LAHARPE With recent improvements in and around LaHarpe, including a much-improved electric distribution system, David Lee sees potential for growth.
In particular, the LaHarpe City Councilman sees land near the citys sewage lagoons as a prime location for an industrial park.
He brought up the notion at Wednesdays City Council meeting, including what would be necessary to draw an industry to LaHarpe.
Aside from extending utilities to the site, near the intersection of Sixty and Monroe streets, the city would need to look at rezoning the property to industrial.
City Attorney Fred Works encouraged Lee to reach out to Allen County and Gas officials for their input, as well as Thrive Allen Countys economic development team.
COUNCIL members tackled several topics at Wednesdays meeting:
The Council agreed to purchase a new body cam apparatus for Police Chief Mike Jewell, at a cost of $700.
The city will spend up to $150 for flower pots to decorate Main Street. A local couple has agreed to take care of the floral displays during the growing season. The Council will reach out to LaHarpe PRIDE to see if that organization would be willing to help with the costs of the flowers.
The Council agreed to offer a rental agreement to Amber Tisdale, who wants to sell jewelry from the old City Hall building on Main Street. Tisdale would pay 150 a month in rent.
Agreed to pay full-time employees $120 apiece as a Christmas bonus. Part-timers will get $100 each.
Amended the citys employee handbook to stipulate all employees must return all city-owned gear if they leave their job, or face financial penalties to pay for the equipments replacement.
Learned from Works that there is no standard city ordinance regarding miniature homes. An agreement has been reached with Ray Maloney and Fort Scott Community College for Maloney to purchase multiple such structures built at FSCCs construction trades class at the Regional Rural Tech Center. With no state ordinances to follow, the city has the ability to draft its own rules, Works concluded.
Council members encouraged Jon Reiter to reach out to LaHarpe PRIDE about portraying Santa Claus for Christmas. Reiter has portrayed St. Nick on a nearly annual basis since 1980, and is eager to do so again for the city. Details will be finalized next week.
