LAHARPE Keep those clippings off the street.
LaHarpe City Council members approved Wednesday a new ordinance that makes it illegal for residents to mow in a manner that spews grass clippings on to nearby roadways.
Council members cited long-term damage to the chip-seal road surface and safety hazards for those on bicycles or motorcycles.
That said, the city could and should exercise discretion in handing out tickets, City Attorney Fred Works warned.
Please define that (discretion) for me, responded Penny Miller, the citys code enforcement officer, the one who most likely will be the one citing violators.
Councilman David Lee provided an example: His ditch abuts a street with loose rocks that he would rather not see propelled toward his house, so he still will mow the outer strip with the clippings discharged into the street.
But afterward, he usually makes a pass along the street with his mower to disperse those clippings back into the yard.
Mayor Mae Crowell noted that clippings in ditches may clog drainage whistles.
Still, the city would be better off having firefighters or city crews periodically clean out those whistles than have to repair or replace streets, Councilman Danny Ware Jr. responded.
Thats because a thick layer of grass clippings left on the street tends to decay, turn to dirt and spur further grass growth, which then compromises the surfaces integrity.
For those concerned about clogged ditches, Ware had another response: Thats why God invented rakes.
COUNCIL members also approved an ordinance that pushes back the due date for utility bills from the 10th to the 15th day of each month. Shutoff days, typically on the 25th day, will remain unchanged.
RECENT FLOODING along the Neosho River sparked concern in Iola that the citys water plant would have to shut down if the floodwater was high enough.
And while LaHarpe residents also voiced concern, the citys water service was never in danger of being disrupted, noted Chuck Richey of Public Wholesale Water District No. 5, which serves LaHarpe, Moran, Colony and other nearby areas.
Thats because District 5s treatment area is well above flood stage.
Torrential rains May 21-24 briefly sparked concern that the Neosho would reach heights unseen since the 2007 flood. But even then, District 5s treatment plant wasnt threatened by the floodwater, Richey said.
The district also has the capability to provide water to Iola in case of emergency, although both communities would then likely be placed on water usage restrictions, Richey said.