LAHARPE The LaHarpe City Council has some questions about what could be a hefty electric bill facing the city in the coming months.
Council members discussed briefly Wednesday a notice from Westar, the citys energy supplier, about the cost of replacing an electric substation south of town.
The city has been informed it will be charged more than $240,000 for the substations replacement.
The old substation was destroyed in a March 2017 storm.
The notice leaves several questions, Mayor Mae Crowell noted, most notably whether the old substation was insured, and why the city should be forced to pay for Westars property.
Roughly 74 percent of the electricity going through the substation goes to LaHarpe. The rest goes to other customers in southern Allen County.
Council members asked City Clerk Michelle Altis to invite a Westar representative to a future meeting to discuss the matter.
PROPERTY CLEANUP
was front and center once again, as Council members unanimously approved condemnation orders for properties at 1010 S. McKinley St. and 804 S. Broadway St.
The owners have 60 days to clean and clear the properties, or the city will do it for them.
Council members also accepted a bid from Rays Metal Depot to demolish a house and several outbuildings at 403 S. Washington St.
Rays bid of $135 per hour, at a total cost not to exceed $3,200, was the only one received.
I know it sounds high, but theres a lot of stuff that needs to be cleared, Crowell said, including trees and a number of junked cars.
Council members also approved a 15-day extension to the owner of a property at 1413 S. Broadway St., where substantial improvements have been made.
RANDY CROWELL,
