HARRISBURG – The ghost of former mayor Eric Gregg—and his shady doings behind the scenes of the public eye—reared its ugly head at Harrisburg’s November 17 city council meeting, in the midst of other public business.
The rearing came in the form of the absence of a website for the city, which until a number of weeks ago had still been active…but with outdated information presented in it, including Gregg’s image and his title as “mayor” still intact. The website is currently nonexistent and links to the old page return a “page not found” message.
Commissioner report brings it about
The information about the status of the city’s site came during the Commissioner Reports, which began with Commissioner Ron Fearheiley. Fearheiley had two reports on contract negotiations and personnel, which were give in executive session.
The only public report was on the city’s website design, regarding a website contract from Terrence Henry.
Henry had originally created Harrisburg’s website, but had sold his business to another individual who the city had some problems with, which caused the website to become outdated and in disrepair. Henry has taken the website down, and has offered a proposal to redo the new website. The proposal was a onetime fee of $800 dollars, and would give the administrative ability to members of the City Council.
The council was about to accept the proposal, when former City Treasurer Charlie Will spoke up as a citizen in the meeting, asking if the council was aware that Henry had already been paid $1,700 to create a website. The website was created while Will worked for the city, but was never launched.
Will reported to the council that he had seen the website, which was completed under Eric Gregg’s supervision, which Henry had never launched.
The council was very displeased to hear of this, and chose to hold off on making any further action in this topic. Fearheiley stated that he would be calling Henry the following day, and Commissioner John McPeek agreed, saying “We definitely have to question him about this.”
Drainage issues
In Old Business, Brown & Roberts brought forward an issue with drainage systems that were installed after the floods of 2011. The system has worked very well, but the property that it was installed in is farming land that is owned by Terry Maynard. The drainage system has caused erosion to the land, and Maynard is asking that there be repairs made to reduce the erosion. The repairs will cost around $1,000, but it is a necessity so that the land can be harvested. Maynard spoke to the council, saying “We have lost quite a lot of a charge.” The council voted to make the repairs, so that Maynard will have land that can be more accessible for harvesting.
Brown & Roberts also brought forward a change order for work that is being done on the Lagoon Outfall. The city holds a contract with Mott Excavating for the project, but with winter freezing the ground the project is being put to a halt until spring. Brown & Roberts asked that the council provide an extension on the contract until the spring thaw, which was accepted and passed.
New business
New Business was also started by Brown & Roberts, addressing a new Bar Rake Screen that needs to be installed in the sewage plant. The piece of equipment is being installed in the most confined area of the plant, with the intention of potentially saving workers lives in the future. The purpose of this particular piece of equipment is to remove trash of all kinds from the bar screen in the plant, which had to previously be done by a worker climbing down into the pit in which the screen is located and removing the refuse by using a potato pitch fork. The equipment is going to cost the city $377,792, but Commissioner Fearheiley, who had seen the previous method of cleaning the screen, stated “It’s a must for the plant.” The purchase of the new equipment was approved, and has been ordered from Hare Plumbing.
The new TIF District, tornado funds, lake leases
Next, Attorney Todd Bittle presented the three new ordinances that would adopt and put into effect the new “Downtown TIF” in Harrisburg. The first was The TIF Plan and Redevelopment ordinance, number 1640, which accepted the TIF plan for redevelopment. The second was the Designation of the TIF Area ordinance, number 1641, which accepted the outlined TIF zones as specified at the TIF hearing on November 7. The third and final ordinance was number 1642, Tax Increment Ordinance, which therein adopted the TIF. With all three ordinances accepted and passed, the city has official began the 23 year long commitment into tax redistribution.
McPeek gave his report, which was more payments to Roy Adams services for the repairs and rebuilding being done to tornado damaged or destroyed homes. In total, $131,565 was paid to Roy Adams Services for work done by the Saline County Clerk, Walker & Walker, Integrity Roofing & Exteriors, Rumsey Construction, S.Q. Carpentry, and Bryan’s Concrete & Masonry.
Dale Fowler reported that the Lake Lease ordinance had been modified and was ready to be approved with the new amendments. The new ordinance changes the fees that renters will pay per year for lake property by $100. Harrisburg residents will pay $400 yearly for their property, and non-Harrisburg renters will pay $450. The City of Harrisburg is also now given the right to select any tenant to the properties, and can deny renters if they feel that they could be problematic.
Fowler also reported that anyone who wants to rent the Pruett Building must now pay rent and deposit fees before a date will be reserved for the renter. There has been an ongoing problem with people reserving a date for a rental and then never paying for the date, which has cost the city money.