Building demolition in LaHarpe moves closer

Mayor Ken Brown told the LaHarpe city council that he hopes an agreement is signed by the end of the week to deed the former meat locker building to the LaHarpe Fire Protection District.

The fire department plans to work with the city to tear down the building once the deed transfer is complete. One wall of the building has already collapsed. The building does need an asbestos inspection before demolition can begin. The cost for that is estimated between $500 and $1,500.

The council anticipates a report about the process of tearing down an abandoned building near The Oasis Tap at a council meeting in August. That building already has an asbestos inspection.

City auditor Greg Butler of Reusch, Butler and Associates told the council he believes the city can transfer funds from its sewer accounts to the general fund to help with expenses in tearing down the building. The city asked about the possibility since they have about $140,000 between the three sewer funds. Treasurer Marcia Neff said the sewer bond reserve CDs, about $78,000, come due Nov. 15.

Butler reported the city's financial situation was in good shape. His audit results showed the city meeting most of its budgeted amounts and an increase in most accounts. He also provided a spreadsheet showing the last five years as a comparison to this past fiscal year.

The council set Wednesday, Sept. 3, as the date for auctioning two city lots. The 5 p.m. auction is at city hall. Dave Hobby of Hobby Auction Service is charging the city 5 percent of the selling price. The city is handling the advertising.

The auction requires 20 percent down, with the balance due within 15 days. Bidders must meet the minimum bid for either property, which is 80 percent of their assessed valuation. Winning buyers pay the 2008 property taxes, if any, on each property.

Brown said his meeting with engineer Eric Moe of McClure Engineering showed that the storm sewer from Archer Street to under Rt. 9 is mostly ok with a few bad spots. Moe suggested lining the north part of the storm sewer and rebuilding the south side. He plans to draw it up as two different projects so the city can bid one part or both parts at the same time.

The council decided to pursue a Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) housing grant through the Western Illinois Regional Council. The CDAP grant is similar to the housing grant the city received late last year. The city pays $1,800 for application. If they are not chosen, they can re-apply the following year at no extra cost.

The CDAP Housing Rehabiliation Grant Program assists eligible CDAP Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program homeowners to make necessary repairs and improvements to their homes in order to eliminate health and safety problems, building code violations, and to preserve the long-term integrity of the units. Housing rehabilitation work is completed by local contractors who have been selected by homeowners and who meet all insurance requirements.

There is over $1,300 in the Jack Sharpe memorial fund. The family has suggested a bench in the city park as one possible project with the money.

The check for the $10,000 grant for the Senior Citizens Center has not arrived yet, but the money was okayed by the state.

Brown is contacting the railroad company to have them clean up weeds along the tracks through LaHarpe. He is also waiting for estimates from the Christian Church board for sidewalk repairs at the church.

The city is soliciting bids for repair to a section of sidewalk and adding a new retaining wall on F Street.

In other news, the council:

€ Approved payment of $81,794.24, minus a 5 percent retainer, to Laverdiere Construction for completed work.

€ Is painting parking stripes on the cement slab at the cemetery for semi parking.