Contributing writer
The Tampa city office was crowded May 1 when Tampa City Council met. Mayor Tim Svoboda had requested members of the men’s softball team attend the meeting to discuss the issue of balls being hit out of the ballpark and allegedly doing damage at the home of Councilman Don Zaideman, who lives across from the diamond.
Cody Schafer, Greg Holub, Jeff Riffel, and Nathan Funk represented the team. Others in attendance were Steve Jirak, Russell Kerbs, Greg Berens, Francie Mueller, Amber Peterson, and Gary and Carol Spohn.
“All I’m asking is for you to be responsible for not damaging my property,” Zaideman said.
“We’ve put up the net,” Schafer said. “We’ve done everything we can to make you happy.”
The player said playing with cork-centered balls, as proposed by the city, would put them at a disadvantage in league competition.
Zaideman said it would be more impressive to hit home runs over center field instead of “aiming” for his house. Schafer explained the kinds of pitches that would invariably go over left field and that batters cannot control the direction of a hit.
Svoboda said he had been looking at the net, which had been stretched on the side of the field, and believed it could be raised possibly 10 to 12 feet higher in the middle.
“The higher you can get the net the more it will help but there will still be a few balls that go over it,” Schafer said.
Concerns were expressed about someone being injured by balls.
“In all the years teams have played here, I don’t believe anyone has ever been hurt,” Kerbs said.
It was decided to obtain stronger cables for the net and try to raise it higher.
Other business
Grant administrator Rose Mary Saunders told the council there was to be an inspection May 2 at the sewer pond by Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Councilmen Don Zaideman and Wilbert Backhus agreed to attend.
A $4,059 payment to APAC-Shears Kansas will be made only after necessary paperwork is completed and sent to Saunders. Council approved a $2,235 payment to Saunders.
An application will be submitted by Tampa Community Association for a Small Communities Improvement Program grant to improve the former high school site as a park. Tampa has received four grants since 1990, with the sewer project being the most recent.
At the April council meeting, the council had voted to lock public bathrooms on Main Street except for special occasions because some residents had stolen large quantities of water from the bathrooms through a hose.
“We built those restrooms years ago,” Paul Backhus said, “and I don’t think we should let one family spoil it for everyone.”
“I think we should try having them open again,” Wilbert Backhus said.
The council agreed and the bathrooms will reopen.
Permission was granted to allow someone to borrow tables and chairs from the senior center for a graduation party.
A speed zone on 330th Road through the city was discussed as a way to minimize dust. Svoboda said he contacted Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub and was told the change had to be approved by Kansas Department of Transportation. Holub offered to contact the department.
Svoboda suggested 45-mph speed signs be moved from Limestone Road. Other signs will also be necessary.
A spring cleanup day is planned for May 27.
Tampa Triple T’s 4-H Club requested and received permission to erect a sign on the north end of Main Street to read, “4-H Members Welcome You.” The council decided to replace the Lions Club sign with the 4-H sign since the Lions Club had disbanded.
A lawnmower purchase for $750 was proposed. The council discussed whether the purchase would be more cost effect than paying someone to mow. More research will be done to determine if the mower will be adequate.
Willis Herbel asked about areas that needed to be mowed behind buildings that Jim Clemmer used to mow. The council determined the city would mow those areas and bill the property owners.
Other bills approved for payment included $93 for a service call on a refrigerator at the senior center and $320 for training for wastewater manager Don Beisel.