The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The minutes of two April meeting of the La Harpe City Council has been approved with the following actions by the Council.
There was discussion on hiring a new Police Chief with at least two years of service, and applications due by June 6, 2025. Shumaker made a motion to put an ad in media venues that deal directly with Law Enforcement, seconded by Lenix and all approved. The April 28 agenda will include approving Tim Edwards as Interim Police Chief.
Also, at the April 14th meeting, committee reports included down limbs reported by Public Works at the La Harpe Cemetery and that 4-H Club members from the area had volunteered and cleaned up some of the limbs. They also heard that the street department will need Cold Patch.
Daniel Carpenter reported the RO Plant has sensor’s going out which will cost $1024.80 to replace.
In time-off updates, Michael Donaldson is on vacation, and has 3 sick days left. David Little has 3 vacation days and 5 sick days left.
City Clerk McPeak requested that Council approve appropriating funds from MFT to pay Central Stone Company a bill of $198.88 and it was approved by all.
Treasurer Graves reported the furnace at La Harpe City Hall isn’t working correctly.
Mayor Hasten-Reed on behalf of the city attorney, reported the notice for Wm. Miller has expired.
The Attorney reported on waiting for the check from IMEG.
It was approved unanimously to order 200 water meters.
A summons has been issued to the Hancock County Sheriff’s department pertaining to the building on B Street.
Shumaker made a motion to have Bob’s Tree Service grind 10 stumps on City property for $700 total, and Clover seconded and all approved.
The dog issue was taken off the agenda for now but is still being worked on.
There was report of garbage being missed picked up, but it has been corrected.
City-widie clean-up was April 25.
A Joint Committee meeting for April 28th at 6 p.m. was set to discuss the Budget.
The next agenda will include discussion and action to appoint an Alderman for Ward 2 and 2 for Ward 3 for two year unexpired terms.
Clover motioned, Stevens seconded and all approved to get a new computer for the Water Dept.
Discussion Only: was a report of an open hole on a property that needs addressed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Present were: Dave Clover, Marvin Miller, Randy Shumaker, Todd Stevens, Jim Lenix, Treasurer Monalisa Graves, City Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Mayor Katherine Hasten-Reed. Amanda Donaldson was absent.
Also present were: Tim Edwards, Dan Gillett, Tim Graves, Greg Wisslead, Jim Ford, Jeanette Ford, David Little, Larry Finch, Daniel Carpenter and Chad Burt.
At the April 28th meeting, committee reports included an announcement of a Joint Committee meeting on May 12th at 6 p.m. at the La Harpe Clubhouse to discuss the City Budget.
ESDA reported completing a seminar on disaster grants.
Tim Graves reported touring the FS plant and that it was a very nice plant and he reported on water usage there.
Stainless steel valves have been installed at the water plant.
The control panel at the water plant was out from 4/19 to 4/22/25 but is fine now.
A resident in town has inquired about filling their pool.
Tim Edwards reported towing a vehicle from the B Street apartment property.
City Clerk McPeak requested Council to appropriate funds from MFT to pay Midwest Express & Hay Grinding for $150.50 which the council all approved.
Treasurer Graves noted the Shulte Supply bill had already been approved.
Mayor Hasten-Reed said the IEPA and the Attorney General will need to meet with the City.
Attorney Kurt Dittmer informed the council on a Solar Lease on Johnson ground. It would be a twenty-year lease for $2,000 per acre for 155 acres per year. It could be up to three years before anything would begin, he said. This will be on the next agenda in May.
There was no action needed on the abandoned buildings at this time.
-Lenix made the motion to accept the appointment of Dave Clover as Alderman for Ward 2, an unexpired two year term, and Randy Shumaker as Alderman for Ward 3, an unexpired 2 year term. All approved. Both were sworn in and seated at the Council.
Clover asked if the City could fill in where the stump was ground out on the City right of way with dirt and grass seed in front of his residence.
The Council went over the sidewalk replacement Policy. The city will pay half the cost.
The Council approved purchasing fish for the reservoir for $500.00.
The. Engagement Letter for the City Council was approved.
Executive Session was called at 7:47 p.m. to discuss employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific city employees ; to consider the performance of an occupant of a public office; probable/imminet litigation, and any other topics allowed.
Regular council resumed to regular session at 8:18 p.m. with the following action:
Shumaker made the motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Tim Edwards as Interim Police Chief, for a minimum of 24 hours of active patrol plus Administrative time at $27.00 per hour effective May 1, 2025. Lenix seconded the motion and all approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Present were: Dave Clover, Marvin Miller, Randy Shumaker, Jim Lenix, Treasurer Monalisa Graves, City Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Mayor Katherine Hasten-Reed,
Amanda Donaldson and Todd Stevens was absent.
Also present were: Tim Edwards, Dan Gillett, Tim Graves, Max Owsley, Kurt Dittmer and Jessica Cruz.
The next meeting was May 12th at 7:00 p.m.