Harvey to sell six public works vehicles in Crestwood auction

The Harvey City Council approved a resolution authorizing the city to auction six outdated vehicles from the public works department on Sept. 28.

Public Works Superintendent Richard Seput said the department worked with an auction company last month to sell five dilapidated cars and secured a total of $7,500. Seput said the vehicles up for auction have “taken a beating,” and it’s in the city’s best interest to sell them to professionals rather than put more money towards repairs.

“In the past years, we didn’t really do the four-year, five-year turnover where we would buy new vehicles. We just kept throwing money into these vehicles to keep them running,” Seput said. “It’s to the point where it’s unsafe for our employees to get in them.”

City officials are anticipating a financial return similar to the previous auction. “We may not see much, but we’ll take it instead of just [the vehicles] sitting in our yard collecting dust and looking poorly,” said interim mayor Shirley Drewenski.

The auction will take place at America’s Auto Auction in Crestwood and will be open to the public. Seput said he will alert the aldermen when the dates are set.

Alderwoman calls for financial transparency

Ald. Colby Chapman (2nd) said she would not approve bills leading up to the Sept. 28 meeting because she did not receive a copy of the agenda from the finance committee meeting. 

Drewenski explained that committee agendas typically only go to committee members and are posted at the meeting site and on the city’s website 48 hours before council meetings, as required by the Open Meetings Act. However, some argued that the finance committee agenda was not posted online.

“For the past two and half years, I’ve always received an agenda as an additional attachment,” Chapman said. She and Ald. Tracy Key (4th) voted against the bills list, but the motion still passed with a majority. 

During aldermanic comment, Chapman called for “stronger internal controls, timely financial reporting, and greater transparency.” 

“Tough questions are a part of governing, particularly when we are discussing taxpayer dollars,” Chapman said. She referenced the city’s auditor not being able to provide a clean opinion on portions of the 2023 financial audit because of “identified limitations.”

“Let’s just continue to move with fidelity, council, to our responsibilities, […] and to the residents that elected us to serve,” she said.  Chapman also requested the city to start live streaming public meetings so residents can hear discussions firsthand.

Gravel-filled potholes create street problems

City officials warned residents about taking the city’s pothole issues into their own hands.

Ald. Rosa Arambula (1st) said she asked the public works department to fill potholes on Carse Ave. between 158th and 159th streets. However, a resident had filled the holes with gravel before the department could begin work, and residents are now complaining about gravel hitting parked vehicles when cars drive over it. Seput said that asphalt poured into the potholes will not fully cure unless the loose sediment is removed. 

“That’s when residents want to help, but actually, it’s causing extra work,” Drewenski said. “It’s going to take a little bit longer to clear the street […] so we have to be careful when we take on these roles ourselves.”

‘Trunk or Treat’ event with Harvey Police Department

The Harvey Police Department is hosting a “Trunk or Treat” event on Oct. 30. 

The event will take place at the police facility on 154th St. and runs from 3:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. There will be a contest for best decorated trunk and a costume contest for children ages 12 and under.

“We look at Trunk or Treat as a safer alternative than kids walking up and down the street at night, walking up to houses where they’re unfamiliar,” said interim Harvey Police Chief Dale Mitchell. He invited residents to bring their children and dress up their cars for the event. “It’s a good time.”