mr. Ford also noted that there was trash blowing around and across the road into their yard.
Mr. Ford also noted there was no gas nor electricity in the building and that a gas generator runs inside the building for 16-18 hours each day and is very noisey, expecially at night.
Mr. Ford said, the person or persons staying there were not authorized to live there as there has been signs posted on the doors to evacuate. Mr. Ford concluded with how unsightly it was for the neighborhood.
After much discussion and options, the council decided to pursue legal ways to get the property cleaned up.
Jason Jones, IDOT engineer, was present to discuss the radar speed zone signs in town. He noted the signs were put in place without legal permits, and state regulations were not followed when installed. Mr. Jones said he was there to assist the city and help and to locate the signs where they are allowed, and do it at a minimal cost to the city and state.
The council, after discussion, decided that moving the signs farther away from the school zone, didn't make much sense. Then the council unanimously approved a motion to have city workers remove the signs.
The council went into Executive Session to discuss a settlement offer from IMEG. Upon re-entering the regular meeting, the council accepted the $75,000 offer from IMEG concerning the past issues with the water plant.
In other action, the La Harpe City Council unanimously approved…
Present at the meeting were:
Mayor Kat Hastens-Reed, Council members- Jim Lenix, Todd Stevens, Dave Clover, Randy Shoemaker; City Clerk Lucretia McPeak, City Treasurer Monalisa Graves, IDOT representative Jason Jones, City employees- Tim Graves, Daniel Carpenter, David Little; Guests- Jim and Jeanette Ford, Dan Gillett and Quill Reporter Michael Rodeffer.
Attorney Chris Scholz arrived at 7:07 p.m. and council member Amanda Donaldson arrived at 8:10 p.m..
Council entered executive session at 8:25 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:49 p.m.. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m..
The next La Harpe City Council meeting will be at the new location of La Harpe Community Club House, 702 West Main, La Harpe, on January 13, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.. All meetings are open to the public.