LAHARPE — The city will pay Jayhawker RV Park owners Clayton and Cynthia Carr more than $1,200 because of three streetlights that were improperly installed within their electric system more than two years ago. DAMARIS Kunkler, program director for Thrive, spoke further about the community conversation in early August, and how grant money could help LaHarpe do several upgrades around town. POLICE Chief Jason Prock told the Council he was working with City Attorney Chuck Apt to modify the city’s policy affecting abandoned and disabled vehicles. THE CITY will hire Iola city employee Mike Miller to help repair a pair of water leaks because the city’s digger and back hoe are both down for repairs.
Council members voted, 4-0, with one abstention, to refund the Carrs.
The electricity from the streetlights was charged to the Carr’s electric meter after the city upgraded the park’s electric service in the summer of 2013. The error was discovered earlier this year.
To determine the compensation, the city determined that each light cost the Carrs $16.40 a month. With three lights on the system, that equaled $49.20 over the subsequent 25 months, or $1,220.
The lights will be turned off for the time being to prevent further charges, the Council decided.
Carr asked if the lights could remain on because they better illuminate streets near his park, at the intersection of U.S. 54 and Broadway Street, with the city deducting the cost of running those lights from his monthly bill.
“Why is it either I pay for these lights or you guys don’t have a streetlight at all?” Clayton Carr asked.
Councilman David Lee responded that the situation gives the Council an opportunity to take a larger view of how well LaHarpe’s streets are lighted at night.
“I don’t see this as a bad thing,” Lee said, noting that a recent community conversation sponsored by Thrive Allen County and the Kansas Health Foundation revealed local residents urged better lighting throughout town.
Councilman Ron Knavel Sr., appointed to the Council moments before the vote, declined to vote, citing his unfamiliarity with the situation.
Coincidentally, Knavel was appointed to replace Clayton Carr, who resigned his seat in April.
The other four Council members voted, 3-1, for Knavel’s appointment, with Sara’Nicole Prock opposed.
Foremost among LaHarpe’s wish list was community beautification; improving the city park; better lighting; and community activities.
Amending the policy is necessary, Prock explained, because it allows him more leeway in determining which vehicles may be restoration projects or specialty vehicles, such as racecars, and which ones truly are disabled.
City Clerk Michelle Altis figured the time and resources involved, would put the final bill at about $340.
In a related matter, Altis told the Council the city will have to send notices to residents pointing out the city’s water was not tested properly in July.
That’s because former City Superintendent Shawn Atwood collected the water sample on a Monday, then let the sample sit in City Hall overnight, before it was shipped to the Kansas Department of Environment the next day, Altis explained.
“It won’t happen again,” Altis assured the Council.
RV park owners reimbursed
