LAHARPE — LaHarpe may soon toughen its stance on delinquent utility bills.
City Council members discussed at their monthly meeting Wednesday whether the city’s policy of granting extensions for its utility bills is too lax.
City Attorney Chuck Apt said LaHarpe is the only community “that I know of” that allows customers to extend the due date on their utility bills past the scheduled disconnection day.
Councilman Harry Lee Jr. noted that many of the extension requests tended to come from the same customers each month. All requests must be made in person before the council.
And while many of those who requested extensions eventually pay their bills, many do not, leaving it up to other customers and taxpayers to take up the slack.
“The city still has to pay for that electricity,” Lee said.
Lee’s motion to approve this month’s requests, “recognizing this program may come to halt,” almost didn’t pass because fellow Councilman Gerald Clay still was opposed.
Clay, too, suggested that the city end its policy of granting the extensions. Clay differed with Lee’s motion, however, because he wanted the practice ended immediately.
With only three council members at the meeting — one of the five seats is vacant and Councilman Ivan Trester was absent — Lee’s motion for this month’s extensions failed 2-1, with Clay opposed. Councilman Mike Peres voted in favor.
Clay relented when Mayor Cynthia Carr suggested the issue be discussed in depth at the council’s Nov. 10 meeting. A second vote to allow the extension for this month passed 3-0.
Apt said he would draw up a proposed ordinance, perhaps moving back the due date for utility bills, or setting up a schedule in which customers could pay off their bills in two segments each month.
In a related matter, councilmen will discuss the vacant council seat — Ron Knavel Sr. announced his resignation in September — at their November meeting.
THE CITY library, open for less than a month, will extend its hours.
Council members approved a request from volunteer Mary Ann Clay to have the library open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Up to now, the library had been open only three days a week.
Having the library open longer will allow more children and adults more time to access the library, Clay said.
The drop box library is staffed solely by volunteers. Clay said several have offered their services for the longer hours.
Council members approved a $75 petty cash fund for library volunteers to purchase supplies.
The library is in City Hall.
COUNCIL MEMBERS also approved a number of requests from the LaHarpe Days Homecoming Committee regarding its Oct. 29 Halloween party.
The city will waive its rental fee, noting the committee’s primary function is to serve the community.
The council also agreed that the committee could host hayrack rides that evening from City Hall to the park and a bonfire at the park, provided the committee receives permission from LaHarpe Police Chief Brian Crites.
Barb Crites, Chief Crites’ wife, is the LaHarpe Days committee chair.
Crites said a number of changes are afoot for the annual festival, including its date. The 2011 celebration will be moved to June 25 to coincide with the annual LaHarpe alumni banquet.
“We’re trying to make this a true community celebration,” Barb Crites said.
COUNCILMEN also asked Brian Crites to report back in November with possible solutions to deal with the city’s exploding stray cat population.
